Controversial makeover approved
A CONTROVERSIAL $600,000 proposal to redevelop the Walkerville foreshore will proceed.
South Gippsland Shire Council last Wednesday voted to support the Walkerville Foreshore Committee of Management’s proposal for roadworks, car parking, sea wall works and native vegetation removal at Bayside Drive.
The proposal was amended the Walkerville Bluewater Boating and Angling Club raised concerns about loss of car parking and lack of consultation by the foreshore committee.
The revised proposal includes 15 car and trailer spaces, 19 car only spaces and multi-use parallel parking spaces that can accommodate a further 16 car and trailer spaces, or 43 car only spaces. There will also be new turning areas built.
The sea wall works will protect the land from erosion, separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and improve seating, drainage and weed management.
Foreshore committee president Bill Bray told council, “Our priority has been to save the caravan park and the infrastructure from which we get the income to advance the second stage of the hall area and where the parking is.”
Council will contribute $130,000 to the project and the foreshore committee will seek funding from the State Government.
Cr Mohya Davies described the project as “a solid proposal by a hard working foreshore committee”.
“I believe the foreshore committee has copped a lot of criticism undeservedly over this,” she said.
“They have designed something that is very workable in a limited space.”
Cr Andrew McEwen believed some elements of the Walkerville community could appeal the proposal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
He suggested council defer the matter and said the community had been poorly consulted about the project.
Cr Lorraine Brunt said the erosion needed to be addressed sooner than later to avoid more costly works in the future.
Walkerville holiday home owner Don Atkins said the final plan actually reduced the number of carparking spots now offered.
“The ratepayers of the shire have not been given the opportunity say ‘aye’ or ‘nay’,” he said.
On the way: from left, South Gippsland Shire councillors Kieran Kennedy and Mohya Davies discuss works for the Walkerville foreshore with foreshore committee president Bill Bray.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Aug 30 2016. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
