Henderson cold on Bluff cabins plan
FEDERAL MP Sarah Henderson will lead a community meeting this weekend in opposition to a development her own government funded.
The Corangamite MP claims she has “always had reservations” about the controversial eco-cabins development at Shortlands Bluff and did not know the accommodation was part of the Destination Queenscliff project she campaigned to receive $3.5 million for under the National Stronger Regions Fund.
“I am very proud that our government has delivered to Queenscliff $3.5 million under the National Stronger Regions Fund. That said, I was not told by council in advance that its NSFR application included funding for the cabins,” she said.
However, Borough of Queenscliffe deputy mayor Susan Salter said Ms Henderson had been fully briefed by the council.
“Council is concerned that the federal Member for Corangamite (Ms Henderson) has misunderstood earlier discussions with the council regarding the eco-cabins in the Destination Queenscliff project,” the deputy mayor said.
“(She)has been fully briefed by Council. This includes a briefing by all councillors on the proposed funding application to the Federal Government conducted on 18 November 2015. This covered all components of the pro- ject, including the eco-cabins.”
In a statement to the Geelong Advertiser earlier this month Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Tony Francis said NSFR money would be directly spent on the accommodation portion of the project.
“Funding for six of the 10 ecocabins will be provided under the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund. This funding is confirmed,” he said.
“Council has lodged an application with the State Government for funding for the remaining four eco-cabins.”
Ms Henderson announced yesterday she would be on site to discuss the development at noon Sunday and advise residents about how to stop it through an emergency heritage listing.
“People power matters and I want to ensure the community’s voice is heard loud and clear,” she said. “I will also be discussing how the community can make submissions to include Shortland’s Bluff in the proposed National Heritage Listing of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve.”
She said it was not the appropriate place to locate the cabins.