Queenscliff cabins furore

Mayor rounds on ‘bullying’ opponents

QUEENSCLIFF’S mayor has launched a scathing attack on “bullying” and “intimidation” tactics from some sections of the community opposing a plan to build eco cabins at Shortland’s Bluff.

Mayor Tony Francis addressed a heated council meeting on Thursday night, as the Borough of Queenscliffe seemingly backed down from the controversial planned location of the cabins, in the shadow the town’s almost 200-year-old lighthouse.

Councillors unanimously passed a motion calling for a report into the relocation of the cabins.

Cr Francis’ attack was met with disbelief and anger when he accused community members and the media of having a hidden agenda to take away Queenscliff’s independence.

“The perception I have of some aspects of the community and media in reporting this manner — and it’s not only been this manner, it’s been a number of critical large projects of the borough — is that there appears to be a very clear hidden agenda to undermine and drag down this borough and take away its independence,” he said.

Many attendees stormed out of the meeting in disgust at the mayor’s allegations, with some shouting, “you wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for us” and “these are people that fought for the borough”.

Defending his council in the face of a public backlash lasting months, Cr Francis alleged that councillors and council officers had “experienced threats, intimidation harass- ment and bullying over differing opinions”.

“A mature community is able to discuss differing opinions and work through them to achieve outcomes,” he said.

President of the Point Lonsdale Civic Association Fay Agterhuis labelled the outburst “unprecedented” and said her dealings with the council had always been polite and respectful.

“It was a chance to chastise the community in a controlled environment where they couldn’t answer back,” Ms Agterhuis said. “This is a community that asks questions, is becoming more vocal and is not willing to just listen and be told.”

Under the council’s new proposal, the eco cabins could be relocated to the southeast portion of the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve and replace seven existing cabins in that area.