People power wins in eco-cabin wrangle
ANGRY VOICES SWAY COUNCIL
QUEENSCLIFF council has voted unanimously to move five controversial eco-cabins from Shortland’s Bluff after months of community uproar.
Borough councillors on Thursday night supported a bid to move the eco-cabins from parkland beneath Queenscliff’s 170-year-old lighthouse to Point Lonsdale’s Golightly Park.
The relocation is estimated to cost up to $220,200 and would require the council to acquire Crown land from the State Government.
Cr Susan Salter said the community’s passion to protect Shortland’s Bluff was unprecedented.
“As someone who goes to Point Lonsdale community market every Sunday, I feel I have to congratulate a number of people because they were there in bitter winter collecting signatures on their petitions,” she said.
“I think it’s been a good compromise — listening to our community.”
Under the proposal, two of the seven eco- cabins currently located at Shortland’s Bluff will be “retired”.
A southeast portion of the adjacent Queenscliff Recreation Reserve will then become the proposed site for 10 new eco-cabins, spearheaded by the Federal Government’s “Destination Queenscliff” project.
Council officers estimate the $220,200 moving bill will be reduced to a permanent income loss of $45,000, with an increase in occupancy rates offsetting the majority of losses.
Golightly Park was considered alongside Victoria Park Bowling Club and an area of Victoria Park. While Golightly Park was labelled the most expensive site to relocate the cabins, council officers said it would have the least environmental ramifications of the three options.
According to council officers, one tree at the entrance to the park may have to be removed.
Former Queenscliff Community Association president Joan Kenwood said she was extremely relieved with the borough’s decision.
“They’ll get a beautiful view there right on the foreshore — and we’ll also keep our historical site protected,” she said.
“We were extremely concerned about Shortland’s Bluff, so it’s relieving that they listened to the community.”
She said the group would continue to advocate for a national heritage overlay at the parkland, to prevent it from being built on in the future.