Restoring beauty to our beach

JUST for a moment, put aside your opinion of our politicians.

That is a huge ask, of course, with their respect levels dipping below zero.

More so in these troubled times as they wallow in their juvenile blame games while people suffer pandemic fatigue, hardship and uncertainty.

Now we know they will crawl over broken glass for media coverage, performing callisthenics for the camera, masquerading as construction workers and making inane comments about peripheral issues.

In this hometown instance, however, I make an exception. Last weekend, Victorian Liberal

Senator Sarah Henderson snared headlines calling for renewal of the Western Beach precinct. Not just any renewal mind you, but a complete resurrection of the glory days when the precinct featured a string of bathing houses and was a major drawcard for locals and visitors.

The Senator’s suggestion went further than sea baths though; it proposed an overwater development featuring boardwalk, cafes, restaurants and indeterminate public space all linked via a tunnel to the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Senator Henderson is not trailblazing here; in the past others have raised the spectre of sea baths that were the rage in the 1880s. Political prejudices aside, what gives her vision more grunt is significant publicity and impetus courtesy of her profile.

It is also serendipitous, for we should not ignore the possibility that with political parties throwing around pre-election cash promises like confetti, there may be leverage for a government financial kickstart. So, for pushing the concept we say Hallelujah!

But, to use the idiom “No show without Punch”, Senator Henderson’s vision must dovetail with a major makeover of all Western Beach, with the foreshore upfront.

While the lawns, paths and seating along the ridge are a credit, the same cannot be said for the shoreline. Over time, the stretch from the boat sheds to St Helen’s has been neglected. Appallingly so.

Today, mud, the stench of accumulated seaweed and discarded rubbish spoil what was once a pristine playground for families.

Contrast this with Eastern Beach with its iconic swimming enclosure, grassed amphitheatre and community facilities. But this showpiece too is being destroyed by people abusing the privilege.

Rubbish, discarded shoes and clothing, broken chairs, bottles, cans and barbecue remains are regularly strewn across the lawns and in the water, while the toilets are often not for the faint-hearted.

Weekends and public holidays are the main offenders.

I know because I swim there regularly. Council maintenance and clean-up staff are not at fault. Indeed, at times they must be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of detritus jettisoned by visitors with no regard for others.

As for illegal campers, they continue to flout authorities.

Some are even setting up in Eastern Park. Security patrols, CCTV and signage are failing to deter the offenders, so the council must swap subtlety for a sledgehammer. Fines, confiscated equipment and dire threats about further transgressions are the only language some people understand.

ANOTHER thing: The

National Australia Day Council has a message we should embrace in these times of angst and division.

“We’re all part of the story” is the theme of its Australia Day campaign, urging everyone to reflect on our history, respect the stories of others and celebrate the nation, its achievements and its people.

It is a message of hope and unity, and is particularly poignant when various groups and individuals acting in the name of reconciliation are creating division and discord. Like some councils that have cancelled Australia Day celebrations and intend to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast.

That is tantamount to applying a blow torch to an already sensitive issue.

Anyway, how many councils have actually canvassed – really canvassed – the views of all their ratepayers? How many, hiding behind selective consultation, have axed Australia Day celebrations to push personal agendas. Like Surf Coast Shire Council.

OVER TIME, THE STRETCH FROM THE BOAT SHEDS TO ST HELEN’S HAS BEEN NEGLECTED. APPALLINGLY SO. TODAY, MUD, THE STENCH OF ACCUMULATED SEAWEED AND DISCARDED RUBBISH SPOIL WHAT WAS ONCE A PRISTINE PLAYGROUND FOR FAMILIES.