Council looks to take over death fall site

Kingborough to vote on land

THE Kingborough Council could take ownership of the site where a teenage girl fell to her death from a cliff last year.

The council will on Monday vote on a motion to secure tenure over the land around the Blackmans Bay blowhole to enable it to improve safety at the popular location.

Nearly a year ago, 17-yearold Margaret Lore fell 15m to her death after losing her footing on the clifftop.

The tragedy prompted locals to call for better fencing and warning signs.

Council officers recommended it look at taking over the land, but a majority of Kingborough councillors voted to wait until after the coroner’s report — which still hasn’t been completed.

The council had maintained the area — which is privately owned in the name of a de- ceased estate — but since the vote in March has not been able to take any action at the site.

Parts of the fence can still be stepped over and only handmade signs warn about the dangers.

Councillor Dean Winter said it was not good enough.

“In my view, this is not a safe situation,’’ he said.

“At the very least council maintaining the area would ensure the integrity of the existing fencing.

“The motion I am moving is the first step towards making the site as safe as it can be. I recognise we can’t stop people from making bad decisions, but we can influence those decisions.

“Counterintuitively, since the tragedy last summer, rather than increase safety council has ceased maintaining the area, including the existing fencing.

“The recommendation to commence work to formalise management of the land was rejected by council last March. That has left council staff unable to undertake any action at all.

“This motion allows council staff to commence their work.”

Kingborough general manager Gary Arnold said because the council had maintained the area — possibly as far back as 1936 — it would be appropriate for it to acquire the land.

“Crown Land Services have advised that they will not be seeking to take on ownership of the reserve,” he said.

“Given council’s maintenance of the area probably dates back to 1936 and the land contains public infrastructure, it appears appropriate for council to acquire the land.

“The process to acquire land from an estate is likely to take many months and is unlikely to be completed prior to the conclusion of the coronial inquiry.”