Ditch fancy cabins, says Henderson
CORANGAMITE MP Sarah Henderson has asked the Borough of Queenscliffe to remove controversial five-star eco cabins from the $6 million Destination Queenscliff project, just days before the council is required to finalise plans for the project.
Ms Henderson said she had listened “very closely” to community concerns and hoped the borough would scale down plans for five-star eco cabins to camping ground cabins.
“With the ongoing controversy over the proposed eco cabins, I believe council needs to revert to constructing a limited number of new camping ground cabins consistent with the cabins already at the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve,” she said. “Under such circumstances, I do not believe there will be the same issues with obtaining planning and coastal consents.”
The council must make a decision about the plans by December 10, in line with a binding funding agreement with the State Government.
A Borough of Queenscliffe spokesman said the council was considering Ms Henderson’s request, but would not confirm if the council would alter its plans for eco cabins.
“Council has also been working closely with the Hon. Jaala Pulford MP, Victorian Minister for Regional Development, and her department, together with the Hon. Lisa Neville MP in her capacity as Member for Bellarine, in relation to funding for the Hub project and Destination Queenscliff, in order to respond in accordance with timelines requested by Minister Pulford,” the spokesman said.
In August, Ms Neville withdrew $2.7 million in state funding for the project after she was “regularly inundated” with community concerns, including a petition signed by 1000 residents and 28 businesses calling for a “more appropriate use” of the Destination Queenscliff funding.
Ms Neville said she would redirect the funding to the Queenscliff Community Hub project, but Queenscliff Mayor Bob Merriman said the funding had not yet been committed to the hub project because the council had not reached a decision on how the money should be spent.
The hub development will see the construction of a new building connecting the Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre, Queenscliff Library and Queenscliff Historical Museum.
Ms Henderson said Ms Neville had threatened and blindsided the council by cancelling the funding agreement and had to find $2.5 million for the community hub to “not rob Peter to pay Paul”.
Ms Henderson said camping ground style cabins would be cheaper to construct, releasing more funding to be spent on public infrastructure.
“I would like to see funding injected into central Hesse Street where most of the shops are located. This will provide traders and the local economy with a major boost,” she said.
The Federal Government announced a $3.48 million contribution to Destination Queenscliff in 2016, which would fund the construction of a 40-seat cafe and information centre, upgrades to the Fort Queenscliff wall, improvement to public spaces, upgrades to the southern part of Hesse St, ship viewing platforms and 10 accommodation lodgings.