Bellarine Times
Tuesday 22 December 2009
VOL 2. No 51
SEE PAGE 4
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Drysdale & Clifton Springs Monthly 2-PAGE FEATURE > PG 6 & 7
BELLARINE PENINSULA EDITION
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52-PAGE PROPERTY LIFTOUT INSIDE TODAY
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Soaking up the Christmas spirit and festive season atmosphere at Portarlington’s Christmas Carols were (from left) Nicholas, 7, Ruby, 7, Alicia, 9, and Jasmine 9. For more MICHAEL CHAMBERS photos from the evening, see Pages 12 and 13.
SAVE 600
Concerned residents set for battle with Borough of Queenscliffe over flood plan BY ALISON MARTIN
AROUND 500 Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff residents attended a rally on the weekend to voice their flood plan concerns and the impact on property values. In October, the Borough of Queenscliffe followed a state government directive and became Victoria’s first municipality to support an ‘interim Local Floodplain Development Plan’ which identified more than 600 borough properties at risk of flooding. The interim plan was introduced following analysis by Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) and the state government on the impact of climate change and sea level rises. Spokesperson for the ‘Save 600’ group, Peter Russell, said the response from the community meeting was a mix of concern and outrage at the
Surf Forecast
introduction of an interim flood policy. “There has been a great groundswell of people who are very concerned. I’ve never seen so many people at a meeting in Point Lonsdale,” Russell said. “We said at the start of the meeting, this is not a climate change debate, it’s about the impact on the community, the handling of the issue by council and the insensitivity… People are traumatised because for many, their home is their primary asset.” Russell said the weekend meeting had included qualified information on technical issues, including sea level heights and legal rights. “What people have found is that no matter where they went for information, there has been nothing about community and the impact on everyone and that, to us, is the significant issue,” he said. “A community will accept hardship if they work together, but they won’t if they feel they haven’t
been considered.” Russell said the meeting resolved to form a steering group which would meet next Monday, December 28, and a database of residents was being compiled to ensure the community was kept up to date with developments on the plan. Borough mayor, Bob Merriman, said under ministerial direction, council was required to apply the precautionary principle and take into account any information it received. He said the plan was an interim decision while council consulted and the borough was advised that to know this information and do nothing would have left the council exposed to possible legal action. “Once we became aware of the CCMA information we had an obligation to disclose it, just as homeowners must disclose information affecting their properties,” Merriman said.
“I can understand the angst and uncertainty but, without scaremongering, we have to go ahead and find a solution. “There is no evidence of properties being devalued. Personally, I’m in the same situation myself.” Merriman said the borough had already met with the local group to outline the interim plan and would continue to consult with the public until February, when a decision would be finalised. He welcomed the formation of the steering group and was keen to receive feedback from public meetings and the group as part of the consultation. For further information on the plan, contact the Borough of Queenscliffe on 5258 1377 or to contact the Save 600 group, phone Peter Russell on 5258 3557.
WED 2-3ft inconsistent, NE 30° THU 1-2ft average, N 28° FRI 3-4ft choppy S 21° SAT 2-3ft windy SE 22°
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MASSIVE SAVINGS! M e r r y C h r is t m a s a n d a Happy New Year! 61-63 Murradoc Road, Drysdale 3222 TELEPHONE
03 5253 1855
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