Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 7 September 2010
VOL 8. No 36
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
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NO ACCESS Darren Cheeseman will this week officially be returned as member for the Federal seat of Corangamite. Cheeseman fought off a strong challenge from Liberal candidate, Sarah Henderson, as vote counting concluded yesterday – more than two weeks after the election. See full story Page 5. Photo: ELEANOR WOODS
Catholic church runs the risk of losing land if public access is not reinstated
BY ALISON MARTIN
THE CHURCH opens its doors to all, but access has become a contentious issue for the Torquay’s Catholic parish. The Catholic diocese is being asked to reconsider its decision to fence-off the church property which has blocked public access. Community members of all ages have until recently used a strip of the church-owned land which lies between the playground on Sarabande Crescent and the Surf Coast Highway, but a fence now stands in their way. Resident, Tamba Rose, is being encouraged by neighbours to launch a petition to convince the church to allow residents to use the access point,
which had served the community for as long as most people can remember. She said many residents were now forced to share a busy laneway at the back of shops with trucks making deliveries and cars. “The church land provided easy access for kids through to the crossing and school and people used it to get to the bus stop on the (Surf Coast) highway,” Rose said. “Children are now riding their bikes and walking through the laneway at the back of the shops. “Quite a few elderly people have to use it too, and the laneway is uneven and difficult for them.” She said the only alternative to the laneway for pedestrians was to walk a far greater distance from Sarabande Crescent to Rocklea Drive and to the
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“We have been negotiating with the Catholic diocese in good faith since construction to allow continued access for our community from the council reserve through the church site to the safe crossing at the Surf Coast Highway,” he said. “For nearly 30 years our community has had unrestricted access through the church site and they may have adverse possession rights if tested, to reinstate access. “Apparently the diocese is using liability and maintenance reasons to close the access, however, council is prepared to take responsibility for these issues if a permanent access easement is provided.” A response from the Catholic diocese was not available when the Surf Coast Times went to press.
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Surf Coast Highway. “I thought it would be good for the church to have access for their people and for kids to be able to use the playground,” Rose said. “I have written to the council and other families keep asking me to get a petition organised; which I’m considering.” Surf Coast Shire is also continuing to negotiate with the property division of the Catholic Church and is hoping to reach an arrangement which satisfies the requirements of the church but provides much-needed access for the community. Surf Coast Shire councillor, Dean Webster, urged the local parishioners to lobby the Melbourne diocese to respond to the concerns of the broader community.
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