Calls for council not to hand foreshore land management to Government

THE YANAKIE Progress Association (YPA) expressed its concerns over the potential transfer of land management responsibility for the Yanakie foreshore from the South Gippsland Shire Council to the State Government.

Council’s recent ‘Coastal Strategy Discussion Paper’ noted that council is the Committee of Management for 18 kilometres of Yanakie foreshore but lacks resources required to achieve its responsibilities in terms of monitoring, enforcement and asset management.

The document states the Victorian Government has expressed willingness to take responsibility for the Yanakie foreshore area, subject to reaching an agreement with Parks Victoria to become the land manager.

Members of the YPA and other concerned residents met at Yanakie Hall to discuss that prospect and outline their views.

A couple of key concerns raised are the lack of direct consultation with affected communities, and the impact the land management transfer to the State Government may have on access, maintenance of, and improvements to the Yanakie foreshore.

YPA president Damian Paull said those in the organisation are keen for alternative land management options to be explored, stressing that relevant examples exist elsewhere.

“We believe that it is too early in the process to offer solutions, but other foreshore areas are managed by volunteer committees of management, and a similar approach could be suitable for the Yanakie foreshore,” he said.

Damian also suggested there may be other innovative solutions available. 

Prior to the community meeting, he attended a Coastal Strategy Consultation Day at Foster’s Manna Gum Community House, with the prospect of Parks Victoria taking over management of the Yanakie foreshore area discussed there.

That prompted an online call for local views on the possibility of State Government management of the land and led to the community meeting.

“People who have been through this in other areas felt that Parks Victoria would focus more on the conservation of the area rather than improvements and shared access for the community,” Damian said.

He noted that currently locals visit Duck Point to walk dogs or ride horses on the beach, arguing that under Parks Victoria management of the land such activities are unlikely to be permitted.

In a formal submission made to the South Gippsland Shire Council, YPA expressed its objection to the potential transfer of land management responsibility for the coastal Yanakie Crown land currently managed by council. 

While the progress association is supportive of the need to protect the natural ecosystems of the area, it doesn’t want that to be at the expense of access to and enjoyment of existing facilities.

For more information, contact the Yanakie Progress Association at yanakieprogress@gmail.com