QUESTIONS about the coastal erosion crisis at Silverleaves on Phillip Island, why the council refused to allow local students to display their art at Berninneit, the cost of the mayor’s electric car and the opening up of council briefing sessions…
There were a record 42 community questions put to the Bass Coast Shire Council at its first meeting of the year last Wednesday.
Why so many questions?
Avid council watcher Graham Jolly of Surf Beach, who was in the council chamber to hear the proceedings, said missing the January meeting might have accounted for a backlog but he suspected that wasn’t the only reason so many were included in the meeting papers.
“There’s no doubt the previous regime stopped some of community questions from going public. I had a lot of people contact me and say their letter didn’t get read out,” said Mr Jolly.
“Certainly, not all the questions about the Surf Beach Sunderland Bay road and drainage scheme reached the council meeting,” he said.
“If this is an indication of a more open and transparent council then good.”
But fellow council watcher, a candidate at the last council elections, John Trigt, wanted to see more candid answers to questions and for all community queries to be addressed individually.
“People make a big effort to write and raise issues with council and they should all be responded to with the best information council has available," said Mr Trigt.
The number of letters which came forward indicates a high degree of engagement with Bass Coast Shire Council issues including the Phillip Island speed review, where dogs can and can’t exercise, the waiving of 900 car parking spaces for the proposed Isle of Wight development, sewerage overflows into Western Port and 30 years neglecting sporting facilities on Phillip Island.
Here are some of the top questions and answers at last week’s council meeting:
- Question 29. John Cantone, Topic: Sports Facilities. How can the Council justify 30 years of neglecting essential sports facilities— leaving generations without access to proper ovals, pools, and recreation spaces— while millions in funding have been spent elsewhere? What immediate steps will you take to prioritize the development of high-quality sporting infrastructure for Phillip Island and the wider community?
- Response 29. Approximately $4 million has been invested in sporting infrastructure on Phillip Island since 2018 including oval refurbishment at Cowes Recreation Reserve, new oval flood lighting at Cowes Recreation Reserve, new netball courts and flood lighting at Cowes Recreation Reserve, new Croquet pavilion and new flood lighting for Newhaven Recreation Reserve.
- Question 34. Joe Waralow, Topic: Turning lane along Ventnor Road. In 2012, Council identified a safety requirement consisting of a turning lane along Ventnor Road for the entry of Hilton Chadwick Reserve and the Carnival Land in Cowes. What progress of permits and a detailed plan has council achieved.
- Response 34: The new entry and turning lane designs are currently being finalised. Once finalised, Council will work with Department of Transport and Planning to obtain permits required for delivery.
- Question 35 Gina Rosamilia, Topic: Gurdies Reserve. A local newspaper reported council was receiving $1.1 million income from the sale of offset credits to permit holders for the Gurdies Reserve in perpetuity (forever). Where does the $1.1 million show in the Annual Reports.
- Response 35: The scheme commenced in 2014 and has collected funds in relation to the sale of the credits. The Credits create an obligation for Council to deliver works in accordance with set conditions. As the obligations are settled, the income is recognised as Monetary contributions in the Council’s income statement per the Annual Report.
For access to all 42 community questions and responses click HERE
