A MAJOR stoush is looming for the new Bass Coast Shire Council, the make-up of which is expected to be revealed at 5.30pm this Thursday, November 7, after the Federal Government handed the shire $8 million last week for its Cowes Foreshore Precinct project.
Part of the work proposed within the $25 million Cowes Streetscape Master Plan, and first envisaged as far back as 2015 when the Cowes Activity Centre Plan was adopted, the Foreshore Precinct plan includes the section of Thompson Avenue from Chapel Street to the Foreshore and the Esplanade.
Parking, or a lack of it, is the sticking point.
A plan to have one-way traffic down Thompson Avenue (from Chapel Street) and into The Esplanade might also be news to some.
While the work is expected to “enhance connectivity between the township and the foreshore, providing improved pedestrian safety, accessibility, and amenities… to support further commercial activity within the Foreshore Precinct”, a key component of the overall master plan is giving pedestrians priority over private cars.
This could equate to significantly less carparking in town’s CBD. How much? That’s yet to be decided, according to Bass Coast CEO Greg Box.
Speaking during an interview following last week’s visit to Cowes by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP, he said the council is yet “to work through the detailed design of it”.
“We’re not really talking about net losses and gains (of car parking) at the moment. There’s a whole lot of detail still to be done on that,” Mr Box said.
Which is where the new council could come unstuck with those Island ward candidates, presently leading the count, including Ron Bauer, Marnie Chadwick and Tracey Bell expressing concerns about a loss of centrally located parking at a candidates’ forum organised by community group Island Voice prior to the election.
“We must not remove any of the existing carpark spots in Thompson Avenue. We desperately need to expand the Transit Centre carpark. There also needs to be more wheelchair disabled spots in Thompson Avenue,” said Cr Ron Bauer at the time, now with 35% of the Island vote.
But, in an interview during Minister King’s visit, Mr Box underscored one of the key goals of the Hansen Partnership master plan for Cowes (November 2022), that “the principles and design directions are based upon a hierarchy which gives pedestrians the highest modal priority and private vehicles the lowest priority”.
“As the Minister said, really, what we’re trying to do is prioritise people in the space. We already experience an enormous amount of people in this space, and letting them be able to interact both with business and community is incredibly important.”
We certainly saw that over the Melbourne Cup Weekend, crowds supercharged, they say, by The Block Island effect.
Mr Box revealed some of the plans for the precinct promising more shade and curb extensions, encouraging people “to walk and sit and contemplate”.
“It's the only north facing beach in Victoria. It really is an iconic spot and we're experiencing that today with the sun on us. It's really a magnificent spot to actually stop and engage in local culture,” Mr Box said.
As part of its 2024 Federal Advocacy Priorities pitch to the government, Bass Coast Shire Council asked for $12 million to deliver Stage 1 and 2 of the project, and ultimately $25 million for the full scope of the Cowes Streetscape Master Plan project.
But according to Mr Box, together with the shire’s own contribution, they’ll have $9.6 million to make a start.
Priority pitch
As part of its pitch to the Federal Government for funding, Bass Coast described Stages 1 and 2 as follows:
* Stage 1: The Esplanade: One-way Creating a more inviting and safer environment for everyone, The Esplanade (between Warley Avenue and Bass Avenue) will transition to one-way vehicle traffic accessible from Thompson Avenue. This change will encourage outdoor dining and trading, prioritise pedestrians and provide fantastic views.
* Stage 2: Thompson Avenue North: Reimagined A reimaging of Thompson Avenue will create a precinct where outdoor dining and trading and open space facilitate a people focused town centre. Through making Thompson Avenue one-way these changes will improve the opportunities for businesses, night-time economy, visitor economy and showcase the beautiful natural environment of Cowes foreshore.
Stage 3-6 centres on Thompson Avenue South, Chapel Street, Church Street, Bass Avenue and Olive Justice Place section, still requiring detailed design work.
Speaking while announcing the $8 million funding for Cowes, Minister King praised the Bass Coast Council for the “excellence” of the project.
“Today we're announcing here in Cowes that the Albanese Labor Government is committing $8 million to upgrade The Esplanade, to do the work that’s needed to ensure that this is a much more pedestrian-friendly area for the beautiful people that come to Phillip Island each year, who live on the island, and call this home,” said Minister King.
Part of $21 million worth of funding for Precincts and Partnerships Program at places like Hamilton, Mansfield, and Cobram, Minister King said they were really important projects for local communities.
“What they enable and the reason we’ve been looking to invest alongside council in these projects is to create precincts that come to life. Where the infrastructure may be a bit tired, it’s not working, we’re really trying to make sure we’re bringing people back into the centres and regions, that we’re providing that opportunity for new businesses to flourish, but also really for places to be used because we know how important that is to local communities.”
Among the principles included in the master plan adopted by the council in December 2022 about parking Cowes are the following:
* Remove foreshore car parking and replace it with a ‘village green’
* Remove The Esplanade parking near Thompson Avenue and replace it with wider, flatter footpaths, footpath dining decks and pedestrian friendly streetscapes
* Install 10-minute parking limits for The Esplanade, to create drop-off/pick up points for beach goers
* Provide parallel parking bays in place of existing angled bays on Thompson Avenue between The Esplanade and Chapel Street in order to provide improved landscaping and footpaths.
* Maximise the efficiency of the central car parking area and encourage people to walk around the town in order to support local businesses along with improving the health and wellbeing of the community
* A need to better sign post off street parking
* Promote the use of off-street parking rather than on street parking on key streets within Cowes.
* This map also highlights a commitment to enhancing cycling, and shifting parking towards off street locations
* Protected bike lanes on either side with no parking on Thompson Avenue
How the new council will seek to put its mark on the Cowes Foreshore Precinct project is yet to be revealed.
Shire media statement
Phillip Island’s tourism and community heart of Cowes will be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly township that fully embraces its historic foreshore, thanks to $8 million in new Federal Government funding for Bass Coast Shire Council’s Cowes Foreshore Precinct project.
Approved through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, this project will revitalise Cowes and follows many years of community engagement and consultation through the development of the Cowes Activity Centre Plan in 2015 and the Cowes Streetscape Master Plan in 2022. The investment will create a destination that both creates a vibrant neighbourhood for the Phillip Island community and appeals to visitors year-round, encouraging longer stays and increased spending.
Bass Coast Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Greg Box expressed his gratitude to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP, for her support of the Cowes community.
“The Cowes Streetscape Master Plan project has been discussed and planned for more than 10 years, so it is exciting to finally see the community’s ideas to make Cowes great come to life,’’ Mr. Box said.
“Cowes is a jewel in the Victorian and Bass Coast regional crown, and this project will ensure it continues to shine for future generations of locals and tourists to enjoy.”
The Cowes Foreshore Precinct project will enhance connectivity between the township and the foreshore, providing improved pedestrian safety, accessibility, and amenities. This transformation will also support further commercial activity within the Foreshore Precinct, strengthening Cowes as a vibrant place to experience Phillip Island’s unique hospitality, shopping, and community life. The Foreshore Precinct includes the section of Thompson Avenue from Chapel Street to the Foreshore and the Esplanade.
The works will compliment recent Council and private investment, including the Jetty Triangle upgrades, transit centre, Berninneit and the $130 million Isle of Wight accommodation and retail development. Together, these initiatives will connect Cowes’ main shopping strip with its beautiful foreshore, embracing the magnificent views, increasing greenery and creating a destination that offers a rich blend of seaside hospitality, shopping, and community experience.
“The profile of Cowes has never been higher,” Mr. Box added, referencing the exposure Phillip Island has received through The Block, which has showcased Cowes to millions of Australians and overseas viewers.
“This project will bring Cowes’ main street and foreshore together, making it an even better place to visit, live, and explore year-round.”
