With community members having a fleeting period to provide feedback on the draft Coal Creek Strategic Plan, consultation closing on August 1, Friends of Coal Creek (FOCC) has swung into action, organising an open meeting on Wednesday July 24 to discuss people’s views.
FOCC will take account of those views when formulating its response to the draft plan to be submitted to South Gippsland Shire Council.
“We hope that everyone who attends will have read the proposed draft and can make informed comments that will help the council in completing the final version of the Coal Creek Strategic Plan,” FOCC president Roger Powell said.
A small contingent of FOCC members was present at Wednesday’s July council meeting, observing strong support from councillors to put the draft Coal Creek Strategic Plan out for community consultation.
The meeting went as expected Roger said, pleased with the support of most councillors for Coal Creek, but acknowledging challenges lie ahead.
“There are significant concerns with the financials and how we make Coal Creek financially sustainable in the long term,” he said.
He added that while he considers most councillors are strongly behind Coal Creek continuing, “The Devil’s in the detail.”
While understanding the view of Cr Adrian Darakai, who believes there hasn’t been sufficient information provided on the option of closing the tourist attraction, Roger is emphatic there is a strong community desire to keep it operating.
“The community have said without a doubt they want Coal Creek to stay and that’s come through in all the reports, all the consultation, and I think there was only one submission that questioned why we have Coal Creek,” Roger said.
The FOCC president, however, welcomes differing views, while stating it is the organisation’s role to try to convince people of the value of Coal Creek for South Gippsland.
“We know that it will cost over $6 million to close the place, and you end up with a ditch,” Roger said of the alternative to taking a new direction to broaden Coal Creek’s appeal, make it financially sustainable and draw more tourists to South Gippsland Shire.
The FOCC meeting will be in the upper-level meeting rooms of the Korumburra Community Hub at 5.30pm on Wednesday July 24, with light refreshments provided.
Community members can prepare by visiting yoursay.southgippsland.vic.gov.au to view the draft Coal Creek and Museum Strategic Plan, and are encouraged to provide online submissions on the plan.
