IN SEPTEMBER last year, when the Bass Coast Shire Council approved the latest plan for an $85 million hotel and apartment development on the prominently-located site, among the conditions was the preservation of two significant trees near the Bass Avenue corner.
They were the much-admired Moreton Bay Fig on the corner of The Esplanade and Bass Avenue and the historic Hoop Pine nearby.
When a fire broke out at the site on Sunday, August 11, there was some concern about its possible impact on the trees. But the fire was contained to the opposite side of the site.
The Bass Coast Shire Council asked someone to visit the site after the fire.
“Our arborist inspected the Isle of Wight site to inspect the Moreton Bay Fig and the Hoop Pine, both trees were well away from where the fire has occurred (in excess of 45m) and do not appear to have been damaged by the fire,” said a spokesperson for the shire.
“No scorching across the canopies was present and no fire damage to the trunks of the trees was observed.
“This is a great relief that these trees have gone unharmed as Council has worked so hard to ensure their retention throughout the planning process.”
It has been reported that Victoria Police have arrested and processed two local youths in connection with the blaze.
Phillip Island CFA was called to an incident at the vacant lot directly adjacent to Hotel Phillip Island on the Cowes Esplanade at 5.10pm.
A Hotel staff member saw flames from a window and immediately called emergency services.
The fire, which police confirmed was deliberately lit, burned within metres of LPG gas tanks.
The site has had quite a history with fire.
The first Isle of Wight Hotel was built around 1870. It burnt down in 1925 and was rebuilt. The hotel was sold and was to be demolished for a new hotel to be built on the site, however before this could take place it burnt down again in May, 2010.
