AFTER a resounding no to the grand plan to seal, pave and drain Surf Beach Sunderland Bay, (No thanks, say homeowners, Dec 13, 2023) neighbours are banding together to seek upgrades for their road.
The council has so far received five separate petitions relating to Batman Street, The Esplanade, Glen Street and Links Street (all Surf Beach) and Dover Street (Sunderland Bay).
While there are economies of scale in larger infrastructure projects, and they’re almost essential for drainage works, they are difficult to implement in the face of organised opposition.
The council has so far received five separate petitions relating to Batman Street, The Esplanade, Glen Street and Links Street (all Surf Beach) and Dover Street (Sunderland Bay).
While there are economies of scale in larger infrastructure projects, and they’re almost essential for drainage works, they are difficult to implement in the face of organised opposition.
The proposed $32 million Surf Beach Sunderland Bay scheme created bitter divisions in the community and cost the council over $500,000 before it was abandoned, with more than half the 1041 property owners rejecting it.
There were just 133 submissions of support, though the council later received a petition of 317 signatures requesting it not to abandon the scheme.
After a couple of expensive failures to progress special charge schemes in recent years (including Cape Paterson), the council said it would review its urban roads and drainage policy this year.
Currently, communities need to demonstrate 70 per cent support by property owners before their project can be considered for the Urban Upgrade Priority Program. There is a long waiting list of projects on the program.
The petitions
The petitions will lie on the table with a report to be presented by the June 2024 council meeting.
There were just 133 submissions of support, though the council later received a petition of 317 signatures requesting it not to abandon the scheme.
After a couple of expensive failures to progress special charge schemes in recent years (including Cape Paterson), the council said it would review its urban roads and drainage policy this year.
Currently, communities need to demonstrate 70 per cent support by property owners before their project can be considered for the Urban Upgrade Priority Program. There is a long waiting list of projects on the program.
The petitions
- Sealing of Batman Street, Surf Beach (39 signatures). The petition seeks a temporary sealant, such as was formerly applied to roads in the area including Batman Street. “It gave residents respite from the dust for at least a decade, and is inexpensive compared to other treatments.”
- The Esplanade between Sunderland Bay Road and Batman Street, Surf Beach (17 signatures). Requests road and drainage improvements. “The need for the project has been well articulated in the recently failed Special Charge Scheme documentation and in countless letters from residents about the dust, pedestrian safety and appalling drainage conditions.”
- Glen Street, Surf Beach (8 signatures). “The undersigned property owners respectfully request that Bass Coast Shire Council investigate alternative funding models for road and drainage improvements to our area, and present those funding models to us for consideration.
- Links Street, Surf Beach (9 signatures). Requests road and drainage improvements to be funded through a special charge scheme.
- Dover Street, Sunderland Bay (14 signatures). Requests road and drainage improvements to be funded through a special charge scheme.
The petitions will lie on the table with a report to be presented by the June 2024 council meeting.