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Parks are for everyone

2/7/2021

7 Comments

 
PictureVictoria’s newest park, the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, was officially launched on Sunday at the Mouth of the Powlett.
From left, Bunurong Land Council chairman Uncle Mik Edwards,
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio and
Parks Victoria chairman John Pandazopoulos.
By Leticia Laing
 
LAST Sunday Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio officially launched the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park at the Mouth of the Powlett.
 
The goal of connecting 40km of walking and cycling trails from San Remo to Inverloch is a lofty one and in some ways unrealistic when viewed in the context of the fragility of the environment and the many hazardous elements to this coast.

I was curious to see how the designers would address the many complexities of navigating a walking trail through this part of the Bass Coast.
Picture
PictureLand in private ownership currently prevents the public from enjoying a large portion of the
San Remo coastline.
The path suggests a welcome deviation through Wonthaggi Heathland, potential for access to the State Coal Mine and better acknowledgement of Aboriginal cultural sites and spaces as well as potential for inland routes. 

​Stage 2 of consultation saw the release of a draft infrastructure plan that was widely criticised by parts of the community.
 
The idea of about 60,000 visitors tramping along the coastline, as David Arnault described in his article Yes I’m a Nimby! is not comforting to the thousands of locals who have spent decades revegetating and protecting it.
​
Yet I've always been of the mind that special areas can be managed and protected using a variety of tools.
 
In the mid 1980s the State Government acquired the Summerlands Estate to protect the penguin colony. This visionary step led to the development of the Phillip Island Nature Park: the growth of a multi-million dollar tourist economy and numerous initiatives to protect Phillip Island which is now even fox free and home to the endangered eastern barred bandicoot.
 
It is expected that about $10m of the $19.6m allocated for the new park will go into land acquisition, hopefully to acquire some in San Remo to avoid the enormous detours walkers would have to do under the current plans.

However, the consultation process did little to allay the fears of locals that this was a metro-driven project.
 
According to the Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Association’s second submission to the YBMCP plans, there were incorrectly drawn trails and suggestions for swimming at dangerous beaches. For example, the maps pointing to recreational swimming at Wreck Bay Beach or even Cutler’s Beach had no caveats to warn people about the strong rips present at these beaches.
 
It’s not a deal-breaker to suggest swimming at a dangerous beach - Wilson’s Promontory has numerous splendid, unpatrolled and dangerous beaches that can be accessed for swimming.
 
Nor did the Yallock-Bulluk draft plans address the problem of protecting hooded plover nesting sites while at the same time making these sites primary beach walking areas.
 
Then, as the trail makes its way from Cape Paterson to Inverloch, it goes on to make the bizarre suggestion of making the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road a one-way road with the other lane allocated to cyclists and walkers.
Picture
Designers went to great lengths to suggest a “key move” would be a one-way road between
Inverloch and Cape Paterson.

​Once the maps were released, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale reassured the community that all options would be on the table and the one-way was merely a suggestion. But it begs the question, how did this suggestion even get on the table? Did the planners consider that hundreds of people living in Cape Paterson like to go to Inverloch and return home without a 20km detour? Or vice versa?
 
For years the community has desired a safe cycling and walking path along this road. Granted, the extensive verge vegetation poses a significant challenge, especially as the track crosses deep gullies and precariously borders the cliffs.
 
Historically this road was more of a goat track, but it is now the main route between Cape Paterson and Inverloch and, arguably, the jewel in the scenic route crown of the Bass Coast that, in this modern day, should be accessible to more than motorists.
 
There were no other proposals for a cycling route along this road in the draft plan and the possibility of a path on the opposite side of the verge vegetation (on the farm side of the road) was not explored.
 
Making the path accessible to a range of people, some who may not be able bodied, isn't necessarily a bad thing - if it's done properly. Restricting access usually means only physically and monetarily privileged individuals gain the opportunity to view these special places when it should be something everyone can see, appreciate and love.
 
There's also the argument that if people don't experience the beauty of this space they won’t appreciate it or protect it.
 
Bass Coast is the second most tourism-dependent shire in Australia, after Uluru. To think otherwise is a misconception of our isolation. Annually the shire’s population swells to about 70,000 people in peak season.
 
COVID has decimated international tourism the Penguin Parade was reliant upon, but there are still many who want to enjoy what else Bass Coast can offer.
 
Many have chosen to retire here in peace but quite a few who live here make the coffees, wait on tables and eke out a living on the ungenerous wages that hospitality serves.
 
Population projections suggest the demographic is changing as Melbourne property prices become too far out of reach for lower-middle income earners.
 
Our beautiful spaces need better management. Creating a mostly connected nature trail is essential to prevent neglect or damage by individuals forging their own way without consideration of the fragility of the environment.
 
So far the process has not been entirely reassuring that it will address the eco-concerns or that it will be creative and courageous about areas begging for improvement.
 
Most notably, however, this park design will not be the final iteration of the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park.
 
This funding will set the stage for further development and growth of a nature park and camping grounds - just as the Penguin Parade started with a few rope cordons along a beach all those years ago.
 
Protecting these areas shouldn't be pitched in economic terms. You really can't quantify that feeling you get standing on the edge of the world, watching some breaching whales go by ...                    
The views expressed here are those of Cr Leticia Laing and not Bass Coast Shire Council.
Picture
Photo: Lisa Schonberg
7 Comments
Frank Flynn
3/7/2021 08:26:19 am

Absolutely agree Leticia.
THE most worrying proposal is to make the Cape-Inverloch Rd, one way. Inland right of ways should be firer explored/developed.
The provision of toilets/facilities etc all along the route need to well thought out, otherwise the environmental impacts will be significant.
I can’t help but feel the stakeholders are not being listened to and we are going to be given a ‘lemon’ that will land us all in hot water for a long time to come!

Reply
Leticia Laing
13/7/2021 11:36:00 am

I went to Wilson's Prom over the school holidays and at the Saddle Car Park for Mt Oberon, had a drop toilet. All the more upscale facilities are down at Tidal River so I think there's some ways here to tread sensitively.

Reply
Special K
5/7/2021 07:41:33 am

Glad I’m not the only one who gets the sense this is an economical push to raise awareness to bring more money into the area. While tourism is probably the biggest earner here the shire has a huge RESPONSIBILITY to do it mindfully, sensitively to the environment, and to meet the needs of local residents who are nervous and not duly informed of all intentions going forward. Do it right bass coast shire! We are all watching!!

Reply
Leticia Laing
13/7/2021 11:39:49 am

Hi Special K

This is a State Government project so council's role is to advocate on behalf of the community. The best way to influence the plans for this project is to contact our local State MP Jordan Crugnale about your concerns.

Although the Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will incorporate parts of the Yallock-Bulluck Park, the park itself is funded by the State.

Reply
Brendan Condon
8/7/2021 10:02:42 pm

Given how thin is the strip of remnant vegetation hugging the coast on the coast side of the cape Paterson / Inverloch road, a walking and cycling path would be better sited on the inland side of the Cape/Inverloch road on an acquired strip of cleared farmland, as this land is often elevated with great views out on to Bass Strait. Siting the track construction/alignment here would allow the path to avoid what is left of precious remnant vegetation. This would also create an opportunity to create an ecologically regenerative path project with significant revegetation works planting tens or hundreds of thousands of locally indigenous plants on previously cleared land alongside the path alignment to effectively widen and increase the native vegetation/ wildlife corridor here. Path users could access beaches by crossing the road at crossings similar to those on the Thirteenth Beach Road at Barwon Heads where surfers cross the road to access the beach. It would be a pity if this option hasn’t been properly considered.

Reply
Leticia Laing
13/7/2021 11:47:04 am

Hi Brendan

I've advocated for this type of approach to the path between Inverloch and Cape Paterson. There's such a great opportunity here for land acquisition to allow for re-vegetation and increase of that wildlife corridor. It would definitely be a pity if this option wasn't considered.

Reply
Margaret Pope
12/7/2021 06:08:41 pm

Thank goodness you are representing us Letitia.
I have had no notifications of the progress of the trail planning despite indicating I was interested in being kept updated.
I would also have come to the launch, but once again no publicity!
Cape Patterson to Inverloch is a very sensitive area. It needs very careful planning and consultation if the best solution is to be found.

Reply



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