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The great divide

20/11/2019

10 Comments

 
PictureA 192-bed resort hotel proposed for Coronet Bay. Illustration: Bruce Henderson Architects


By Craig Little
 
IN THE beginning, ten years ago, we were attracted to the Waterline area for its rural, coastal character. As we explored we loved it more, for its natural beauty and towns and villages, of which Coronet Bay was just one. 
 
More recently we have enjoyed the experience of progress and development, the growth of innovative local hospitality businesses, and new services based on care and quality. Residential and retail developments are expanding, and towns such as Wonthaggi and San Remo are forging ahead. 

Now come plans for a 192-bed resort hotel between Corinella and Coronet Bay to accommodate coachloads of international visitors to see the penguins at Phillip Island. It includes a 300-seat restaurant, function room capable of hosting 500 people, and parking for 330 private vehicles and 10 tourist buses.
​This is a totally different sort of development. It’s not inclusive, not multicultural, not attached to the local community, and totally at odds with the open mix of our many nationalities and the nature of the Australian character at large. ​
“The proposal provides for a unique mixed-use tourism facility that seeks to deliver significant benefits to the area and provide an enduring legacy for the Shire of Bass Coast.”
​Consultants’ planning report for ​Ausco Investment Group Pty Ltd
Here we are being asked to consider a major intrusion affecting the local environment and its people.  A large commercial development that has no interest in us, other than to make use of environmentally sensitive areas: the bayside views, our precious banksia forest, our lake. In the process, it will divide the shared location between Corinella and Coronet Bay. 
 
Intended as a cultural anomaly, focused on running a closed facility, it has no empathy or interest in our locality, other than to re-invent it and cater to brief mass indulgence in penguins and other tourist attractions for a couple of days.
 
If Bass Coast councillors are to be seen as responsible custodians and overseers of community growth, assets and values, they should consider whether developments such as this are an asset or at odds with the area.
 
If it is within the scheme of things, quite simply, does it “fit”?
 
It is not a development that will make or break the area as a social or financial asset. And the area doesn’t need a development that flies in the face of so many social and environmental concerns.
 
Coronet Bay doesn’t need a foreign enclave as a neighbour. Corinella doesn’t either. The two towns are linked by a track that runs through a protected coastal banksia forest for about two kilometres. The Residents and Ratepayers Association takes a hands-on interest in the track, and has been responsible for improvements to the track and placement of seating and other facilities.
 
New housing estates under construction in both towns will make the coastal walk an even more precious asset for the two communities.  
 
Locals were also actively engaged in retaining the original Homestead on Cutty Sark Road (now the Fig and The Bay restaurant) when developers attempted to have it folded into the Corinella housing development "Heritage  Bay”.
 
I wonder if thought has been given to the impact of the proposed hotel on the Bass Valley Primary School, As a grandparent I would not welcome a busy tourist bus network using that route through the 40km/h school zone at all hours. The site is also host to a men’s shed and pre-school centre.
 
What if the intended developers had sought a more accessible site, one more sympathetic to the area and its residents?
 
Presumably, as it is an entirely built project, including pools and landscaping, it could be anywhere within easy reach of Phillip Island.  One example: the old Giant Earthworm Museum sits defunct on the highway, offering relatively low community impact and very straightforward tourist bus access.
 
We are not anti development. We are not anti employment. But surely the criterion should be a development that this and the future community are happy to support and live with in the long term.
10 Comments
James
22/11/2019 09:33:26 am

Words fail me that people still have these attitudes in 2019. And then try to disguise them as a concern for "multiculturalism".

Reply
Levinus Van Der Neut
26/11/2019 05:45:12 pm

wow James and what are these attitudes that you mention.My objection has nothing to do with a concern for multiculturalism but more about the arrogance of the developer to openly admit in their proposal that they know that what they want to build does not meet the planning regulations of the Bass Coast Shire .But they still want and expect that council will pass it
Just my opinion

Reply
Rosa
19/6/2020 04:59:58 pm

James - there are many words ... its not about racism but about people who work hard to live in an environment that is quiet, serene and pristine. We have retired there for those reasons after battling it out over 40 years of working life in the noisy, dirty and crowded city. Our house is on Norseman Road and we are the ones that will be listening to buses, cars etc. If you walk along Norseman you will note there is not actual footpath to safely stroll down - especially when one is semi disabled. Perhaps stop with the easy criticism of racism and think about other people's broader needs. You have no idea about people's multicultural backgrounds - its the last thing that I see being debated on these comments.

Reply
Jackie Petrie
22/11/2019 10:45:52 am

Here here Craig.
Not right for that site.

Reply
Helen
22/11/2019 11:35:44 am

I value the sense of community here in Coronet Bay and agree that this development is wrong for the proposed location due mainly to it’s large size and the impact that the number of vehicles and visitors will have if this stretch of coastline and it’s surrounds. As Craig stated with the proposed development being fully self sufficient surely a more easily accessible site that won’t directly impact the coastal environment or the locals (both human & animal) would be a much more sensible option.
Responsible development will enhance the Bass Coast region for all. Irresponsible development will ruin it for all future generations.

Reply
G Day
22/11/2019 06:59:17 pm

I’m not across any of the detail, but from the content above, it makes me question “how is this dissimilar to the current state of attracting people to Phillip Island to (not) spend money in the region”?
It appears that you have an investor that intends to be self sufficient (again), with no intention to spend money and provide benefits to the wider Bass Coast region. Perhaps if they had proposed no (or limited) internal restaurants,etc to encourage those staying at the resort to interact with the wider commercial community, might be one way in which they could provide benefit to the community? In addition to lots of other Issues no doubt.
It seems obvious they have no intention to provide any greater benefit.
In terms of the disparity and disconnection to the existing community, it has similarities to “The Cape” development in Cape Paterson. Whilst on a different scale/scope, here they provide NO connection to the existing community. So at the very least, you should be seeking inter-connectedness and benefits to the wider community.
Currently many tourists to Phillip island (particularly international ones) spend no money in Bass Coast - how will this be different if the resort is self sufficient? All you will get it the negatives of the development.

Reply
James
23/11/2019 09:50:56 am

The council will get the rates. Local people will be employed. Local business will get contracts. People buying an ice cream and some tourist tatt in San Remo and a Happy Meal at Maccas on Bass Highway don't add a whole lot to the community either.

Reply
Chris
15/1/2020 12:20:54 pm

Craig has written an accurate and surperb article .lm living approx 80 metres from norsemans rd.families walk to the beach down norsemans rd.this proposed development is so wrong on so many levels in this location it would be better suited closer to the highway

Reply
Jenni
20/1/2020 10:22:45 pm

Bring on the development!! We are property owners in Coronet Bay. The area frankly could do with an uplift. I can’t believe after all these years the closest supermarket is San Remo... We love the local businesses including the recently established Fig on The Bay. I’m sure there were a few locals who tried to stop that too!!!!

Reply
George Gazeas
9/5/2020 01:03:14 pm

There are 4 of these development proposals all similar and all backed by overseas money. Coronet bay and Cape Patterson in Gippsland, Bridge water near Warnambool and Capel sound on the peninsula. All on the coast and access to water in pristine and rare natural environments. Its time to open our eyes and see what is going on with our beautiful country.

Reply



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