Bass Coast Post
  • Home
    • Recent articles
  • News
    • Point of view
    • View from the chamber
  • Writers
    • Anne Davie
    • Anne Heath Mennell
    • Bob Middleton
    • Carolyn Landon
    • Catherine Watson
    • Christine Grayden
    • Dick Wettenhall
    • Ed Thexton
    • Etsuko Yasunaga
    • Frank Coldebella
    • Gayle Marien
    • Geoff Ellis
    • Gill Heal
    • Harry Freeman
    • Ian Burns
    • Joan Woods
    • John Coldebella
    • Jordan Crugnale
    • Julie Statkus
    • Kit Sleeman
    • Laura Brearley >
      • Coastal Connections
    • Lauren Burns
    • Liane Arno
    • Linda Cuttriss
    • Linda Gordon
    • Lisa Schonberg
    • Liz Low
    • Marian Quigley
    • Mark Robertson
    • Mary Whelan
    • Meryl Brown Tobin
    • Michael Whelan
    • Mikhaela Barlow
    • Miriam Strickland
    • Natasha Williams-Novak
    • Neil Daly
    • Patsy Hunt
    • Pauline Wilkinson
    • Phil Wright
    • Sally McNiece
    • Terri Allen
    • Tim Shannon
    • Zoe Geyer
  • Features
  • Arts
  • Local history
  • Environment
  • Bass Coast Prize
  • Community
    • Diary
    • Courses
    • Groups
  • Contact us

Why I love Cape

20/2/2020

8 Comments

 
PictureAfter watching so many quiet seaside villages succumb to suburbia, Pete Muskens has found a haven in Cape Paterson … but for how long?
By Pete Muskens
 
MY ASSOCIATION with Cape Paterson is not a long one, I was first acquainted with it in 2012 and within a year had bought a house from people who were drawn to the similar quiet of Tasmania.
 
As a Darwin friend described it, “Cape Paterson is one of the few quintessential beach places that have not succumbed to suburban sprawl”.
 
For most of my life, I’ve been a “west coaster” who’s become increasingly disillusioned about what’s happened to places that had a wonderful mix of rural land abutting quiet villages. Alas, places such as Torquay, Jan Juc, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff have been engulfed by unseemly sprawl in the rush to get “sea views” at the expense of the quiet that made these places attractive in the first place.

In essence, Cape is a low-key, quiet community. I love the fact that you’re rarely a block away from the things that differentiate it from an urban space. The visual landscape is restful. Morning walks take in foggy mornings over paddocks, golden harvests in summer, strolling echidnas and leopard seals basking on the beach.
 
The other aspects of Cape Paterson that I love are less tangible but nonetheless important. The aural landscape of cattle lowing, magpies carolling and wattle birds squawking immediately creates a sense of rest. I never cared if I had a sea view as long as I could hear it. I’m almost two kilometres from the sea but I can hear its moods and murmurs from my deck. When I can’t hear the sea it means it’s time to get out the snorkelling gear to check out the extraordinary sea life that’s only a few meters offshore.
 
Cape Paterson has a buffer zone of partly restored bush between the beach and the village which has become a refuge for wildlife. It’s nice to know the cliff tops aren’t going to be dominated by McMansions as elsewhere along the coast. The low density and native vegetation of the township mean there is space for possums, koalas, echidnas and wombats, creatures that used to be a common sight in the former villages of the Surf Coast.
Cape development
A 450-lot development is proposed for 53 hectares of land on Cape Paterson’s northern boundary. A proposal to rezone the land from Farming Zone to General Residential is on public exhibition until February 27. The amendment is expected to come before the council for a decision at the June meeting. ​
Picture
Picture
Having lived in Darwin with its elevated houses for four years made me appreciate the value of a good deck to be in amongst the canopy of trees. Watching birds do their thing is so much more worthwhile than sea views!
 
Most importantly, Cape Paterson has a fantastic community and community organisations. It was interesting that the Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association’s survey of residents who were affected most by the hailstorm event of May 10t last year reported that the first and sometimes best initial response of help was from friends and neighbours.
The community organisations help make Cape Pat great. The Wonthaggi Life Saving Club is our historical link to the Wonthaggi coal mining community, who also created the only fashioned rock pool in Victoria (NSW has tens of them!). The Bay Beach precinct watched over by the WLSC is important for learner swimmers and people who like to paddle in its quieter waters. The Cape Paterson Life Saving Club patrols the First Surf Beach which at times can have powerful wave conditions.
 
In the Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association, I’ve found a community of like-minded souls who walk the talk about caring for our fragile coastal environment in monthly working bees as well as trying to ensure that Cape Paterson keeps its quiet nature-based character intact by opposing the kind of suburban sprawl that is currently before Bass Coast Shire Council.
Picture
8 Comments
Barbara Smith
21/2/2020 02:14:49 pm

Thank you Pete for your article which pretty much sums up my love affair with Cape Paterson and my real concerns about the development plans currently under consideration.
Do we have to ruin all the coastline with over development?! Surely the addition of the Eco-Village on the west side of the township should be the end to development at Cape for a very long time!

Reply
Pete Muskens link
21/2/2020 04:14:26 pm

Thanks Barbara
Yes, one would've hoped that the Ecovillage be the end of it but Matthew Guy's arbitrary expansion on the town boundary to suit the developers means we are constantly fighting this battle. Not until the boundaries are put back to Seaward Drive will this business end.
If this application succeeds, we'll see no end of pressure to build over the whole coast from san remo to Inverloch. It's time to draw a line!

Reply
Gael McLeod
21/2/2020 09:13:12 pm

My sentiments exactly. I often don’t go near the beach at the Cape as I am somewhat disabled. This does not worry me as I live among the trees on my property. I have upward of 20 gums, many of which are flowering gums of all colours. The local koala comes visiting and possums scurry across our roof. I regret not being able to participate in the regeneration projects run by CPRRA as the volunteers have done a magnificent job. It has also helped to invoke a sense of community that I wish I could be part of. Thanks for your articles that captures the essence of Cape Paterson.

Reply
John Cobbledick
22/2/2020 10:28:21 pm

Not being a resident of Cape Paterson , but a relatively new resident of Wonthaggi ,I would respectfully suggest that all residents of the Cape, not to be silent,have your say or your peaceful township will become like so many other towns, villages, and hamlets,Nothing more than part of the suburban sprawl. My town (Drouin) was a beautiful little village ,as a child it was a great place to be .Things changed and now it is almost a suburb of Warragul .mainly because of the apathy of the residents and that includes me.Open your eyes and look at Pakenham, Yarragon, Trafalgar,Poowong, Nyora.. Because that may be your Future .

Reply
Sam kahu
23/2/2020 02:00:35 am

I love cape been here for a year and wouldn’t change it at all ! Needs to stay how it is ! For sure ! ❤️

Reply
David Hubble link
26/2/2020 09:43:55 am

Hi Pete
I have read through your article and the responses. I very much agree.
I am having a late attempt to draft a letter to BCSC re amendment C136.
I want to do this in a manner that isn’t just a whinging complaint. Do you have any point form information that could help with my draft?
Regards David Hubble (member)

Reply
Penny loughran
24/5/2020 07:43:11 pm

Hi pete. I would like to donate towards barrister expenses if still appropriate. Send me an email with your ph no if you like
Penny

Reply
Nelson
13/2/2021 08:42:41 pm

Hi Pete,
Really like your love of and commitment to Cape Paterson.
I work for an organisation that runs camping trips in the area and would love to pick your brain about some stuff. Please email me when you get the chance.

Nelson_mcdon@hotmail.com

Cheers

Reply



Leave a Reply.