Inverloch's beach erosion issues and shared pathway have nothing to do with each other, argues Cr Les Larke.
By Cr Les Larke
BASS Coast Shire Council recognises the importance of being community driven for the purpose of improving the overall quality of life of people in the local community.
In that regard, let me illustrate a few points on the community consultation results in relation to the Surf Parade shared pathway extension:
By Cr Les Larke
BASS Coast Shire Council recognises the importance of being community driven for the purpose of improving the overall quality of life of people in the local community.
In that regard, let me illustrate a few points on the community consultation results in relation to the Surf Parade shared pathway extension:
- A letter was sent to all Inverloch property owners
- A wide range of other engagement methods were used including targeted community group sessions, pop up tents, Facebook and other forms of social media and online survey conducted.
- A high level of submissions were received
- The result of the overall community consultation was overwhelmingly 73% in favour of the recommended Surf Parade pathway extension option 2.
To reiterate, in my view, Council’s raison d'être (reason or justification for being) is to be community driven for the purpose of improving the overall quality of life of people in the local community.
Further, the primary objective of Council is multi-faceted including the need to achieve the best outcomes for the local community having regard to the promotion of social, economic and environmental considerations.
1. Social
The benefits of walking and cycling, surfing and beach activities are extensive and well documented. Importantly, a key priority within the approved Bass Coast Shire aspirational network pathways plan is the link between Wonthaggi and Inverloch, which includes the section of pathway along Surf Parade. This pathway link is classified as a strategic cycling corridor and priority for both Council and State Government.
2. Economic
Visitor economy
Inverloch’s visitor economy is crucial to the economic sustainability of the town.
Activities which are based around Anderson inlet or the surf beaches are the core tourism products of Inverloch’s visitor economy.
Visitors to Inverloch make a conscious decision where to holiday each year, which is based on their choice over competing locations with visitor access to the beach, being the fundamental reason for choosing Inverloch as their holiday destination.
The proposed shared pathway extension for visitors of all abilities is an essential ingredient for the future viability of the local visitor economy.
Car parking
Parking along Inverloch’s main surf beach has a positive effect on the visitor experience and encourages return visitation levels. Highly valued car parking and pathways enables families and individuals of all abilities to access Inverloch’s main surf beach via gazetted beach access tracks. Essentially, access and inclusion for groups and individuals of all abilities is a key strategic priority for council.
The necessity for families to carry essential beach equipment such as, umbrellas/ sunshades, beach chairs, body / surf boards, drinks and eskies also accentuates the high value of car parking access along this area of beach.
3. Environmental
The geomorphic and ecological reports commissioned by the shire have been done by independent experts, from an unbiased neutral position using the available science and data from a variety of neutral scientific sources.
I reiterate that these are independent expert reports and not reports written from one perspective and put together by any group or individual who has a stated position and thus bias. I also recognise that stage 1 of the shared pathway was vehemently opposed by certain groups and individuals, however community and visitor usage has demonstrated a highly valued and utilised piece of public infrastructure.
Key takeaways from the independent expert reports include:
In summary
The erosion issues and shared pathway are mutually exclusive, in other words, they are separate and very different from each other.
Clearly, we need to continue to lobby for and work towards the protection of our vital assets in relation to the erosion zones and to work towards influencing governments of all levels as to the threats of climate change and bringing about better climate outcomes.
However that said, I support the motion to endorse the Surf Parade shared pathway extension option 2, having regard to the importance of being community driven and the strategic, social, economic and environmental considerations.
This is Cr Les Larke’s address to the council in support of proceeding with the second stage of the Inverloch pathway despite concerns that clearing foreshore vegetation would exacerbate beach erosion.
Further, the primary objective of Council is multi-faceted including the need to achieve the best outcomes for the local community having regard to the promotion of social, economic and environmental considerations.
1. Social
The benefits of walking and cycling, surfing and beach activities are extensive and well documented. Importantly, a key priority within the approved Bass Coast Shire aspirational network pathways plan is the link between Wonthaggi and Inverloch, which includes the section of pathway along Surf Parade. This pathway link is classified as a strategic cycling corridor and priority for both Council and State Government.
2. Economic
Visitor economy
Inverloch’s visitor economy is crucial to the economic sustainability of the town.
Activities which are based around Anderson inlet or the surf beaches are the core tourism products of Inverloch’s visitor economy.
Visitors to Inverloch make a conscious decision where to holiday each year, which is based on their choice over competing locations with visitor access to the beach, being the fundamental reason for choosing Inverloch as their holiday destination.
The proposed shared pathway extension for visitors of all abilities is an essential ingredient for the future viability of the local visitor economy.
Car parking
Parking along Inverloch’s main surf beach has a positive effect on the visitor experience and encourages return visitation levels. Highly valued car parking and pathways enables families and individuals of all abilities to access Inverloch’s main surf beach via gazetted beach access tracks. Essentially, access and inclusion for groups and individuals of all abilities is a key strategic priority for council.
The necessity for families to carry essential beach equipment such as, umbrellas/ sunshades, beach chairs, body / surf boards, drinks and eskies also accentuates the high value of car parking access along this area of beach.
3. Environmental
The geomorphic and ecological reports commissioned by the shire have been done by independent experts, from an unbiased neutral position using the available science and data from a variety of neutral scientific sources.
I reiterate that these are independent expert reports and not reports written from one perspective and put together by any group or individual who has a stated position and thus bias. I also recognise that stage 1 of the shared pathway was vehemently opposed by certain groups and individuals, however community and visitor usage has demonstrated a highly valued and utilised piece of public infrastructure.
Key takeaways from the independent expert reports include:
- The shared path alignment is adjacent to surf parade and any vegetation that is to be removed is located at the rear of the coastal dune and loss of vegetation will not have any impact on dune stability.
- The removal of a strip of land on the urban edge provides an opportunity to remove the exotic species and enhance the quality of this edge vegetation;
- Checks and balances are in place to ensure all geomorphic and ecological aspects are dealt with sensitively, and subject to all relevant approvals, permits and vegetation offset requirements.
In summary
The erosion issues and shared pathway are mutually exclusive, in other words, they are separate and very different from each other.
Clearly, we need to continue to lobby for and work towards the protection of our vital assets in relation to the erosion zones and to work towards influencing governments of all levels as to the threats of climate change and bringing about better climate outcomes.
However that said, I support the motion to endorse the Surf Parade shared pathway extension option 2, having regard to the importance of being community driven and the strategic, social, economic and environmental considerations.
This is Cr Les Larke’s address to the council in support of proceeding with the second stage of the Inverloch pathway despite concerns that clearing foreshore vegetation would exacerbate beach erosion.