Ryan Smith
KIM WATERS
QUEENSCLIFF residents have lost their fight to keep Fishermen’s Wharf out of the hands of developers, according to a council spokesperson.
The spokesperson told the Independent Victorian Environment Minister Ryan Smith had denied a request from Borough of Queenscliffe council for a change to the wharf’s lease agreement.
The spokesperson said council had requested Mr Smith hand back control of part of the wharf and disused buildings to the community on a “peppercorn rent basis”.
“The minister has indicated he is not prepared to review the lease arrangements that State Government entered into in a confidential contract with Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd,” the spokesperson said.
“In terms of the lease in relation to that site, it won’t change.”
The spokeperson said Mr Smith told council he hoped proposed works to the wharf would offer a “mutually beneficial outcome” for developers and the community.
“What does that mean? Well that’s what we’ve asked in response back to the minister,” the spokesperson said.
He said borough Mayor Bob Merriman had sought further clarification from Mr Smith.
The Independent reported in February that council had requested funding from State Government for repair and maintenance of the crumbling wharf.
Council also wanted to change the lease agreement for the area on the eastern side of the slipway to the eastern side of Swan Island Bridge to keep it in public hands.
The negotiation followed pressure from residents who said the adjacent harbour was already “locked up” for private development after its privatisation under the previous state government.
Residents had feared the wharf area could make way for parking to service the redeveloped harbour.
The crumbling wharf has been fenced off from public access for the past two years.
