Takeover thwarted

Jane Emerick
State Government has thwarted Surf Coast Shire council’s attempts to take over management of the region’s foreshore.
Department of Sustainability and Environment south-west regional director Ian Voigt told council in a letter this week that the bid was not “justifiable” or “appropriate”.
Councillors had asked Planning Minister Justin Madden to give the shire management control over Crown coastal land between Torquay and Lorne last month.
The takeover bid followed an outbreak of community anger at the government’s existing foreshore management body, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.
The committee had stirred community anger with controversial plans including a failed bid to install parking meters at surf beaches and to build a unisex toilet block on Torquay’s The Esplanade.
Councillors cited duplication of services and inadequate community consultation on projects as reasons for taking over the coast committee.
But Mr Voigt said a takeover was not up for discussion.
“I acknowledge and am encouraged by your council’s interest in and its desire to contribute to coastal Crown land management within the municipality,” he wrote.
“It would not, however, be justifiable or appropriate to change coastal land management arrangements within the municipality at this time.
“I take this time to encourage your council to continue to work with and support GORCC in its important task.”
Mr Voigt said the government would offer the committee “community engagement training…to improve (its) performance in this area”.
The knock-back angered councillors who had supported the takeover.
Cr Roly Livingstone said he was unhappy.
“I think the biggest disappointment is the letter came from someone other than the minister himself and council hasn’t been given the respect it should on such an important decision,” Cr Livingstone said.
Cr Ron Humphrey said “community engagement training” for the committee would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“People on the committee have been mayor, councillor and president of the Victorian Local Governance Association. Training in community engagement is not the issue – it’s the willingness that’s not there,” Cr Humphrey said.
“I believe council’s position has just been pushed aside.”
Coast committee executive officer David Clarke welcomed Mr Voigt’s letter.
“We’re happy with the response from the state and the support expressed from the minister and we’ll continue to work with council,” Mr Clarke said.
“I think community engagement training sounds good.”