Queenscliff reserves” ‘Public to lose on plan’

Jessica Benton
QUEENSCLIFF could lose community facilities and public land under a council plan to redesign the town’s recreation reserves, according to a former councillor.
Queenscliff’s David Kenwood said he was “appalled” at the Borough of Queenscliffe’s draft recreation reserve precinct master plan.
He said it would “destroy” public infrastructure and facilities essential to the community.
“This proposal is going to cause a loss of many community facilities and public land,” he said.
“These facilities include the neighbourhood house, the tennis courts, parkland and public land as well as parts of the adjacent camping area. This will impact greatly on visitors and residents.”
Mr Kenwood accused the borough of chasing revenue at the expense of residents and visitors.
“It’s all about increased revenue at the loss of community facilities,” he said.
“That’s what gets up my nose.”
Mr Kenwood said the borough had failed to consult the community “properly” on the reserve plan.
A council-appointed committee driving the project also had inadequate community representation, he said.
Borough project manager Natalie Walker said council was working with all affected sport clubs to “adequately plan” their facilities under the master plan.
She said the draft plan was unfinished and would go before council in “a few months”.
The Independent was unable to contact Mayor Pat Semmens or borough chief executive officer Kaylene Conrick for comment.
The borough began work on the draft plan last year.
The project covers a recreation precinct next to Fort Queenscliff incorporating Victoria Park, a bowls and sports area, Ocean View Caravan Park, the town’s football oval and public land at Shortland Bluff.
The draft plan proposed to “consolidate and enhance” cricket and football facilities, replace existing permanent caravans and camping facilities with cabins and cottages, upgrade the bowls club, create shared tennis and netball courts and “centralise management” of the area with the borough.
Council would carry out the project over five to 10 years.
The plan targets revenue from Crown land reserves and government grants as funding sources.