History ‘at risk’

Kim Waters
BULLDOZERS will turn the last untouched part of Queenscliff’s historical wharf into a car park if developers have their way, concerned residents have warned.
They said private operator Queenscliff Harbour and Parks Victoria proposed to demolish “historic” buildings and fill in a boat slip and a dingy berth for a new car park.
Queenscliff’s Deb Brearley said the area was “locked up” for private development and would end up looking “just like any other generic marina in the world”.
She believed Parks Victoria, who leased the area to Queenscliff Harbour, had ignored the site’s “historical significance”.
“Parks Victoria call themselves the healthy parks people but they’re allowing the destruction of a historically significant site because it’s the cheapest option to fill it all in and make a car park rather than clean it up,” Ms Brearley said.
“Queenscliff trades on its history and we’re going to make a huge car park out of this beautiful little area.”
Ms Brearley said the plans had “appalled” visitors and residents.
“We hope council rejects the proposal and saves this historical site.”
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said the proposal was stage four of a redevelopment plan for Queenscliff’s harbour.
However, Parks Victoria had not set “concrete plans” for the site, the spokesperson said.
“Parks Victoria is currently working closely with council and the community to develop the best options for improving the site,” the spokesperson said.
“The whole project is focused around making the wharf safe again as it’s quite past its used-by date.
“We will be developing options for the future based on community consultation and will continue to talk to council, the community and key stakeholders regarding the plans.”
A Queenscliff council spokesperson said councillors had “taken note” of residents’ concerns and would continue working with consultants for “the best possible solution”.
“It’s important that we keep the communication channels open on this one, as residents hold some genuine concerns,” the spokesperson said.
“If we get a planning application that meets all the requirements that we’re required to be diligent about then those sorts of things will go through.”
The redevelopment application also included works to demolish “failed sections” of a seawall, reconstruction of a new sea wall and relocation of a floating pontoon.