Harbour offer set for project

Andrew Mathieson
LEOPOLD is set for its own boating facility after the town’s councillor welcomed an offer of a free harbour.
Cr Rod Macdonald said he hoped the harbour to open in the “next year or two” after council finished work on other infrastructure projects.
“I think it’s a great idea and it’s something I’d like to pursue,” Cr Macdonald said.
“At this point there are a lot of priorities (council) has for Leopold that will take precedence….but a (harbour) facility is something I’ll get to when we get moving.”
The Independent reported last week that land owner Denis More was willing to hand over the harbour he illegally built five years ago after council recently lifted a development moratorium on the site.
Council forced Mr More to block the harbour’s entrance to Corio Bay with rocks after discovering he built the harbour without a permit.
Mr More, who has a permit to build a caravan park near the harbour, said he would donate it to council so it could deliver a 2006-2016 strategic plan objective of a “boat launching facility” for Leopold.
Cr Macdonald confirmed he had been in brief talks with Mr More.
The harbour donation would be “a great gesture”, Cr Macdonald said.
“I support that and I know that the broader community supports it, so I will be pursuing it but at this point Denis hasn’t gone any further with making any firm commitments yet other than he’s interested.
“I intend to follow it up because I think it will be great and provide another valuable community recreational resource.”