Community
5 February, 2025
Debate continues over bay views
MEMBERS of the community raised their concerns with the ongoing decking works at Port Campbell during last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
As Western District Newspapers reported last week, members of the wider community have objected to the design of a new viewing platform overlooking the beach at Port Campbell.
The design of the decking, specifically the balustrade, has drawn the ire of the community who feel the design obstructs the scenic view, is not accessible for those living with a disability, and feel the community was not adequately consulted.
Three speakers joined the meeting last Tuesday during the open forum section to call for answers on the contentious development.
Port Campbell’s Michelle Rowney said she did not believe the shire had undertaken sufficient community consultation, and sought clarification on the specific process the shire had undertaken to consult the wider community.
“As this balustrade went up, I was horrified,” she said.
“I started to ask a few more questions and I spoke to members of the reference group and found there hadn’t really been any community consultation about this balustrade.
“I’d like to learn what there was, and then to learn going forward because it’s much better that everyone is happier going forward.
“I’ve never seen Port Campbell more united to be quite honest – there’s people that I’ve disagreed with a lot and all of a sudden I’m agreeing with them.
“The community is upset by the balustrade, and I guess going forward it’s about trying to understand how we got to this.”
The question of what specific consultation Corangamite Shire Council had taken was addressed to director sustainable development Justine Linley, who said she could not go in to detail during the meeting but that the first community reference group meeting had been held in September 2017.
“There were a number of different subsequent meetings between 2017 to 2020,” she said.
“The eventual design was approved by council in August 2020 – that hasn’t changed substantially at all.”
The next speaker, however, disagreed with the assertion changes has been minimal.
Sue Younis, a member of the Port Campbell Reference Group, said she believed the design during the planning phase was notably different from the design seen during construction.
“The final plan of the streetscape delivered at the August 2020 council meeting depicted the circular seating pods under the Norfolk Pines,” she said.
“The side view shows a balustrade that can be seen through.
“The committee was informed at this stage that the plans were made final, and, from then on, the community would only be invited to have further input into the street furniture, plantings and street artwork.”
Peter Younis provided councillors with documentation highlighting the deviation from the original designs, which he said showed greater visibility.
“The community didn’t ask for this particular design. This is a terrible design,” he said.
“How many of you with a sea view would put a solid wall up?”
Mr Younis acknowledged there was a “terrific” view from the platform, but felt both the community and the shire had been misled by plans as to how obstructive the balustrade would be.
“I think the designers have failed, I hope they have good professional indemnity, because this design is terrible,” he said.
“It does not fulfil any criteria for a design of a structure put in place for the views it had.
“With respect to the designer, I think they’ve got a lot to answer for – they’ve duped us.
“Most of us who think clearly are not blaming council for this.
“We got caught out as well – none of us thought this design was going to look how it looks. They have a real case to answer.”
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