Island Voice AGM highlights concerns

Island Voice is a local organisation formed to provide a voice for the island and community members, on a diverse range of issues..

At its recent AGM, accountability and transparency of local, state and federal governments was the advertised topic up for discussion.

To the disappointment of those present, guest speaker Dean Hurlston from Council Watch was a late cancellation, unable to attend due to an unforeseen family health crisis.

The void was filled by Island Voice president Peter Paul, who reported at length on the issues Island Voice have tackled over the last 12 months.

Concern was aired at a perceived lack of communication between the council and the community, over a number of issues.

“You cannot have effective discussion without communication. As the community is not getting a hearing by the Bass Coast Shire Council on many issues of concern, they remain unresolved,” Mr Paul said.

Along with the concerns around the timeline for sporting facilities in the new recreation reserve master plan (Advertiser, October 11), a range of local issues and concerns were discussed.

Parking:

Parking problems continue to be an issue in Cowes. It was suggested these were a result of the consistent waiving of parking requirements for new developments by successive councils over the past two decades.

Carols by the Bay:

Island Voice has taken over the running of Carols by the Bay, an annual pre-Christmas event on the Cowes foreshore.

Its future was looking uncertain after the withdrawal of the Combined Churches from the organising committee last year.

Island Voice stepped in, and the event was a hugely successful night with an estimated crowd of 4000.

“It is a highlight of the island year, as far as bringing community groups together,” Mr Paul said.

Volunteers, performers, and sponsors work together to present the evening, and Bass Coast Shire Council funds the wonderful fireworks display that concludes the celebration.

Island Voice is holding a fundraising trivia night on Wednesday October 25 to raise money to help offset the costs of the children’s entertainment provided on the night. (See advertisement in this edition if you would like trivia tickets).

Phillip Island a national park:

Island Voice said it will discuss an issue raised by Jeff Floyd, former Phillip Island Nature Park Board Chair, in a letter to the Advertiser last month. Mr Floyd suggested that Phillip Island should be declared as a national park.

“How do we preserve what we have here, because when it is gone it is gone forever,” was the question raised by Mr Paul at the AGM, as a follow up.

“Would national park status make this possible? Would extending control of all beaches on Phillip Island by PINP make a positive difference?”

The Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Strategy:

Island Voice called on the state government to release the findings of the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) Strategy, commissioned back in 2018.

A report on the DAL was handed to the state government in August, after an independent planning panel heard from more than 70 parties and 30 witnesses, as well as receiving 750 written submissions.

The submissions were in response to a draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP).

In August, the Department of Transport and Planning told the Advertiser it was “currently considering the findings and recommendations”.

The department said the draft SPP would be endorsed by public entities following consideration of public submissions and the independent advice of the committee.

Island Voice said it was unclear why the findings and recommendations are yet to be released by the government.

Island Voice supports the retention of current township boundaries and opposes any extension of these.

“We are at a tipping point. Phillip Island needs planning protection, and it needs it now,” is the Island Voice stance.

“Development outside existing town boundaries must be contained.

“We call on the state government to release the findings of the DAL.

“Island Voice finds it disturbing that the state government has not released the findings of this much anticipated report, which was completed months ago. We need it now. Not tomorrow.

“Overdevelopment is a major community concern. But until this report is released, we are unable to move forward in terms of the development of appropriate planning provisions for Phillip Island.”

Revegetation of CA79:

Former Bass Coast Shire CEO Ali Wastie was approached by Island Voice two years ago with a proposal to plant out the perimeter of the 32-hectare Sports Hub site on the corner of Phillip Island and Ventnor roads, so that established vegetation will be in place as sporting facilities there are developed.

“Island Voice envisages a community project, supported by sponsorship, similar to the project undertaken 100 years by island benefactor WE Thompson which resulted in the establishment of the Cowes avenue of cypress.

“Ms Wastie did not get back to Island Voice on this proposal. There has been no interest from council in following up on this request.

“This is still something that Island Voice would like to pursue, as a major whole community event, involving sporting and other clubs.”

Wildlife kills:

Island Voice believes more need to be done when it comes to reducing wildlife fatalities on local roads and supports Island Voice member Ron Day in his crusade to have speed limits reduced in high risk areas to address this problem.

“The number of road kills on Phillip Island is totally unacceptable and requires immediate and ongoing attention.”