Mayor’s message

By Bass Coast Shire Council Cr Michael Whelan

There are not many more contentious issues in Bass Coast at the moment than the proposed road and drainage upgrade works at Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates.

On one side of the debate are residents who have complained about the dust and road safety issues from unsealed roads and inadequate drainage causing flooding, muddy yards and concerns about mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water. 

They have also identified traffic safety issues and a need for safe pedestrian access through the estate.

And on the other side of the debate are residents who want to keep their country-style dirt roads and table drains and are concerned about the bill to seal the roads. 

Council’s responsibility to date has been to undertake significant consultation and prepare concept design plans, which will allow Council to inform property owners about the costs involved if the project goes ahead, and then ascertain the level of support for the project.

Council's Urban Road and Drainage Improvement Policy identified the Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates as the highest priority areas for possible infrastructure upgrades within the shire. 

The preferred concept design will cost a total of $35,049,972. 

It is the lowest cost option, and includes road sealing, kerb and channel, underground drainage, meandering footpaths on only the main connector roads, road narrowings to slow traffic and vegetated swale drains at selected locations.

If the project proceeds, Council will contribute $8,383,983 over a three year construction period. 

While Council is responsible for maintaining local roads, rates do not cover the majority of costs in significant redevelopments like this one. 

Given the level of investment required, a Special Charge Scheme can be used so the property owners who will benefit from the upgrades share in the cost. 

The average cost per property is $25,616 per property. 

The Special Charge Scheme model has successfully been used to upgrade the roads and drainage in other areas of Bass Coast Shire including Pioneer Bay, Cape Woolamai West, Pine Avenue and Churchill Drive in Cowes, as well as South Dudley.

But if more than half of the property owners lodge objections to the proposed Special Charge Scheme, then in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989, the project cannot proceed. 

If less than half object, then Council will decide on whether to proceed with the scheme.

Phillip Island is a special place. 

Projects like this seek to enhance the liveability of the region we all love, as well as put a stop to issues that have concerned local residents for years, like excessive dust, road safety and inadequate drainage. 

Now it’s up to the residents to decide.