Mayor's Message

By Cr Brett Tessari

This weekend was Halloween, and I've got to admit, it was great fun seeing it fall on a Saturday night.

Whether you think Halloween belongs in Australia is a debate for another day, but there's something pretty special about seeing kids and adults dressed up, wandering their town or neighbourhood and enjoying themselves.

When I was growing up, horror movies were the real event. I still remember the first time I watched Halloween.

That was enough for me. Michael Myers had me looking over my shoulder and considering hiding under the bed for a week.

But you know what's genuinely scary?

The thought of Bass Coast being left without a commitment to redevelop the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

I'm serious. Don't laugh.

We're now two weeks away from early voting, and, at the time of writing, neither major party has committed funding to redevelop our only year-round public pool.

In one of Victoria's most marginal electorates, that is a frightening prospect for the many families, schools, sporting clubs, seniors and community groups who rely on the facility.

Regional communities across Australia have spent years fighting to save pools facing closure or decline.

Some councils are considering closing some of their pools. Here in Bass Coast, we're fighting for the future of our one and only public aquatic centre.

And then there's the Western Port Woodlands.

You may have seen my recent question to the Minister: "Need a pen?" With caretaker provisions beginning, it's disappointing that the interim Environmental Significance Overlay remains unsigned.

The Western Port Woodlands are Victoria's largest remaining area of intact coastal woodlands.

Council has been advocating strongly for temporary planning protections while longer-term work continues. Delaying that decision leaves uncertainty where certainty is needed.

Thankfully, not everything is scary.

The community support behind both these issues has been extraordinary. People are paying attention, speaking up and advocating for the future of Bass Coast.

And if horror movies have taught me anything, it's that just when all hope seems lost, there's usually one last twist before the credits roll.

Let's hope that's how these stories end too.