SUPPOSED “contradictions” in the Hastings Foreshore Precinct Plan were highlighted in the Tuesday 12 September Talking Fishing show on Channel 31.
Much of the show was dedicated to discussing concerns about the scope and depth of the plan, such as the lack of community input into the month-long public survey which attracted only 27 respondents willing to discuss their likes and dislikes about the foreshore, what they did there, pressing issues, conflicts between users and possible improvements.
The show, hosted by Future Fish Foundation director David Kramer, also criticised the design of the proposed boat ramp parking area, saying it will encourage pedestrians to cross near the boat ramp area. The program also pointed out that the overflow parking area would be smaller.
A letter featuring on the Talking Fishing Facebook page refers to a 1991 letter from the shire to the commodore of the Hastings Yacht Club during an earlier incarnation of the Hastings Foreshore Precinct Plan. The letter shows his concerns about moving the path across the front of the yacht club – as is proposed now – and agrees it would be “dangerous”.
It stated it would amend the draft plan to instead run the path behind the yacht club and the boat ramp – which the angling club and yacht club say should now happen.
“There are so many contradictions in the plan,” Westernport Angling Club spokesman Don Newman said. “In the boating demand and capacity survey it states: ‘Demand is likely to increase into the future’ – yet they are reducing parking capacity,” Mr Newman said.
“The plan also states the angling club’s activities ‘contribute positively to the precinct and should continue’. Yet the plan urges removal of the club’s building and the grass area where the annual whiting challenge presentation is held.
“There is no positive suggestion as to where the angling club building should be relocated. The plan states that the ‘yacht club is presently at capacity and requires expansion’ yet they suggest that the angling club and/or the Dolphin Research Institute move in with the yacht club.”
The shire was asked for comment on the “contradictions” but did not respond by deadline.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is asking for public comment via a drop-in session at Hastings Community Hub, 5.30-7.30pm, Thursday 21 September, as well as an on-line survey before 2 October.
First published in the Western Port News – 19 September 2017
