Candidates lay out their cards to Island residents

EROSION, a pool for Phillip Island, the government’s distinctive areas and landscapes policy and many other topics were the focus of a candidates’ forum last week.

Hosted by community organisation Island Voice at Phillip Island RSL, residents wasted no time in asking the hard questions.

Most of the night consisted of pre-submitted questions, with current member for Bass Jordan Crugnale, Greens candidate Callum Bugbird, Nationals Brett Tessari, Liberals Aaron Brown and Independent Jeni Jobe in attendance. 

Aquatics

One of the first questions asked was if the parties would commit to an aquatic facility for Phillip Island. 

Bass Coast Shire has developed a two-pool strategy which is seeking significant funding from federal and state governments, and advocates for both a new facility in Wonthaggi and Phillip Island.

Council had purchased land, known as the Cowes Carnival site, in anticipation for the future ‘Phillip Island Aquatics and Recreation Precinct.’

While Ms Crugnale acknowledged the dire need for aquatic facilities on the Island, she hinted that council needed to “take the lead”.

“They (council) need to put money into both of them (pools) and work with the state government for various grants and the federal government,” she said.

“It needs to be a three-way partnership.”

Mr Brown was quick to point out the Coalition had committed to funding of $42m towards an aquatic facility on the Island. 

Citing council documents, he stated that Wonthaggi already had facilities which were still suitable for the time being.  

“The reality is right now as we stand, Wonthaggi has a pool and Phillip Island doesn’t,” he said.

“The Coalition will build it, if we’re elected.”

Greens candidate Callum Bugbird was quite direct in his answer, stating aquatic facilities were “not on his agenda whatsoever”.

“It’s not a key election issue for us,” he said.

Ms Jobe also voiced her support for an aquatic facility.

Distinctive areas  and landscapes 

Another pressing question was the delay of the government’s distinctive areas and landscapes (DAL) policy, which Ms Crugnale announced recently wouldn’t be finalised for at least 12 months. 

This is due to submissions on the draft documents being referred to a Standing Advisory Committee for independent advice.

This caused considerable concern among community groups, residents and council, with the shire stating that the delays have impacted their “strategic planning program, particularly developer led rezoning applications”.

The question posed to Ms Crugnale stated there were risks and fears that some developments which may not comply with the DAL, could be pushed through before its finalisation.

“Technically the minister could have signed it off as a draft,” Ms Crugnale replied.

“And it would have met the timeline of having it done by the election.

“However, based on the number of submissions, it was referred off to the independent standing committee.

“I think this is a really positive step because we know with the woodlands and Cape Paterson, to have their voices heard in an independent and expert (panel) will then determine what the final DAL plan is.”

Mr Tessari highlighted concerns that the delay left no protections for sand mining extensions in the shire, as well as the northern town boundary expansion for Cape Paterson.

“The moratorium that the Nationals committed to now becomes crucial because there is a delay for 12 months,” he said.

“The Nationals have committed to a moratorium with no more (mining) licences until the DAL has been finalised.”

Erosion

One of the attendees at the forum, a Silverleaves resident, queried if the level of funding and attention at Inverloch for erosion would be focused on Phillip Island.

“I really want to talk about the Island and the northern beaches,” the attendee said.

“We’ve had some success for restoration work in Cowes east thanks to the government.

“But there’s still a lot of hot spots at Cowes west, east and particularly Silverleaves.

“My question to the candidates is in the next four years if elected, what would you offer the community here for support for coastal erosion at our northern beach?”

Mr Tessari highlighted the Coalition’s funding commitment for Inverloch and confirmed he would be dedicated to the issue.

Mr Bugbird confirmed his party’s stance on erosion as part of tackling climate change, and would commit to restoring the dune system among other measures. 

Mr Brown highlighted that he had spoken to the resident on the matter previously, and would have further discussions with his party to seek funding of up to $50k for an engineer report.

Ms Jobe also said the issue was important and had her full support.

Ms Crugnale mainly focused her reply on the work being done at Inverloch as part of the Cape to Cape Resilience project, but acknowledged that it had her support too.