Coal Creek decision making platform skewed, Cr Darakai says

COAL Creek’s future will be up for discussion from next month, with South Gippsland Shire councillors endorsing a Discussion Paper on the topic and locking in a consultation period running from January 22 until March 31, 2024.

As outlined in the Sentinel-Times December 12 edition, the Discussion Paper puts forward three options for Coal Creek, being revitalisation, new direction or closure and is intended to encourage community members to provide their thoughts on what should happen with Coal Creek.

During Wednesday’s December council meeting, Cr Adrian Darakai hit out at the Coal Creek draft Discussion Paper, arguing it was designed to steer people away from considering the option of closure, and that changes should be made to the document before commencing public consultation.

“What I find this Discussion Paper about Coal Creek lacking is balance,” Cr Darakai said.

He objected to the level of focus in the document on the costs involved in closing Coal Creek, suggesting the way in which the three options for its future are presented is like offering people the choice between a mouldy apple and a couple of tasty pieces of fresh fruit, with revitalisation or new direction presented as tantalising choices.

Cr Sarah Gilligan spoke of the tough financial climate in which council operates, saying it is not immune to the current world economic situation.

“Many of our council assets, like Coal Creek, could actually be called liabilities,” she said, noting council spends a lot of money on the park and museum every year.

Cr Gilligan said community members need to detail what Coal Creek means to them and the level of council expenditure they feel it should attract.

Cr Scott Rae noted the varying opinions he hears of Coal Creek, ranging from it being a great asset to being “the can that’s been kicked down the road by 
successive councils”.

He said while Coal Creek has been the subject of discussion and ideas for years, it is time to get a clear understanding of what the community wants for the facility.

“We want your feedback, and then we’ll make a balanced decision on what we’re told,” Cr Rae said.

South Gippsland Shire Council allocated $40,000 in its budget to assess what it should do in relation to Coal Creek’s future.

Korumburra-based Cr Jenni Keerie expressed her fondness for Coal Creek but said a decision needs to be made on whether council turns it into what it could be or closes it down and hands donated memorabilia back to families.

She said council will make the decision based on the feedback received.

“We do know there are definite costs to closure,” she declared, backing up the Discussion Paper’s message that shutting Coal Creek would be an expensive, complex and time-consuming option.