THE Bass Coast Shire Council’s decision to start the process of declaring a special charge scheme for a section of The Esplanade, Surf Beach, between Sunderland Bay Road and Batman Street, is nothing if not scientific.
The bottom line is council intends picking up the tab for 73.64 per cent of an estimated total cost of $1.6 million to seal, drain and add footpaths in the area with council paying about $1.2 million, an additional $48,672 for drainage and leaving $409,391 to be covered by the 17 property owners along The Esplanade.
The council is agreeing to pay such a hefty share of the cost because most of the traffic along this section is generated by those from outside the adjoining private properties and also because of the overall community benefit.
In peak periods of traffic, it is estimated that there are 406 vehicle trips per day along this section of which 83 are generated from properties within the proposed scheme boundaries.
In off-peak periods of traffic, it is estimated that there are 227 vehicle trips per day along this section of The Esplanade of which 111 are generated from properties within the proposed scheme boundaries.
Community benefit includes:
1. The use of The Esplanade for tourist traffic, accessing beach carparks and other properties in Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay.
2. Cutting back on surface and stormwater discharge to outfalls
3. Use of The Esplanade as an emergency route
4. Reduced risk of sewerage overflows to the environment
5. Benefit to uses of Phillip Island Nature Parks and DEECA-managed reserves
Typically, the owners of the properties to be included in the scheme will pay between $20,000 and $29,000 but with the owner of one of the properties up for between $40,000 and $53,000.
However, while there’s a reprieve for the owners of homes along this section of The Esplanade from the dustbowl conditions over the summer, and the mud of winter, not so the users of Surfies’ Point Carpark.
In answer to a question from Susie Wickes about whether council was going to seal the carpark as part of the construction the section between Sunderland Bay Road and Batman Street, council said ‘no’ but left the door open.
“The carpark is not included as part of the scheme area. Council may consider sealing the carpark through its budget process in the future.”
Council plans to declare the scheme at its council meeting on September 17, 2025 council meeting.
Crs Ron Bauer and Tim O’Brien welcomed the initiative, Cr Bauer congratulating the shire’s administration on taking a section by section approach after the failure of the overall project.
“I think it’s really well done that these residents, according to reports, are looking forward to it and I hope it is then gradually rolled out across the whole estate,” said Cr Bauer.
Cr O’Brien said that by showing how the improvement would add to property values and the amenity of the area, he hoped it might convince those who had previously been holding out to join in.
How the awarding of such a high level of subsidy to property owners along The Esplanade affects other residents in the Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay estates, who might also like to see their roads sealed is yet to be seen.
