Shire’s ever-growing list of funding priorities

By Nick Sinis

WITH the State Election just weeks away, Bass Coast Shire has a number of high priority projects and future plans hinging on crucial funding from whichever party is elected. 

The Sentinel-Times spoke with Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan who detailed some of the key projects and initiatives that council continues to advocate for. 

Climate change

Key aspect: Shire seeking $10.8 million to deliver climate mitigation and adaptation works and supports policy change.

“We’re keen for a real step up in activity in the area on climate change,” he said.

“That’s supporting community energy, we know the government has got big plans for electric vehicles and we’ll be rolling that out.

“We’re really pushing for as much activity in those areas as possible and of course coastal erosion, particularly around Inverloch and other hotspots as well.

“We’ve been pushing for around that $11m mark.”

Aquatic facilities

Key aspect: Shire seeking $79.3 million to deliver a two-pool strategy to deliver a new facility in Wonthaggi and build one on Phillip Island.

“The Wonthaggi pool is getting towards the end of its life, and we need one on Phillip Island,” he said.

“There’s been a commitment (of funding) from the Coalition (Island pool), that’s encouraging but nothing from any other parties.”

Cowes Cultural Centre

“Bottom line, council is the biggest funder of that,” he said.

“What we’re trying to do is operate the cultural centre in Wonthaggi and Cowes as a unit.

“What we’re after is for the state (government) to assist us with some support in programming to bring those two centres together.

“We’re after $150k a year over three years for that.”

San Remo and Inverloch activity centre plans

“There’s been some great work around Cowes and Wonthaggi for these town centre plans, and we think it’s really important to do that at San Remo and Inverloch,” he said.

“For example parking, where should we be parking people? Especially during the busy periods in summer.

“In San Remo, how to access Phillip Island Road.

“We’re pushing for a big project with Rural Roads Victoria, up to $26m, to upgrade the roads at San Remo.

“This includes traffic lights and re-arrangement of all those roads.

“We’re really keen on that and would like to see the major parties step up on that.”

Improved public transport

“Transport into and around Bass Coast is severely lacking in the number of services and connectivity,” Cr Whelan stated in a recent Mayor’s message.

“There is a developed public transport network for Bass Coast Shire, which covers the main townships. However, it is infrequent and, in the case of the town buses, does not operate on weekends. 

“We seek Public Transport Victoria (PTV) to initiate a broad-ranging review of the current bus services in the Bass Coast Shire to determine needs and demands for public transport within the community. 

“The main areas of current concern are:

The lack of a regular bus service to and from Cape Paterson and Wonthaggi on Saturdays and Sundays utilising the Wonthaggi Town Service bus route.

The need for the extension of the bus route to provide a bus stop for residents who live at The Cape Estate in Cape Paterson.

“The review would also help identify how the transport system will cope with the ongoing growth in Bass Coast, in particular, in the areas of resident population, tourism and freight.”