The public will finally have its say on Queenscliff Harbour’s proposed stingray feeding tourist attraction, with a workshop and series of “Open House" sessions planned in coming days. 

Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd (QHPL) has unveiled its much anticipated community consultation process – a mandatory step before it can gain the Coastal Management Act consent (CMA) required for the project to go ahead. 

“[We are] committed to considering community views and ideas in relation to the proposed revitalisation of Fisherman’s Wharf,” said Harbour manager Sean Blackwood.

“We genuinely want to work with the community to come up with a way to revitalise the precinct in a way that respects our community’s views and ideas, and delivers a sustainable marine attraction.”

The community engagement program, commencing on Tuesday April 5, will include four open house drop-in sessions and a facilitated workshop, from which a revised proposal wil be developed.

“At the first two Open House sessions, the existing proposal will be displayed for discussion, and community ideas and submissions on alternative proposals will be invited for discussion and consideration,” Mr Blackwood said. 

“Queenscliff Harbour executives and subject matter experts will be in attendance to assist with queries.” 
Once the revised proposal has been formalised, a further two Open House sessions will be held to present the outcome, he said.

The existing plan includes a 150 seat stingray feeding stadium and outdoor cinema and redevelopment of Fisherman’s Wharf. 

More than 1500 people have signed petitions opposing the proposal. 

​Details of the Community consultation process can be found on page 33 of this edition or online: www.queenscliffharbour.com.au.
​

An annual junior surfing event may be forced to move from Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove because of safety concerns posed by the eroding front beach. 

The Point Lonsdale Boardrider’s Club (PLBRC) is concerned rocks now prominent on the disappearing coastline pose a genuine risk to participants of its popular Grom’s Day Out.

President Ross Bird has urged authorities to start looking at remedies to stem the loss of sand, including the possible re- installation of timber groynes. 

“Photographs from the past show the Point Lonsdale front beach with a sandy beach, with limited rocks. Surfers from the 50s,60s and 70s remember a very different beach than is there today. Yes, there have always been rocks on the beach but today most of the beach area opposite the shops has rocks exposed,” Mr Bird told The Rip.

“It has been suggested that the original series of wooden groynes is the best solution. Unlike a solid rock wall, the wooden groynes allow water to pass through but traps the sand. 

“I believe its time we put our heads together and came up with a solution that reclaims the sand. I doubt it will be cheap but it will benefit locals, tourists and also the local economy that will suffer if we don’t have a beach,” he said. 

The Grom’s Day Out is scheduled to take place on Sunday April 10. Traditionally it attracts upwards of 50 junior surfers. 

The Club will make a decision in coming days on whether or not to shift the event to Ocean Grove, Mr Bird said. 

Point Lonsdale Morning Swimmers Group member Mandy Grbac echoed Mr Bird's concerns: “On fuller tides, we have had to change where we enter the water as the rocks and the old groynes are razor sharp and a number of hands and feet have been cut over the summer.

“It’s a very dangerous environment especially when you see young kids who love surfing ‘off the wall’ - once the surf is at high tide it hits the wall and gives a free ride back out again.”

Mrs Grbac said concerns were raised at a meeting with Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) officials late last year, but appear to have fallen on deaf ears. 

“I voiced my opinion at that meeting back then but I don’t think they listened, hence they only continued with the building of the rock wall below the bowling club but no groynes. It’s a no brainer,” she said. 

A Borough of Queenscliffe spokesperson said recent weather had contributed to “short term erosion” at the beach. 

“All beaches along the coast can be impacted by erosion. Sand levels on local beaches rise and fall. Short-term coastal erosion is a normal coastal process and natural occurrence,” she said. 

"DELWP and the Borough of Queenscliffe are monitoring sand movement at the Point Lonsdale Bight and if new structures are required we will work with the community on how they will look and where they will be located.

“The beach is still open and available for normal coastal uses including surfing, fishing, walking, swimming and surfing. People should remain aware that there may be less sand to play on with exposed bedrock, bluestone rubble and old wooden groyne pylons now visible.”

The Department is preparing sand monitoring guidelines to better understand and record sand movements at Point Lonsdale. 

“Residents and interested groups will be asked to provide regular photos and measurements of sand levels on the beach,” said DELWP Senior Environmental Planner Frances Northeast. 

More than $300,000 has been spent on remedial works at the beach in the past 12 months - chiefly on a new rock wall at the base of the playground. 
​
Further works to repair the bluestone seawall are due to start this month. 

Queenscliffe Councillors are at loggerheads over how residents should be charged for their kerbside waste collection, amid revelations some households could be slugged several hundred dollars more than others for the same service. 

At a recent rate strategy meeting Councillors voted 3 – 2 to retain the Capital Investment Value (CIV) system of setting the fee, rather than applying a flat service charge. 

It means homeowners will pay an amount based on the value of their property.  Initial modeling indicates the differential between lowest rated and top end homes could be upwards of $700.

Councillor Peter Russell, who together with Sue Wasterval opposed the differential rate, said most residents would be shocked to learn of the variance.

“I’ve argued for openness and inclusiveness in the community by showing where the costs to council is and this is an example of it,” he said. 

“On one hand you think that it’s fair but it’s a bit like a revolving door. You don’t know where and who is going to get hit by this because it gets back to the CIV of your home rather than being one fair and equitable charge for everyone.

“I’m arguing that the fairness factor is a single unitary charge. Now rightly or wrongly as to what that could be, that’s where the Council needs to justify it."

The borough has applied the CIV method to waste for some 25 years, but the charges have previously been hidden within the general municipal rate. Queenscliffe is one of just seven of the 79 Councils not to recover garbage costs separately. 

As a result of the state government’s new 2.5% rate cap, three waste charges – green, public and kerbside – will for the first time be itemised separately on the rates notice. 

Residents pay a flat fee of around $41 and $82 for the first two services. The CIV system will only apply to kerbside collection, under the current draft proposal. 

Commercial and vacant land properties that do not have access to the service will no longer contribute to the cost. 

The complicated CIV formula means Point Lonsdale, which has roughly two thirds of the borough’s rateable properties, could be largely subsidising Queenscliff home owners, Mr Russell claimed. 

“The worry I’ve got is that CIV is just so emotionally charged. Can you imagine people at a party talking about it and one person saying I pay $300 and the other saying I pay $500.  

“In this community roughly under a million dollars is the waste cost. Now it’s a pretty simple calculation thereafter for people to say we divide the number of houses into the waste cost and that gives what our waste cost should be,” he said. 

“I think all of us at Council are almost 100 percent [in unison] on the rest of the rating strategy except this one little garbage charge. It’s a real wildcard at the moment.” 

The draft modelling indicates a flat fee would cost each household around $185. 

Mayor Helene Cameron and Councillors Bob Merriman and Susan Salter voted to maintain the CIV. However Cr Merriman stressed no final decision has been made.

Its removal charge could result is a massive hit to those less well off in the community, he argued.

“We have made no decisions, no decisions at all, we are just looking at the different models that will accomplish the state government’s 2.5 percent cap and it’s okay to recover all waste charges. 

“The challenge is this; is it right for people to be paying more for any waste than others given that it’s been the practice in the borough for the past 20 years.”

If a flat charge is introduced almost half of residents will suffer a rate increase in real terms of more than 7 percent. Some could rise by as much as 15 percent. 

Conversely the municipal costs of top rated properties will drop to around 2 percent, according to Cr Merriman. 

Under the present budget proposal the rate increase for all households in real terms (general rate rise plus garbage charges) will be around 4 percent. 

The bottom line of rateable properties, valued at around $400,000, are presently paying $122 for the service. Top end properties are paying more than $900. 
​
“The question is, is that fair and the answer is probably no but let me say this to you, that same spread would apply to all of our services whether it be roads, whether it be drains, whether it be trees,” Cr Merriman said.  
​

FOOTBALL - A revitalised Queenscliff is set to take on Bellarine Football League (BFL) powerhouse Geelong Amateurs in the season’s opener this weekend. 

The home ground clash will be an early measure of the talent pool the Coutas have acquired over the off-season. 

It will also represent something of a baptism of fire for the league’s youngest coaching duo – Johnno Casey and Andrew Hodgson. 

“I can’t wait to be perfectly honest,” said Casey. “Pre season is always a long one and it’s always good and exciting to get to round one but obviously at a new club it’s even more exciting. I’m nervous at the same time. 

“Coming up against the best side in the competition in round one is a bit of a challenge but you’ve got to play them at some point and it’s probably going to give us a good idea early as to where we are at,” he said. 
The Coutas go in with a fully fit line up – apart from stalwart defender Stephen Owen who has suffered a setback with the shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of last season. 

The side has been bolstered with the return of former premiership players Daniel Gibbs, Daniel De Gois and Jayden Durran and the inclusion of new recruits Jason Graham (Bell Park), Kaden Newton (Colac) and Josh Black (Colac). 

Having finished seventh last year, ending a glory triple premiership run, Casey says the aim is to make the finals.

"Revitalised is a good word for the team, we’ve had a strong pre-season and we’ve added a lot of speed to the side and some very subtle changes to the game plan. 

"Everybody is really excited, the numbers at training have been fantastic and I think everybody is really on board,” Casey said.
​
“Having missed out last year our number one goal at the moment is to get the Coutas back into the finals. Realistically I think we’ve got a great opportunity to challenge the top two sides but we don’t want to set our goals too high. We want to get to the finals and any better than that is an absolute win for us. “

It is 30 years since the last lifeboat Queenscliffe was pushed through the front windows of the Maritime Museum, with only centimetres to spare, to take up its position as one of the facility’s most important exhibits. 

The Museum itself opened its doors to the public for the first time in November 1986.

This month’s Queenscliff Maritime Weekend will pay homage to the role of our lifeboat men. The poster advertising the event is taken from an original illustrated certificate that was issued to the crew.

“Marten Syme is one of our Fishy Tales speakers and is author of the book, Lifeboats of Victoria. He was part of the reconstruction project for the lifeboat Port Fairy, Australia’s oldest built boat and Port Fairy’s rowing lifeboat, which still sails on special occasions,” said the Museum’s Meryl Hodgson.

“We oughta burn it" is the title of his talk and the attitude they very much met with their project.
​
“I guess both the Queenscliff and Port Fairy communities went through the demise of their lifeboats and the question of what do we do now with the boats. End came up with a solution to preserve this heritage,” Ms Hodgson said. 

The Maritime Weekend, from March 18-20, will again feature the Blessing of the Fleet – a tradition dating back to 1935 - and the Couta Boat Regatta. 

A reunion of surviving lifeboat men is also on the cards. 

“As part of our focus on lifeboats and thirty years of the Maritime Museum, we are also inviting those men who served with the Queenscliff Lifeboat service to get together at the museum, to chat about their time on the lifeboat and to do a photo shoot,” said Ms Hodgson.

The Queenscliffe was built in Adelaide and commenced service here in 1926.  She was taken out of service in 1976 by the Marine Board of Victoria. The vessel is listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. 

During her 50 years of service the Queenscliffe attended many calls including the search for prime minister Harold Holt and the rescue of Army Commandos in 1960. 

It was housed in the still existing shed on the Queenscliff pier.
​
For more information visit maritimequeenscliffe.org.au

The Queenscliff Football Netball Club has backed a dramatic shake-up of Geelong region competitions that could ultimately result in the Coutas being relegated from the Bellarine Football League (BFL).
 
The far-reaching changes are contained in a strategic plan, circulated to all affected clubs by AFL Barwon (AFLB) in recent weeks. 

Proposals in the document are aimed at both growing and correcting a current imbalance in football and netball competitions in Geelong (GFL), Bellarine and Geelong and District (GDFL) divisions over the next 10 years. 

Included is the introduction of a promotion and relegation system from next year – similar to the English Premier League soccer model. Under the plan two teams would be relegated out of both the GFL and BFL to create 10-team competitions.

The GFL would initially have 14 teams, with an eight-team final. Longer term, a second division of the GFL would be introduced to accommodate anticipated growth in both sports across Geelong.  

“These proposals aim to provide a more even competition and address the current situation where average winning margins in senior football and netball have significantly blown out in recent years.  The proposed four-division structure will also cater for an expanding regional Geelong population with the creation of additional clubs and teams at the junior and senior levels,” said QFNC Secretary Peter Callahan.

“We are pleased to note that the concept of promotion and relegation will be based on a whole of club assessment rather than solely the ladder position of the senior football team.  We believe it is vital that any decisions fully consider factors such as the depth and strength of the club’s junior and netball structures, financial stability, facilities, membership support and club governance structures. 

“We are also very pleased to note that netball will always remain in the same competition or division as football.  This is an important ingredient of community sporting clubs such as ours,” Mr Callahan said. 

AFL Barwon is yet to determine whether the changes should be introduced over two or three years. 

“[We acknowledge] these changes to the current competition structure that exists in the region are significant and that we need to move at a slower pace than originally proposed,” the organisation said. “However, given the evidence collected from around the state, we are of the opinion these changes are in the best interest in our efforts to grow participation, and in the best interests of the clubs.”

“On balance, with 34 clubs, it is clear that four divisions are needed to allow all clubs a reasonable opportunity to enjoy some on-field success over time. Initially having 10 teams in Division 1 and 2 will make both more competitive, it will also assist in the orderly movement of clubs. Once promotion and relegation has been implemented, divisions 3 and 4 will continue to evolve until both also have 10 teams.” 

Data contained in the blueprint show significant discrepancies in the current level of competition. the average winning margin of BFL games is over 13 goals. In the Bellarine Netball League the margin is 27 goals. 

“Queenscliff has enjoyed a measure of success in recent years and we are working hard to remain competitive in the BFL.  We are also hopeful that other teams located on the Bellarine Peninsula are able to continue to compete in the same league and maintain the local rivalry that has existed for many years,” said Mr Callahan.

“Our preference is that no relegation or promotion of teams should occur before the 2018 season.  This will allow the competition to adapt to the new points and salary caps which will commence operation in the 2016 season.”

Research undertaken indicates a potential for anywhere between 16 and 37 new football ovals in the Geelong region by 2030, including two in the green wedge between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale. 
​
“The new grounds in the COGG region alone will need to accommodate between 111-262 approximately new teams based upon participation forecasting. Without any new senior male teams, these additional players will need to fit into the current 68 senior and reserves teams that run out every week,” the document states.

Eleven local talents will battle it out in this month’s Bellarine Busking Competition. 

The event, a key part of the Point Lonsdale Bowls Club’s Crackerjack Fair, is being billed as a “Battle of the Bellarine Boroughs,” with entries from Queenscliff, Geelong, Clifton Springs, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, St Leonards and Torquay. 

The six hour event will be held on Sunday March 13 at the club and is free to attend. 

“We are hoping that people will come and support their local busker hero on the day,” said event spokesman Steve Tomming. 

The 12th annual Crackerjack Fair will also feature the ever-popular Pooch Parade, cake and Devonshire tea stalls, white elephant and silent auctions and entertainment, including the Andy Magee Magic Show. 

​The fun starts at 8.30am. 
​

One of Australia’s most important indigenous musicians, Frank Yamma, is among the impressive line up of performers and presenters at next month’s Sacredege Festival. 

The unique singer-songwriter from central Australia speaks five languages and sings in his native Pitjantjatjara and English. 

“His music is deeply evocative and we are so excited that he is coming to Sacrededge,” said coordinator Kerrie Lingham. 

The event, now into its third year, will feature upwards of 20 performers including Belfast-born poet and storyteller Padraig O’Tuama, host of Radio National’s The Spirit of Things, Rachael Kohn and Kurdish refugee Reza Yarahmadi.  

“Arriving with no English, Reza now presents on 3CR Radio and is planning to do his Bachelor in Human Rights at Melbourne Uni next year. He is a story to inspire us,” said Reverand Lingham. 

The Festival, hosted by Queenscliff’s Uniting Church, brings together the Indigenous, Asylum Seeker, Gay and Lesbian Community with people passionate about sustainability and mental health.  

“This is our response to a sometimes harsh and fearful world. Rather than debate and argue about the issues and speak as though people from diverse backgrounds are concepts, we facilitate relationships,” Rev Lingham said. 
​
The event runs from April 29 to May 1. Tickets are $139, if purchased  before the end of March. ($159 after) and can be purchased online at www.unitingqueenscliff.org.au

The Geelong Street Rodders have declared their recent Queenscliff show the biggest yet, with local community groups cashing in to the tune of more than $20,000. 

The annual Rod Run and Show n Shine events attracted more than 500 entries and a record 600 cars. 
“I think it was the biggest show by a mile, said President Ian Vaughan. “And I think it was a really well run event, everybody was well behaved. 

“There’s no doubt this is continuing to grow each year,” he said.

Dozens of spectators lined Hesse Street on the Saturday night to witness a procession of the vehicles. Many more poured into Princess Park for the Show n Shine display the following day. All proceeds of the weekend are distributed among local service and community groups. 

The Lions Club made in excess of $18,000, which will be distributed among its many charities and projects. 
The Point Lonsdale Tennis Club, which hosted a barbecue, pocketed in excess of $5,000 and a Mannerim CFA tin rattle raised more than $1,000. 
​
“We are just rapt that this event gives back to the community,” Mr Vaughan said.  "The feedback from police and from local business was very positive. I know for certain some shops had a very good weekend,” he said. 

Point Lonsdale Primary students fear the repeated theft of their school’s goal posts could impede their shot an an AFL career. The posts have been stolen twice in recent weeks, prompting a police investigation.

By Jhye Clark and George Limb - (School leaders)
 
This isn’t the first time it has happened and hopefully it will be the last because we’re paying a lot of money to replace these goal posts, money that could be used for other school programs.
 
Some stupid people have taken them out, cut them off, thrown them around, stolen them and goodness knows what else. 

It is very disappointing that people in our community think that it is fun to steal goal posts from schools.
It is most likely that people are stealing them and using them as flag poles, boat masts and even javelins along Bowen Road and the police agree with us.

We love seeing people using our grounds but we expect them to be respectful of our property. We have had the goal posts broken off and threaded through our basketball ring and on this past weekend it was a weatherboard.

We are sick of the constant vandalism and at the cost of $1295.00 to replace a set of goal posts and we just cannot keep replacing them. 

We are very sad that our goal posts are being stolen and now we have to use our own school jumpers as the goal posts and sometimes we don’t  even know  if it’s a goal or not. And that means we cannot play a good game of footy. They are ruining our dreams of playing for the Coutas now or the AFL in the future.
It is us the children of the Borough who miss out when things like this happen.

The police have been called and the thefts have been reported.
​
If you know anything please contact us at 5258 15 01 and if it is you just STOP!! 

Could a new festival involving beach sculptures and a chilly plunge into the bay be the answer to the Borough’s winter blues? 

The Rip Chamber of Commerce thinks so. The group is investigating the merits of a Winter Solstice event involving sculptures stretching from the ferry terminal to Point Lonsdale and a “walk the plank” attraction off the Queenscliff pier. 

Chamber President Tony Francis admitted the concept was very much in its infancy, but would aim to build on the borough’s growing reputation as an arts precinct and help boost winter tourism. 

“We as businesses want to be known as the capital or main place for something. What we are known for down here, which I don’t think we sell very well, is our cultural and arts offerings,” he told last month’s Point Lonsdale Civic Association meeting. 

“While there are a lot of good things happening like the Queenscliff Music Festival, from a business point of view, in the middle of winter it’s almost like a ghost town. Business really slows down and that’s obviously all about the weather. 

“So how can we in the middle of winter, maybe the school holidays in July, when it’s pretty cold and miserable, make this an exciting place for visitors to come down and for locals to put the jackets on and get out and about. 

“We want maybe some art shows through our galleries… and other community buildings.  We also want a bit of a gimmick - something fun, something light-hearted - so the idea of “walk the plank” has been floated,” he said. 

A plank would be placed on the Queenscliff pier and people encouraged to take a winter plunge, without wetsuits. 

A display of beach sculptures that would later form a string of bonfires are also among the early ideas being considered. 

“Community groups would build these sculptures on the sand made from natural materials – school groups and others – and we might have a dozen or more sites between the ferry and Point Lonsdale. At a point in time in the festival, maybe early evening, we would maybe light them up and it would create a great spectacle. It would look fantastic and welcome in the Winter Solstice,” Mr Francis said. 

The Winter Solsctice marks the shortest day (longest night)  of the year. This year it falls on June 20.
While the proposed event would be unique to Victoria, similar festivals are held elsewhere around the world. 

One of the biggest , Spain's  San Juan Summer Solstice Festival, features beach sculptures and bonfires and is a major tourist drawcard. An annual Festival of Bonfires along beaches in Louisianna also attracts large crowds. 

“Obviously all of the logistics need to be looked at, whether we can actually burn things on the beach we’re not too sure.  We’re in the very early stages of building the concept. 

“The idea is to basically have a fun festival in the middle of Winter, further promote our arts and culture and get community groups involved into an event that we can grow,” he said. 
​
Anybody wanting to assist with the concept is encouraged to contact the Chamber. 
​