An eleventh hour push is underway to have tonnes of sand re-distributed on Point Lonsdale’s front beach to ensure its safety in time for Summer. 

Save Point Lonsdale Front Beach campaign organiser James Cotton has held talks  with Borough CEO Lenny Jenner in recent days, seeking Council support for the renourishment exercise. 

Residents have offered to help pay and one local contractor has put up his hand to carry out the works, Mr Cotton said. 

“Right now the real priority is to get some sand back in place for summer. We don’t want kids diving into rocks and stubbing toes and people falling over. 

“I told Mr Jenner if he can’t find the funding for it, we’ve got a local contractor who’s happy to do it at a good price and there’s enough around who have offered to chip in and pay for it so it’s not really a funding issue now for the Council, but he wants to be sure that it’s the right solution for a short term fix.

The state government has responded to the growing community concerns at the erosion by announcing an extensive review of sand movement.

The independent study, by coastal modelling consultants BMT WBM, will analyse 20 years of data to better understand what is causing the erosion and what can be done to safeguard the popular stretch of beach into the future.

“It’s fantastic news. It’s great to see that if the Council aren’t listening the state government is and DWELP has been fantastic through this process at the moment,” said Mr Cotton.

“The issue is that all the sand is piling up on the wrong side of the groyne and all of the waves are piling up on the wrong side of the groyne… you have this huge difference in sand levels from one side to the other. 

“We’re hoping the consultants will say that an original report, that recommended four groynes instead of just three and making them 100 metres long instead of 60, will be endorsed,” he said.
 
The study will incorporate contemporary knowledge, highlight information gaps and recommend long-term management strategies, according to Greg Leece, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Parks (DELWP) Barwon South West region Land Planning and Approvals Regional Manager.  
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 “The depletion and reappearance of sand was first observed and recorded in the late 19th century and has since been a frequent phenomenon, despite continual investment to retain sand at the site.

​Could a Bondi Beach-style ocean swimming pool be the answer to Point Lonsdale’s disappearing front beach woes? 

Consultants tasked with investigating erosion of the popular tourist beach, BMT WBM, have also been asked to consider whether a pool, supported by rock walls, could help in preventing the loss of sand. 

The idea has been spoken about for many years and was put forward as a tourism proposal during recent foreshore revitalisation deliberations. But it has gained renewed momentum with the  fresh community focus on beach erosion. 

"To my knowledge there's never been a proper study done and this is a great opportunity to look at it," said long time supporter Lester Hunt.

"Why go to the expense and effort of just  building groynes when you can at the same time do something that is going to be an absolute tourist drawcard.

"I've had discussions with lots of residents over the past years and many people think it's a sensational idea. "We definitely need two more groynes and in between them we can  incorporate a great tourist attraction and the point below the playground is the perfect spot. 

"It would be the first one in Victoria and given everybody has access to wetsuits it would be used all year round," Mr Hunt said.

Save Point Lonsdale Front Beach campaign spokesman James Cotton supported the idea, but said it was important to focus on finding an initial solution to erosion problems.

“I thought it was a great idea… and the consultants are going to consider it but I think for the local government to get their head around that would be a huge process that they would have to go through,” he said. “So let’s just get the solution in place, which really isn’t that hard, let’s just get the groynes in place and then we can go again and try to get a pool.”

There are about 100 ocean pools or baths in New South wales, mainly scattered along rocky stretches where waves can wash into the enclosures. 
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“It would cost a lot more money, a lot more time, it may not ever get approved for whatever reasons, it’s controversial potentially, so lets put some groynes put in first. “

Fresh to performing his unique show to multiple standing ovations at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, internationally renowned musician Matthew Fagan is this month set to wow Queenscliff audiences. 

From Bach to the Beatles, Spanish Flamenco to Led Zepplin and Celtic Harp Music on unique 10 String guitar, Lord of the Strings provides the ultimate music journey packed with humour. 

Fagan is a gifted virtuoso guitarist and composer of over 30 years of performance, composition and educational experience. He has toured and performed in over 120 countries and alongside international celebrities Natalie Cole, The Original Buena Vista Social Club, Billy Connolly, Shirley Bassey and Michael Crawford. 
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The tour with Billy Connolly was so successful that Billy made a gift of his own Banjo to Matthew as a token of his gratitude and was quoted saying: “Matthew is the best guest artist I have ever toured with.”
Lord of the Strings is on at the  Uniting Church, Queenscliff at 4pm, Sunday 20th November. Tickets $20.

CRICKET - Evergeen Queenscliff cricketer Billy Clifton has a 13 year old up and comer to thank for helping him secure his 500th wicket. 

Lochie Philp, the youngest player on the field, took the catch at point late in the Coutas' D-Grade clash with St Leonards on Saturday October 15 to notch up the milestone. 

"It's kind of what our club is about at the moment, junior development, and for Lochie to be involved, I couldn't have scripted it any better," the 52 year old said. 

"The milestone was brought to my attention at the end of last season but it hadn't really crossed my mind. Usually prior to Saturday's my mind is occupied with player selection and having a fun time playing with a bunch of great blokes."

Clifton, who spent much of his career as an A-grade bowler, finished the tied match with an impressive 3 -7 from eight overs.  

"Six hundred wickets may not be out of the question, if I find some trigger finger umpires to help me out," he joked.
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TENNIS – Point Lonsdale tennis coach Denis Day has been recognised for years of participation at all levels of the sport. 

Tennis Victoria presented him with the Highly Commended Service Award. 

He started playing the sport as a 14 year old in Swan Hill and went on to achieve success as an A-grade player in Bendigo, Ballarat and in tournaments elsewhere. 

The former teacher has been a coach for the past 20 years, coaching his own daughter to state level ranks.
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“He has now become an integral member of the Point Lonsdale Tennis Club (PLTC) as a committeeman, but more importantly, the knowledge and experience in his capacity as club coach and mentor is outstanding, and his involvement with juniors will ensure the progression and vitality of this great club as it continues to grow and prosper,” said PLTC Ian Britton.

Four sitting and one former Councillor, a leading heritage advocate and a senior police officer are among a varied field of 11 candidates vying for the five vacant positions at this month’s Borough of Queenscliffe Municipal election.
 
Caretaker Mayor Helene Cameron and Councillors Bob Merriman, Peter Russell and Susan Salter are standing for re-election. 

They are joined in the race by former Councillor David Kenwood, prominent heritage consultant Boyce Pizzey, Police Senior Sergeant and Chamber of Commerce chief Tony Francis,  young Greens campaigner Stephen McGain, former international businessman Rob Minty, leading tourism voice Ross Ebbels and Louis Baker, who boasts a background law and finance.   

A number of issues have emerged as key to the outcome, including the future of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve, the state of Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff front beaches, growing the municipality beyond Fellows Road and a newly released plan to segregate sport and camping at the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve. 

Nine of the candidates made their pitch for votes at a recent community forum, co-hosted by the Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA) and Queenscliff Community Association (QCA). 

After eight years, caretaker Mayor Helene Cameron said she is seeking a third term to help drive unfinished projects. 

“I believe a confident and experience female Councilor is necessary to the balance of the council, that’s why I’m standing as a council, who will continue to dedicate my skills, my passion, my honest and my enthusiasm to making the Borough of Queenscliffe a better and safer place for all ages,” she said. 

Having previously declared he was unlikely to seek re-election, Cr Russell said his mind was changed by the recently-released Our Coast Project report into the likely impact of sea-level rise to hundreds of residents in our municipality. 

The retired accountant, who was prominent in Our community’s Save 600 campaign some 10 years ago, says he wants to play a leading role in ensuring residents are kept informed about the threat and potential mitigation works. 

“Once the state government says [sea level rise] is going to happen, a bit like speed cameras and speed, you’ve got to say it’s going to happen and we have to evolve our community and our reaction to that,” he said.

“It is our community out of all the communities that is most at risk and there is no one immune to it in this community whether your house is up above or below.”

Former Mayor, Australian Industrial Relations Commissioner and Cricket Australia Chairman Bob Merriman highlighted the Borough’s strong economic credential over the past eight years as part of his pitch for a third term.  

“We’ve maintained above state average performance in every category of the independent [community] satisfaction survey, we are in top three position in statewide financial sustainability, whilst at the same time we’ve reduced our debt [and] we’ve achieved the lowest rate increases in recent years on a statewide basis,” he said. “Certainly we’ve got finalise the camping, sports and recreation project, the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse open space project including the heritage review and finalizing work on the front beach. 

Sergeant Francis drew applause when he criticised current Council’s spending on consultants and pledged action on Toc H and local beaches.  

“I don’t need consultants to tell us which toilets we need to fix up first. I don’t consultants to tell us what the community want…I don’t need consultants to tell us the beach down here is no good,” he said. 

“If you guys give me the mandate, within a month I will be knocking on Spring Street, demanding Dan [Andrews] give us $10 million of the Port of Melbourne sale proceeds…he’s made a bucket of money, I want him to fix up my beach. Our beaches are a disgrace and how we can let them get to that is a disgrace. 

“Four or five years ago the community spoke so loudly about what should happen there and I can guarantee within six months I’ll rip those bloody buildings down if I have to do it myself,” he told the meeting. 

After several years on the sidelines former Councillor Kenwood said he was throwing his hat back into the ring to give a voice to protection of local heritage and the environment. 

“No tall and ugly buildings along our foreshores and no high density development would be my recommendation,” he said.

“The borough of Queenscliffe doors are now open,” is the slogan adopted by Mr Ebbels, a prominent local tourism and hospitality industry identity. “That means  for business and also the community.

“I think we really are the envy of the state of victoria and we went to keep it that way,” he said. 

Having run international travel and photographic businesses, Mr Minty retired to Point Lonsdale permanently 10 years ago. He took aim at outgoing Councillors for not doing enough to protect what makes the municipality special.  

“What matters to me is putting the needs and amenity of residents first. They are the electors, they provide the majority of the income, and it’s their services and amenity we should be looking after. 

“It’s really important to redefine why we’re all here, why we’ve all come and what we want to maintain and retain here in Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff,” he said.

Councillor Salter outlined her vision of the municipality in 50 years to the meeting; “I’m hoping the Council is still here and it’s very viable because over the past four years we’ve been operating in the black and next year we will have no loan that the council owns,” she said. 

“I’m hoping that the lighthouse reserves are long since resolved… I hope all of our heritage buildings are still here, loved and preserved and I hope you’re all complaining about all the trees we planted between 2012-2016.”

Mr Pizzey, the former Heritage Victoria Director, is currently finalising construction of the Monash Centre in France – Australia’s Western Front monument - for the federal Government.  

Once completed, he plans to turn his sites on why our towns are not “alive and singing” like other small tourism villages around the world. 

“Whilst I think there has been an enormous amount done and whilst I think there has been an enormous amount of energy go into things I have yet to find an individual …who is totally enthusiastic about where Queenscliff is going. 

“I’ve got a great deal of optimism about what can happen down here,” he said. 

Stephen McGain and Louis Baker were unable to attend the meeting. 

In his candidate statement, endorsed by The Greens, Mr McGain said he wanted to see the borough reach it’s true potential. 

“Some of my key areas of focus include supporting and encouraging initiatives that increase the viability of local businesses, ensuring that the community has a genuine opportunity to participate in council decision making, investing in sustainable infrastructure and services and ensuring we have a strategic long term plan that will propel us well into the future for generations to come.”

Mr Baker, meantime,  said he would “strive to ensure Queenscliffe remains one of the safest andmost desirable places to live.
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“It is time for a change and balanced sensible representation.”

The Queenscliff Football oval will shrink some six metres in size and public access to the sports reserve will be restricted under a controversial proposal to separate sporting and camping activities at the Recreation Reserve. 

The Council has released its draft Recreation Reserve Masterplan to the public. It  includes  a detailed map highlighting how the site will be divided up between the two stakeholders. However the proposal, particularly the oval reduction,  is yet to gain the full support of sporting clubs.

The Mercer Street end of the reserve will be given over entirely to sporting users and will include two new netball courts, cricket nets, a playground and 97 car parks for club patrons. 

“The plan does propose to reshape the oval to provide a symmetrical oval, while maintaining the length and width dimensions required in the AFL guidelines,” said Council General Manager Planning and Infrastructure, Phil Josipovic.

“The reshaping of the oval is intended to address [its] current egg-like shape… and a more symmetrical oval will also provide improved access to camping facilities.” 

Some 10 permanent caravans will be relocated to make way for the development. The shake up will deliver an immediate financial hit of up to $95,000 to Council’s 2017/18 budget. However the revenue would be recouped in the longer term, said Mr Josipovic. 

Meanwhile, in a move likely to anger neighboring residents,  boom gates will be installed at theHesse Street end gate,  preventing all but campers from entering the reserve. 

That will mean all sporting traffic will enter from one end of the ground and is likely to create a greater than normal spill over of vehicles into Mercer and Flinders Streets. 

Queenscliff Sporting Club President Damian Waight said football, netball and cricket clubs welcomed much of the plan however full agreement is yet to be reached. 

 "It is great to see the netball, cricket, oval lighting and community gym facilities included in the draft master plan.  The clubs are very pleased to note that work on the new oval lighting has progressed with Council aiming that new lighting will be in place for the start of the 2017 football season," he said. 

"We know the project will deliver long term health and social benefits for our community. We have worked with council for a long time and only have a small number of areas where we don't agree. For example we are not supportive of a reduction in playing surface size and have put that view strongly to Council on a number of occasions.  

"We will continue to work at gaining consensus on these remaining items," Mr Waight said.   

The plan has been released for public comment however community consultation will not begin until after the October 22 municipal poll.  The newly-elected Council will drive the project. 

“This clear separation of the sports precinct from the caravan park will resolve conflicts caused historically by the different functional needs of each of these stakeholders,” said caretaker mayor Helene Cameron.   

“This is a very exciting thing, it’s a wonderful thing to be happening and I think it’s important that by working with these groups we’re going to be able to get some good community consultation and see the results of a very long, deserving project in the borough.”

The $3.15 million Masterplan project includes:

• Completion of stage two of the Monahan Centre redevelopment, incorporating a new community gymnasium,  
• An upgrade of external sporting facilities including netball courts, cricket nets and new oval lighting, and Improved camping amenities