SPCG Town Hall Meeting
21 January, 2024
The Town Hall style meeting attracted approximately 70 attendees of SPCG members and the broader community. We were delighted to also have Cr Sarah Gilligan and Cr Adrian Darakai attend and participate in the discussions.
The group was welcomed and thanked for their attendance by Anne Kinne (President) and Peter Slifirski (Vice President) provided a briefing on the Community Plan which, through its four pillars, will guide our future operations. Peter provided some examples of our proposed projects under the Community Plan headings of:
Community Engagement:
Foodies & Sandcastles, Town Hall meetings, Website & Social Media, Information & Educational Forums etc
Town Centre Rejuvenation:
Youth recreational facilities (skatepark), multi-purpose use of existing facilities, reference to master plan, enhanced street scape, additional town seating, new welcome sign & outdoor stage.
Environment:
Promotion of community awareness through interpretive signage & educational programs, wildlife management, natural vegetation preservation, & reduction of light pollution.
Safe walkways and roads:
Promote Sandy Point as a walkable town, support controlled roadside vegetation management, introduce traffic calming measures
Read more about the Community Plan
Questions, ideas, and feedback was requested from the floor which resulted in enthusiastic and interesting discussions.
A recommendation for a walking track around SP with numbered interpretive signs relating to the history, environment etc. Suggestion, as an example, to look at the Venus Bay & Toora projects with interpretive signage. Anne advised that the SP Signage group were proactive in seeking funding for several projects which include interpretive signage and QR codes.
Energy sustainability, and the issue of instability of SP power supply. Suggestion to look at the work of our Sandy Point Community Power group, and the Gippsland Power Network. SPCP are involved with discussions with intergovernmental agencies and seeking sponsorship from Marinus. Council advised that Gippsland Power Network are definitely having wind energy discussions re partnerships.
The laneway behind the store could be sealed to assist business and the Community Centre with their operations, and to minimise the flooding that occurs.
Concern about the angle parking alongside the playground with no barrier or bollards and potential risk to users of the seating and playground.
Praise for the extended South Gippsland Rail Trail, and question about the progress of the Waratah Way trail. Our response was that Waratah Way is still a high priority and the project has potential to create a coastal track along the coastline which would create an incentive for tourists to visit our area.
Concern about mobile phone reception issues at Manuka end of town brought about discussion of the proposed new Optus tower on Sandy Point Rd. The permit application to Council is still in progress. Residents of Sandy Point Rd are concerned about the location and potential EMR exposure. A repeater tower is planned for Manuka Street.
A question was raised on how SPCG projects are determined, and how community input is encouraged before and during the progress of the project. Discussion on the challenges of achieving community engagement. A suggestion was to have a physical suggestion box available at the Community Centre and the store.
Clarification was sought about changes to the governance of the coastal region. Concern to support the Foreshore Committee to increase resourcing from DEECA. Suggestion that the area should be worthy of getting a Ranger for the area. WiSP encouraged us to advocate for the Foreshore committee to gain increased funding and to seek a solution to the enforcement of rules.
Comment regarding the poor maintenance of some beach tracks, with relevance to previous discussion about supporting the Foreshore Committee. Suggestion to use the Snap, Send, Solve app to notify and get action on local issues by the relevant authority, DEECA or Council.
Questions regarding the proposed future plan for Caravan Park - application for sub-division resulted in advising that SPCG acknowledged the right to sub divide but have concerns regarding safety and public access. Our proposition is that there is an opportunity for a development contribution to public space. Information was offered regarding the concerns of CFA and Water Catchment authorities in relation to Council’s rejection of the application. The application is now with VCAT.
A discussion followed on the impact of rising sea levels on planning decisions, and the need for Coastal Hazard Mapping. Other considerations were social equity, support of local businesses, the problems of inundation risk and acid sulphate soil of land surrounding the town, and the need to have a caravan park adjacent to the beach (like Waratah Bay) to minimise further car congestion at the beach. Council has done coastal hazard mapping to enable local communities to plan for the future.
Question about further detail on traffic calming measures around the town, and how the possible solutions are recommended to Council. Discussion followed of the need for a Master Plan for Sandy Point to facilitate funding from Council for Town Centre rejuvenation. Safe walkways and roads - advocacy, introduce traffic calming measures - will fall into masterplan, options - rumble strips, removal of vegetation.
Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club - how much does the shire support the club? Surf Club is responsible for the access track, state government is responsible for the track they need to take responsibility. DEECA needs to be advised and joint submission from SPCG, foreshore committee, south Gippsland Shire.
Suggestion for the eradication of Agapanthus - spray them with Bindi killer!
The group was thanked for their contributions and encouraged to contact us with any further input throughout the year.