A PORT MacDonnell resident has called on Grant District Council not to “wash away” the town’s history in the second stage of the foreshore redevelopment.
Christine Tilley – who has started a petition – yesterday called on council to hold a public meeting on the landmark project.
The concerned resident’s comments come ahead of the $700,000 blueprint’s scheduled release this Monday.
Council has yet to kick-start community feedback on the concept, which it says is not “set in stone”.
Standing on the sweeping foreshore yesterday, Ms Tilley raised fears the town’s heritage and identity would not be reflected in the development.
In particular, she called on council not to demolish the bus shelters that have been part of the township’s landscape since World War II.
Ms Tilley said the Little Hunter boat, the towering boat’s wheel and foreshore shelters/rotundas must not be removed without extensive community input.
“It looks like we are losing everything to do with our history,” she said.
“The Little Hunter boat is very much part of our history and losing the four remaining bus shelters would be unthinkable.
“We need a town meeting to discuss what the people want. We need to be more creative and highlight the fishing industry.”
While not wanting to be negative over the foreshore redevelopment, Ms Tilley said the community needed clarity on the blueprint.
Although there were some positive aspects of development’s stage one, she said the concept to date had failed to capture the town’s title as the southern rock lobster capital of Australia.
“Given we are the lobster capital, we need things that signify what we are. We have the lobster fisherman statue, but we have not got much else,” she added.
“I, along with others, wonder where the money went on the first stage. The fisherman statue is great but other parts are very two dimensional and flat.”
She also warned the community would not be happy about losing access to the beach east of the jetty.
“Having looked at the plans for the playground proposal, there also does not seem to be any provisions for swings and slides.”
She also questioned why council had not included a water play feature for children, which are features in many other cities and towns.
Ms Tilley said the petition – calling for the shelters and Little Hunter boat not to be demolished – has already attracted 250 signatures within the small community.
She mooted the Little Hunter boat could be replaced if restoration was not possible or too expensive.
The resident also raised concerns about a section of the gabion rock wall being demolished by council contractors.
“This stone wall has been there for decades – it is part of the town, ” she said.
Ms Tilley said the petition would be presented to council.
“I am passionate about the town because I have lived here for more than 50 years.”
The issue sparked lengthy debate at this week’s council meeting.
Addressing the feedback, acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said in a report the remaining bus shelters were unsafe.
“If they are to remain, they will need remedial work done and I suggest new art as well. This has not been factored into the budget,” she said.
Responding to questions regarding access to the beach east of the jetty, the council executive officer said the masterplan indicated that eastern access was going to be removed.
“Construction of a ramp from the boardwalk is being considered,” she said.
“The existing Little Hunter boat is rotten and beyond repair, however we could look at replicating it and placing it at Tenterden Reserve.
“The cost to preserve the boat is outside our budget at this stage.”
The proposed playground would be themed around nature and not a “McDonald’s style” playground.
