The organisation at present is unable to establish a beachhead with the DSE [Department of sustainability and environment] or the WFCM [Walkerville foreshore committee of management].

Although the DSE are replying to our correspondence they continue to direct us to the WFCM who continue to ignore correspondence, in future we will direct all correspondence to the foreshore committee through the DSE representative on the foreshore committee.Its all very well to say the foreshore committee is composed of volunteers who are busy people who don’t have the time or resources to reply to correspondence, However in these days of public accountability the DSE should back up the their committee which they appointed with adequate resources or the use of their own secretarial facilities.

PARKS – Limeburners track etc.

On a good note we have established a working communication with Parks Victoria’s Mr Gerard Delaney in Foster who has met and corresponded with us on the issue of Limeburners Track and other issues. On a recent visit to Walkerville with Bill Gurnett from Parks, Gerard said they were concerned about possible future landslips on Limeburners Track near the kilns and were exploring the possibility of a higher level track above the rim of current track which would afford more splendid views over the bay amounts other things. Our representatives also discussed the clearing of vegetation at the lookout over the Prom on the back road to South, this would necessitate an approach to council to assist with minor improvements to the parking area, this a very popular photographic stop which has been let go and needs resurrecting as part of a tourism improvement project.

We also discussed opening up windows in the vegetation at the top of the hill and above the kiosk which have also become overgrown in recent years, The views coming down the hill over the Prom and the bay are some of the most spectacular outlooks in Victoria and as good as anything at the Prom.

An issue raised by the ratepayers association concerning a project to provide a heritage trail with bronze plaques describing places of historical interest was also raised with parks seeing no particular problems with this concept. We hope to work with the ratepayers to take this project further.

Something we didn’t discuss and should have is Park Victoria’s position regarding some minor low tide rock removal at the bluff to afford safer boat launching and retrieval in response to the DSE and Foreshore Committees total rejection of improvements to boat launching in front of Holt street.

Whichever way things go, all we ask of parks is a sympathetic and objective hearing to discuss what improvements may be possible with mutual cooperation rather than what cant be done,we are optimistic with the tone of discussions so far.

SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE – local issues

Now that Bayside drive has been gazetted as a government road under the care and management of the Shire of South Gippsland, we are not sure what the future is regarding future Foreshore Committee management plan proposals for parking and landscaping in the area near the hall. We will take the matter up with the CEO of the shire as previous efforts seeking formal responses to written correspondence to our local councilor did not work. The shire  boasts of its commitment to tourism in the area but has provided no evidence of this commitment at Walkerville since the later part of last century. Now that the shires role is clear after the gazettal they maybe more forthcoming with modest improvements to the general amenity for tourists at Walkerville.

Another issue that concerns the shire is the rejection by some locals for spurious reasons to sealing the pavement at Walkerville South, from where it finishes now to the beach. Once again nobody represented the views of all the visitors and day-trippers who frequent the area and the shire was obliged to comply with the wishes of a small negative minority who oppose almost anything that could represent improved amenity for tourists and the general public.

JOINT WORKING GROUP

With Walkerville being governed by three jurisdictions PARKS Victoria, DS&E and South Gippsland Shire it just gets more difficult to bring about modest common sense improvements at Walkerville. Our association will make an approach to the new minister for conservation the Hon Mr Ryan Smith encouraging him to oversee the adoption of a joint working group comprising the three entities mentioned above as well as genuine representation of all the families that love and use Walkerville, rather than just local landholders. Modest and sensible improvements to amenities that work for everyone doesn’t have to bring the destruction of everything that people enjoy.

An overarching development plan prepared by the joint jurisdictions and administered by the shire on behalf of all the stakeholders would be a good outcome. We live in hope.

WEBSITE AND MEMBERSHIP

With the recent redesign of the website to provide a broader overview of what exists at Walkerville we hope to make the site more interactive for all users and groups at Walkerville. The Good News section, Discussion Board and Calendar can be a continuously updated  for all activities if people want to communicate more easily.

People don’t have to be formal members of the association to post comments as the site is open to everyone whether they want to join or not.