April 2009 Newsletter
The first Newsletter for 2009 has been distributed to the many residents who live near our wonderful coastline. This edition focuses on the enlarged marina proposed to be built at the foot of Olivers Hill.
To find out more,
just
download a copy of the Newsletter,
or why not have a look at some of our earlier
Newsletters.
Olivers Hill Marina
The
Minister’s Decision
In June this year, the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, approved an
Amendment to the Frankston Planning Scheme to allow a significantly
enlarged marina of 22 hectare, to that previously approved of 15.8
hectare, to be constructed adjacent to the foot of Olivers Hill,
Frankston.
In addition, the Minister has approved construction of a 400 boat high rise dry stack storage which had been specifically prohibited by two previous planning ministers and two planning and advisory panels, approved construction of a 60 berth hotel that had not previously been considered, approved an increase in the amount of land that could be reclaimed from 5.4 hectare to 15 hectare, approved an increase in the amount of land that had been approved for commercial and industrial activities by 400% (from 580 sq.m. to 2,300 sq.m.), and greatly increased the number of car parking spaces.
Notwithstanding public concerns relating to the enlarged marina increasing the risk of erosion to Frankston beaches and silting of Daveys Bay (with the consequent loss of amenity to thousands of residents and visitors alike), the Planning Minister has seen fit to approve these changes without undertaking any form of statutory planning process.
This decision by the Planning Minister directly contradicts his own advice to Parliament given on 24th June 2008 and also contradicts the advice of two previous Planning Ministers in July 2000 and October 2003 that, "increased activities and changes [beyond those which had been approved] should be subject to a statutory planning process with third party rights and review".
The Minister and the Priority Development Panel (PDP), argue that the smaller marina was not financially viable, yet the PDP has recommended and the Minister has approved an enlarged marina, for which no financial viability studies have been completed.
Council Goes Out to Tender
At the beginning of August 2009, Frankston City Council went out to Public Tender for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Olivers Hill marina.
Frankston Beach Association are gravely concerned that what is now proposed in the form of the enlarged marina has not been fully examined by the community, nor by experts, and that serious questions remain concerning the financial probity and viability of such a development. There is little understanding, acceptance or concern shown by the authorities of the permanent and major ongoing environmental problems that will follow as a result of any solid structure being built out into Port Phillip Bay.
Frankston City Council has been blinded by a so called "iconic development" and has ignored and obfuscated many of the obvious financial and environmental problems relating to this development.
The Tender Documents developed by Frankston City Council (which includes "Request for Tender", the "Incorporated Document" and "Schedule 3 to the Special Use Zone") are lacking in clarity and certainty as to the financial, environmental and engineering requirements, as well as the various areas of responsibility (developer, operator or Council).
Uncertainty exists as to who will be responsible for overseeing the development, including overseeing the probity of gathering data and undertaking the coastal process modelling and ensuring that financial, environmental and engineering standards are properly met.
The proposed time table for the commencement and completion of the development does not allow adequate time to gather environmental data for the modelling to be properly undertaken.
If insufficient time is taken to gather the full range of necessary environmental data, the modelling will be a waste of time and money, and a developer will not know what effect the marina will have on the Frankston beaches and on Daveys Bay.
As a result, the developer will not know the cost of subsequent beach restoration work, including sand bypassing and dredging. Frankston City Council will then likely be held responsible by the developer for not allowing sufficient time for the credible modelling studies to take place.
Unless the financial and environmental standards and requirements are properly and openly addressed with a high degree of scientific and financial probity and with competent management, there will be a litany of subsequent financial, environmental and engineering problems and failures, which will be to the detriment and cost of the citizens of Frankston.
VCAT Submission
In August 2009, the FBA made a submission to the review of VCAT (conducted by the President of VCAT). The submission related to the avoidance of due process and denial of natural justice in this matter. Download a copy of the submission in order to find out more about the FBA's concerns.
The reason why a statutory planning process is necessary is because the proper planning process draws out the combined experience and knowledge of the community relating to the development.
Without going through a statutory planning process the flaws and deficiencies of a few vested interests prevail which ultimately lead to disastrous outcomes.
Erosion of the Beach
Throughout
the month of September 2008, the beaches to the north and south of
Frankston Pier experienced severe erosion, during a period of sustained
westerly gales and very high tides. This loss of sand from the dune system
placed parts of the boardwalk in danger.
Aware of the frequently flawed methods used to correct beach erosion in other coastal areas that often create more extensive problems, the FBA sought advice from Dr. Wayne Stephenson, a geomorphologist from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Stephenson has studied the Frankston and Seaford beaches for many years and has advised the Beach Association on previous occasions.
Dr. Stephenson, in a comprehensive statement, advised that the beach would repair itself in time if left to recover, provided that nearby developments such as marinas do not interfere with the ability of the system to recover, by locking up sand or preventing it from moving around within the system.
A further severe storm occurred over the Anzac Day weekend
of 2009, causing even more extensive damage to the beach (just when some
natural recovery from the 2008 damage was beginning to occur). As a result
of this storm, the sort of damage depicted in the image above now extends
from the pier, south to the end of the sand beach. Access points for both
beach goers and cleaning machines have been severely impacted, pedestrian
access over the mouth of the Kananook Creek has been limited and beach signage
has had to be re-located.
The FBA understands that Frankston Council is assessing this most recent damage, and will no doubt come up with some sort of recovery plan over the ensuing months.
FBA Newsletters
