I believe that the weight of public opinion is against the proposed rowing complex, and that it is only a matter of time before it is shelved. That time may be at the next meeting of council at 7:00pm on Wednesday October 13^th when they plan to review their decision. It may be delayed until after a series of time wasting and expensive panel hearings. And if council is incredibly foolish, up until the day when hundreds of families turn out to protect their Belmont Common. The rowing complex will be stopped – but it will be a bitter-sweet victory for common sense.

Whatever our thoughts about the complex our council has let us all down. Firstly, by its reckless pursuit of an unrealistic and damaging project, and secondly by its divisive use of public resources to promote the cause of one section of the community against the broader public interest. Having stirred up so much contention council will be well advised to ensure that something positive and enduring comes out of this fiasco.

At the very least there should be a permanent moratorium placed upon any large scale or commercial developments on the Belmont Common and the remainder of the Barwon Valley area. There is also an opportunity for council to take a leading role to enhance the social and environmental values of the Belmont Common for future generations. If council can simply admit its mistake and move forward then there is some hope that we’ll be able to look back at this time and feel that, ultimately, it was all worthwhile.