Well, Dale finally made it and to judge by the result she must have just squeezed out Michael Freshwater but before you feel too sorry for ex-councillor Freshwater, it was preferences that squeezed him in back in 2003.

Those of us who have worked with Dale Fisher will be well aware of her strengths and weaknesses and perhaps she will surprise us.

One thing is certain, Dale is the very antithesis of the kind of smooth talking operator we associate with local politicians. And personally I wish her well. We do not need to wish her luck as she seems to be able to make her own.

For once, and probably never again, I could almost feel sorry for Steve Kozlowski and his crew.

And what does this say for Bastion Point, Michael Freshwater was the most ardent advocate of its destruction. Perhaps his defeat is a omen and indicative of a shift in public opinion. The full upgrade still has its supporters but maybe more and more people are having second thoughts, possibly about the project itself or the shire's ability to effectively manage the changed situation.

I always imagined this site as a place where locals could put in their two pennorth worth

And the lack of enthusiasm kind of hurt me.

The sad reality is that most of the older people in Mallacoota still don't get the net. And those that do are not willing to stick their neck out. So I am really happy to post the next item from Chris Parker. People do find this site - OK not many, but views, expressed here, are here, on the public record for this year, next year, forever?

I have lived in Mallacoota for forty years and for the past 17 years once again there has been is major conflict over a proposed large scale boat ramp development at the town beach, Bastion Point. The question continually begs to be asked, Who are the Major Stakeholders pushing this preposterous proposal? And why do they need to fudge the facts, as they continually do in printed material and more recently on the ABC's Stateline program. A transcript/viewing of that program (transcript here) will unveil this fudging of fact by the appointed Mallacoota Ocean Access Committee (MOCA) spokesperson.

FUDGE# I "Abalone is worth 20 million per year to Mallacoota"

Response. Most of this money does not even touch the streets of Mallacoota. If it did they would be lined with gold. Out of the 23 abalone licence holders only 6 live in town full time, 3 do not sell to the Mallacoota co-op.

FUDGE#2 "Abalone co-op creates work for 200 people"

Response. Lets have a break down. 6 full time workers, 40 casual workers most earning below the poverty line, Thirteen (contract) divers live in town, 5 live out of town. Fourteen shellers live in town, 4 live out of town.
Living in Mallacoota;
        13 divers
        14 shellers
        40 casual workers - most earn below the poverty line
          6 full-time
     = 73 Approx.
Let's get creative, 100 people to make sure. That's a lot less than quoted!

FUDGE#3 "An improvement will allow the abalone co-op to prosper and keep employing people as it does."

Response. Prosper!? Does this mean the Government is going to introduce more licences? What a good idea, lets spread the wealth, maybe a communIty licence!
Then we could have money put back into the community. The abalone industry do not seem to he having any trouble prospering to me. And there present launching procedures provide work where none would be and have been effective over two decades.

FUDGE#4 This (Proposal at Bastion Point Ocean Access, break wall, permanent sand dredge etc) will bring more people to Mallacoota.

Response. A few more boaties and a few less surf and beach users, thus changing the user group, whilst turning the iconic headland into an industrial area.

FUDGE#5: The Fisheries, Parks Victoria, Abalone Coop and emergency services such as SLSC and SES will have better access to the ocean.

Response. None of the above user groups are pushing for this development, so why constantly use them as an excuse?

The EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL; "If we do not do something a law suit against us will occur "

Response; If you go ahead at Bastion Point with this MAJOR up-grade you will be sure of that. Inviting inexperienced boaters into notoriously dangerous waters by providing them with a deceiving gate-way into the unknown. And who will be paying? the rate payers ? So lets keep the upgrade to a minimal as we first understood 5 years ago when a ballot was held in favour of an up-grade on the existing ramp.

I have been told that I am a greenie now, for protesting against a major development. To start with 1 was shocked, so I looked up the dictionary and found out that a greenie was a name applied to various birds. So I am a Green-backed silver-eye? or a White-plumed honey-eater?
A.... A local lady commented; I hope it rains on all those bastards at Bastion Point (Who rallied on the 8th October, against stage 3 development.)
Well I hope it rains too, but it did not rain much until the next day, as for being a bastard, I am not! but if it means stopping a major development at Bastion Point, instead of a up-grade on the existing ramp, call me what you like.
Our community surf at Bastion Point, Tip Beach and when you're really good at the sport, you surf Broken Board ( option 3. ) Please do not take our play ground away.

Up-grade don't degrade, keep to improved ocean access, not Major development.

If you want to know what Save Bastion Point is about check it out on the web site www.savebastionpoint.org or have a look at the display board at the next Mallacoota Market.
Ask yourself Is the MAJOR DEVELOPMENT at Bastion necessary?
Ask yourself who is going to pay for this and the on going cost?
Ask yourself who are the Major Stakeholders?

Thank you for reading my opinions. I am very concerned about this preposterous proposal!