Destination Queenscliff project update

Council held a Special Meeting on 3 December 2018 to consider a request from the Minister for Regional Development to withdraw from a $2.69 million funding agreement with the State Government in relation to the Destination Queenscliff project.

Having carefully considered a range of matters, Council has agreed to withdraw from the funding agreement, subject to the State Government confirming its commitment to reallocate $2.55million from Destination Queenscliff to the proposed Queenscliff Cultural Hub project, and to meet the costs of relevant design expenses associated with Destination Queenscliff.

Council has written to the Victorian Minister for Regional Development, the Hon. Jaala Pulford, and has met with the Hon. Lisa Neville MP, State Member for Bellarine, to advise of its decision.

Following community consultation and representation from the Hon. Sarah Henderson MP, Federal Member for Corangamite, Council endorsed a series of changes to the Destination Queenscliff concept plan at its Ordinary Meetings in July and September 2018. These included enhancement of the Bull Ring and replacement of the existing kiosk with a new kiosk of a similar size, and in a similar location.

More recently, Council received a request from Ms Henderson to consider replacing the eco-cabins proposed in the concept plan with standard camping ground cabins.

Council has reconsidered the proposed tourist accommodation and has resolved to include three additional camping cabins at the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve, rather than six purpose built eco-cabins included in the original concept plan. This would be achieved by removing the caretaker’s residence and the two existing older cabins closest to the Monahan Centre, and installing five new cabins similar to the five remaining cabins at the Reserve.

Council has advised Ms Henderson of this decision and is now seeking amendments to the terms of the Federal funding agreement to facilitate these design changes. Redesign of relevant aspects of the concept plan will follow, and a community consultation process inviting feedback on the revised concept plans will then be held.

In relation to the recent Heritage Victoria recommendation about Shortland’s Bluff, Council is working constructively with Heritage Victoria to ensure a successful project outcome that respects and builds on the site’s significant heritage values whilst enhancing Queenscliff’s destination appeal.