cim_moys

Dear Mayor and Councillors, 

Desirability of
Abandoning
the “Minor Viewing Platform” originally proposed near “Moysey Gardens”  

Since Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc. wrote
to Council on 22nd February 2003 expressing various concerns about
the construction of “viewing platforms” on and near the “Moysey
Gardens”
(Melway 86F8), work on the “minor viewing platform” had begun, but was
reportedly terminated, and then undone, because the ground on which the
structure was being built proved to be geologically unstable. 

It would appear that the proposed “minor viewing platform”
could now
only be built on the site originally proposed for it if expert advice
indicated
that certain further measures need to be taken to re-inforce or
stabilize
the site. These would add to the cost of the work, and would involve
further
disturbance of and intrusion into the area, which would be opposed by
this
Society. 

Alternatively Council might be considering another site for
the “minor
viewing platform”. That would involve further disturbance of and
intrusion
into another part of Beach Park, which would also be opposed by BCS
Inc.
Can you inform us whether that would require a further application for
a Planning Permit and consent under the Coastal
Management Act 1995, please? 

It is understood that all of Beach Park near the “Moysey
Gardens”, except
for the “Moysey Gardens” itself, the foreshore car park near Keys
Street,
and the area leased by the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron forms part of
the Beaumaris
Bay Fossil Site, which has been inscribed on the Register of the
National
Estate by the Australian Heritage Commission. BCS Inc. would certainly
oppose any siting of the “minor” viewing platform on any part of the
National
Estate site. Although the only legal consequence of that important
registration
is to affect actions by the Commonwealth of Australia, such
registration
surely merits respect and consideration by the other levels of
government
in Australia. Unless such respect and treatment of such areas in the
light
of their registration and the reasons for that registration occurs,
Australia
is placed in the unfortunate position of having a national heritage
system
that is mainly notional, with very reduced quality in practice. 

Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc. considers for the above
reasons
that Council should abandon the proposal for building the “minor”
viewing
platform, and that any funds not spent on it should be directed to the
far more important and necessary correction of the exotic
and pest plant infestation that is so evident around this
site. 

Yours sincerely, 

 

 

Ron Morris 

Acting Secretary 

Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc. 

cc.  Mr Doug Miller, Manager – Coast, Port Phillip
Region, Department
of Sustainability and Environment 

 Messrs Christopher Strong MLC, Noel Pullen MLC, and Murray
Thompson
MLA