2016-12-06
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) — Over the years and especially lately I have spoken out about the loss of heritage buildings and places, as the state government and some local governments propose unnecessary and costly overdevelopments on public land. This morning I raise the issue of the proposed redevelopment of the Brighton Life Saving Club by the Bayside City Council on the Dendy Street foreshore, which, in an unusual circumstance, was vested to the then Brighton City Council by an act of Parliament in 1877.
Everyone agrees that the facilities at the lifesaving club need upgrading, but many people, including me, see the Dendy Street pavilion and master plan, as it is referred to, as going over and above what is needed or is appropriate for the site. It has been proposed to increase the building's area between three and five times that which is prescribed by Life Saving Victoria, and a significant proportion of the new buildings will be for commercial and not lifesaving activities. This is contrary to the Victorian coastal strategy, which precludes non-water-related activities on the foreshore. I would have no objection to modest kiosk facilities, but to build a function centre to cater for hundreds of people on this site is very concerning. It would result in new access paths and roads being built through the existing grassy open space, partial demolition of the heritage seawall and the removal of significant trees and other coastal vegetation from the site.
Bayside council has been proactive in pursuing tree vandals — that is, landowners who cut down coastal vegetation that obstruct their views — and erecting tree vandalism notice signs in their place. To think that the council itself is proposing an overdevelopment that would result in the loss of so much coastal vegetation is concerning. I am also concerned that the default position seems to be to demolish the existing lifesaving club. I am informed that while it is in need of an upgrade it is structurally sound and could easily be refurbished. We are losing this type of built heritage around Victoria and Australia, and it would be regrettable to see this happen on this site too.