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A Secure Future For Phillip Island RecreationBass Coast Shire Council has secured an option on a parcel of land on the outskirts of Cowes. By Bass Coast - 19th August 2011 - Back to News Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said the option is an agreement with the owner of the land at the corner of Ventnor and Phillip Island Roads which means the owner is not able to sell to anyone else for the next twelve months.
"Council wants to ensure we are in a position to accommodate the long term community and recreation needs of Phillip Island," explained Mr Bawden.
"Securing the option gives us time to do more planning and financial modelling, to see if this is an appropriate site for community use."
Mr Bawden said Council made a decision to investigate the possibility of purchasing either part or all of the land, after confidential discussions with the landowner.
"Because the option is a contractual matter, Council discussed this issue in the closed (in camera) confidential section of the July meeting," explained Mr Bawden.
"At the same time, Council voted to adopt a report related to the recreation needs of Phillip Island (PDF 817kb). Council now wants to make the Phillip Island community aware that it is planning for their future needs."
Mr Bawden confirmed that securing additional land for the Phillip Island community was a long term project.
"Council officers will now do financial modelling to see how a possible purchase could be funded," Mr Bawden said.
"Any modelling will include an assessment of the use of approximately $900,000 that is available from the Phillip Island Recreation Reserve fund. The fund is made up of contributions from subdividers of land on Phillip Island that were not able to provide open public space in their development. Officers will also provide advice on how much of the land would be needed in the long term."
Phillip Island councillor, Peter Paul, has been an advocate for addressing the issue of the Island’s recreation needs.
"This is a step forward in strategically planning for the future of Phillip Island," said Cr Paul.
Cr Paul and Mr Bawden agreed that local groups would have strong ideas about what should be located on the site.
"People are very passionate in support of their particular group or interests," said Mr Bawden.
"However, at this stage, it would be very premature for anyone to make assumptions about what the site could be used for."
Cr Paul said Council would look at a variety of options before making a decision on purchasing part or all of the land.
"Potential long term uses could including outdoor sporting facilities, an aquatic or indoor sports centre, cultural facilities such as a gallery, hall or community meeting rooms, a dog off-leash area and parklands," explained Cr Paul.
"Whatever is decided this land will be used for, I believe it is a good long term investment and a great outcome for the local community."
Council owned the land, commonly known as the carnival site, for a period until 1995. When local government amalgamations took place across Victoria, the Commissioners sold the land. The sale partially funded the redevelopment of the Cowes Cultural Centre in 1997, converting the building from an office into a community facility.
The Phillip Island Study
The Phillip Island Sport and Active Recreation Needs Assessment (PDF 817kb) looks at the long term recreation needs of the Phillip Island community up to 2025. It recommends how existing facilities could be developed and also recommends forming partnerships to use existing private and public facilities.
Mr Bawden described the study as a supporting document that would guide future decisions about recreational facilities on the Island.
"It includes research into the needs and facilities of other, comparable municipalities, to provide a benchmark for Bass Coast," said Mr Bawden.
"The study includes feedback from local sporting clubs and associations and recommends investigating partnerships with local schools (Newhaven Primary School and Newhaven College) to utilise their existing facilities in the short to medium term."
Other recommendations included relocating the Cowes skate park and the potential need for additional tennis courts and lighting. Any decision on these recommendations would be based on the level of community participation. Mr Bawden said it would be up to Council and the community to identify which projects to support.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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