THE COST OF A COASTAL PARADISE LOST?

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF DESALINATION…… A PLANT SITE IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE!

SIGNIFICANT VISUAL AMENITY LOSS ……..AN UNEXPECTED COST TO THE COMMUNITY OF KILCUNDA, THE BASS SHIRE, & THE PEOPLE OF VICTORIA.

COSTS THAT MUST BE COUNTED………..& COUNTERED!

MAKE THIS A COASTAL PARADISE FOUND!

COSTS COUNTERED WITH A FAIR & EQUAL MEASURE OF PPP SUPPORT TO DIRECTLY

REMEDY THOSE HIDDEN COSTS OF IMPACTS REVEALED IN THIS REPORT.

A KILCUNDA RESIDENTS SUBMISSION IN RESPECT TO:

THE COST OF A HIGHLY VISIBILE DESALINATION PLANT,

ENVIRONMENTAL & LANDSCAPE VALUE EFFECTS, &

PROJECT IMPACTS UPON EXISTING LOCAL INFRASTRUCTRE,

-THE KILCUNDA RIDGE VIEW SHED-

COST OF HIGH VISIBILITY - GROUND LEVEL VIEW OF DESALINATION SITE

THE KILCUNDA RIDGE & LOOKOUT - A SIGNIFICANT VIEWPOINT WITHIN A

SIGNIFICANT DESALINATION VIEW SHED.

INCREASING PUBLIC USE – UNMATCHED AMENITY INVESTMENT- AT WHAT COST?

Nowhere within the Bass Shire will one experience such a panorama.360 degree views include the entire Westernport Bay, the Bass Valley, and the full length of the coastline from Wilson’s

Prom, the Old Kilcunda Trestle bridge, through to Cape Woolamai, including the Desalination Plant Site.

SO WHERE IS THE KILCUNDA RIDGE ROAD & LOOKOUT?

Approx 7-8 klm from the Desalination plant site.

Elevation Approx.163m,

The Kilcunda Ridge Road completes the final Northerly approach toward the coast

into the heart of the popular tourist coastal town of Kilcunda

WHAT COST TO RESIDENTS WITHIN KILCUNDA & THE KILCUNDA RIDGE

VIEWSHED & LOOKOUT , FROM DEGRADED VISUAL AMENITY DUE TO

THE DESALINATION OPTION. THIS COST WAS INCORRECTLY EXCLUDED

FROM THE EES:

We maintain that these are significant Viewpoint & View shed omissions within

the EES Volume 3, Chapter 4, Part B, Viewpoints.

Evidence presented here in pictures will show it is wrong to assume the Plant

will be visually insignificant to an observer outside a 4 klm radial zone of visual

influence. This assumption carries significant un-costed amenity degradationinfluence. This assumption carries significant un-costed amenity degradation

The EES states in Table 4-2: Desalination Plant view shed extent and zones of

visual influence, “that any Viewpoint/View shed > 4 km from the proposed works

site makes the plant Visually insignificant to observers further than 4klm away,

further it states the plant would comprise “A very small element, difficult to

discern and will be invisible in some lighting or weather conditions”. We feel this

is wrong.

The following collection of photographs clearly depict the proposed plant as

being clearly visible and shall impact significantly upon the current visual

amenity of this portion of the coast. THIS CLEARLY CARRIES A COST.

PHOTOGRAPH DEPICTS ACTUAL SITE VISIBILITY AT THIS POPULAR VIEWPOINT:photograph taken standing from one point at the Kilcunda lookout Viewpoint within the Kilcunda Ridge Road View Shed

VISUAL AMENITY IMPACTED AT WHAT COST?

Pictures from same Lookout View point reinforce the significance of this coastal vista,

and with its growing popularity, the cost of neglecting paths of access impact all users:

THE COST OF VIEWSHED IMPACTS OF PLANT SITE NOT LIMITED TO KILCUNDA LOOKOUT:

Local residents who live within the Kilcunda Ridge View shed will be affected by plant visibility at

residential viewpoints

-20m to 30m tall structures

-Significant site surface area of development

All equals a major change to the Landscape profile and potentially significant degradation of visual Amenity.

EVIDENCE QUALIFIES THE KILCUNDA LOOKOUT AS A BONEFIDE VIEWPOINT WORTHY OF INCLUSION IN ANY

COST IMPACT ANALYSIS: Photos on different days, show tourists and sightseers now visiting the lookout to view this extensive Coastal Panorama

from the Kilcunda Ridge Rd Lookout. A vantage point already under pressure with little consideration to support its use.

We would ask the Enquiry, that in respect to Images of the Plant

Site & surrounds from the Kilcunda Ridge Rd & Lookout supplied

to you, That these be measured against the identified impact ,

in part, acknowledged within the EES, of a visible industrial

plant in such a virgin setting, in order to quantify the cost to the

community in respect to loss and degradation of visual &

A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS!

community in respect to loss and degradation of visual &

existing levels of infrastructure amenity, an that this be provided

to us with some consideration as to how such costs could be

negated with a greater level of direct support to enhance local

amenity, particularly in respect to those amenity issues

identified in this report along with some suggested remedies

contained herein.

SIGNIFICANT HABITAT AT THE KILCUNDA RIDGE LOOKOUT CAN BE PROMOTED WITH SIGNAGE & IMPROVED FACILITIES,

WHILE ALLOWING THE PPP to PROMOTE THEIR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP & INPUT. THE VIEWS & WILDLIFE CAN BE

ENJOYED BY A GROWING NUMBER OF VISTORS WITHOUT STRESSING BUT RATHER ENHANCING ACCESS FOR LOCALS &

VISITORS, WHO ALSO COME TO ENJOY THE MAGNEFICENT VIEWS. HOW CAN IMPACTS BE REDUCED-WHAT INVESTMENT

HERE MIGHT ASSIST?

-Significant, rare, Vegetation -Wedge Tail Eagles and other native birds & animals.

Figures 14, 15, 16,&17. Significant Road side Vegetation & Wedge Tail Eagles that frequent the Kilcunda Ridge View shed.

A SIGNIFICANT NEW COST TO THE COMMUNITY NOW AT KILCUNDA RIDGE RD

PRESSURE UPON THE RIDGE ROAD INCREASES DUE TO INITIAL DESAL PROJECT WORKS.

IMMEDIATE DISADVANTAGES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS BEGIN TO GROW:

BEFORE AFTER-A road already under tourism pressure, even initial Project activity of a few days only results in significant road damage as viewed above.-How much more load can this road carry, unsealed, before it becomes totally inaccessible to regular traffic? -Soon, heavy vehicle traffic involved in Subterranean Pipe work & Plant Power Supply works, will bring third world local access conditions . -Kilcunda lookout will be the best vantage point to view project works, this will also increase traffic load & further damage the road surface.

HOW PROJECT STAKE HOLDERS, STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN HELP:A deeper consideration & consultation toward planning, in respect to the plant profile, appearance, and ability to blend with the Coastal profile in harmony with the Viewpoints in this submission, is required. An investment is not only required for the visual Amenity of the plant from the Kilcunda Ridge View shed, but to also support and develop existing tourism by assisting in the maintenance & development of tourism functionality and area beautification. The Kilcunda Ridge Rd could continue to play a major role in this respect, if not, become a major tourist focal point and viewing platform that could enhance the popularity of any well executed project that ultimately moves forward, and provide an opportunity for the PPP to promote its community support through such sponsorship.To this end we feel that within all these imperatives, a great case exists to improve and seal the Ridge Road for the future benefit of the shire,and for all Victorians who are being attracted here presently in ever increasing numbers to “Come See the Sea at Bass!”

ALL WE ASK IS RESPECT, RECOGNITION & SOME HELP FOR THIS PLACE, WHICH

REPRESENTS ALL THAT IS US, ALL OUR RESOURCES & THE LIFES WORK OF ITS

RESIDENTS. RECOGNITION AS BELOW IS NEEDED & MORE SO TODAY!

ENQUIRY MEMBERS, WE NEED YOUR HELP MORE THAN EVER:

VICTORIAN COASTAL COUNCIL (VCC) STUDY COVERING AREA OF PLANT

RECOMMENDS……..

APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTLY AWAY FROM THE OCEAN!

IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BE REFERENCED BY THE EES, BUT THE STUDIES ORIGINAL INTENT IS LOST IN EES.

THE ORIGINAL STUDY STATES FOR KILCUNDA :THE ORIGINAL STUDY STATES FOR KILCUNDA :

“It contains areas obscured from view where development could be considered”.

“In addition to exposed and sensitive areas the setting type

has potential to visually absorb development in valleys not directly exposed to the ocean.”

“This area is of outstanding scenic quality and requires

appropriate planning controls to protect this significant landscape.”

Clearly, the proposed site conflicts with these long standing and important Coastal development Studies.

10 years later, do we choose to erode these important special planning considerations ? At what cost?

How can these costs be negated to benefit the community and the landscape?

THE KILCUNDA RIDGE & LOOKOUT NEEDS HELP! AN OPPURTUNITY TO COUNTER THE COST…………This panoramic treasure has been well and truly discovered, and thus as a

growing tourist route, and stop off for Photo taking etc. a number of safety issues surround the growing tourist use of the road, the lack of improved

Tourism facilities, such as improved parking, toilet facilities and the lack of

tourist information at the lookout, particularly for foreign visitors, is a whole

new problem for the Ridge Lookout road. In its simplest form, this is a

growing “Road Safety issue involving tourism activities” However we

would hope to illustrate in this submission in a broader sense, the Ridge

roads greater significance toward the continued tourism development of

our area in conjunction with the public works projects intended. It must

also be considered our very close proximity to Phillip Island, one of

Melbourne’s greatest tourist destinations, and the significant dual lane

road works that will deliver Melbournians and others to the foot of this

tourist route. This vantage point, its need for safer access via

improvements for an already constant stream of visitors, and preserving

the nature of our beautiful Shire delivered to us in part by this special

vista, must be protected and enhanced for all Victorians into the future.

CONCLUSION:

We would finally hope that any findings of the Enquiry which might validate any aspects of our submission, may gain

the full support of the Enquiry for the Residents of Kilcunda, to the greatest extent of your granted Powers, in order to

exercise whatever help that can be afforded to us in respect to the objectives & requests accompanying this submission,

and to help us counter the negative effects of these works and to identify an expectation of proper stakeholder input in

this respect based upon stated responsibilities toward the local environmental objectives, in part, as re-stated below:

-To protect Landscape values .

-To minimize adverse effects from visual intrusion.-To minimize adverse effects from visual intrusion.

-To maximize benefits to the local community.

Help from the Enquiry to measure the costs in respect to where these objectives may fall short, and how these costs

might be, in part, negated via a level of support towards some of the issues outlined in this report, will be greatly

appreciated by Kilcunda residents in response to our efforts in this submission. Thank you.

Sean Gordon Morgan 26/12/08

P.O. Box 467

Moorabbin, Victoria 3189

Contact: Mob: 0418 55 77 56

e-mail: psao@bigpond.com.auOn behalf of Kilcunda residents & Tourist Visitors.