COMMON GROUND: Shire supports concept for Winchelsea Common

THE Surf Coast Shire will go further with its concept to improve the Winchelsea Common, but will not build a bike track on the site.

Councillors endorsed the proposed project scope of works for the former go kart track area within the Winchelsea Common at their meeting on Tuesday this week.

According to the report presented to councillors, the updated project concept includes a new crossover from Gladman Street to the existing walking path, and a new internal pathway around the outside of the area that will showcase the fauna, flora, and landscape of the common.

It will also include approved seating suitable for the area, wayfinding, and interpretive signage.

The common, formerly the site of the gun club and go-kart club, was closed in 2012 after contaminants, including lead shot, clay target fragments and plastic casings, were found across the site.

It was not formally reopened until February last year, following clean-up works by the shire and the then-Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; now known as the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

An area within the common had previously been designated through the shire’s Future Use Plan (2016-2017) “to be fully remediated with an active recreation zone area eg. bike riding”, but officers are now recommending a bike park not be built in this space as its Environmental Management Plan has clear limitations and restrictions, including excavation and movement of contaminated soils.

 

“The site includes contaminated soil from across the common, which has been capped and cannot be impacted by new works.”

Supporting the motion, Cr Adrian Schonfelder said the most frequent question he heard when he stood at the last council election was about the Winchelsea Common and when it would reopen.

“I can very proudly say that in my opinion, the greatest achievement of our council term is the opening of the Winchelsea Common.”

The draft concept and scope of works have been submitted to DEECA for in-principle support, and shire officers will communicate the proposed scope of works to the community and provide an opportunity for questions.

Cr Heather Wellington successfully moved an amendment to the motion to immediately initiate discussions with the Winchelsea community about establishing a bike park elsewhere in Winchelsea.

She said there had been a lack of engagement with people in Winchelsea about the future of the common.

“We could say it was impossible to develop a bike park, but how will we know what the community be able to come up with if we don’t even ask them?”