GROUND VIEW

Shire makes submission on Alcoa land, Anglesea Futures

THE Surf Coast Shire outlined its position on the future use of Alcoa’s freehold and leasehold land at its council meeting on Tuesday night.

Its submission points to the Anglesea Futures Draft Land Use Plan and the Alcoa Freehold Draft Concept Master Plan include acknowledgement that the Anglesea bike park will need to be moved if Area 10 is to be developed as residential land, and the land there should feature affordable housing options.

The shire is also suggesting a joint study be undertaken with the state government and Alcoa into the opportunities and practicalities of making changes to the local road network, “but this would not result in an Anglesea ring-road, highway or bypass”.

The council submission also touches on Alcoa’s proposal for the 108-metre smokestack at the power station.

Alcoa has suggested retaining or repurposing part or all of the smokestack into an observation tower or other use, an idea that has provoked a mixed response on the letters pages of this paper in recent weeks.

Paul Cleeland wrote on February 15 (“What’s Alcoa smoking?”) that Alcoa’s proposal to retain “the eyesore of its massive smokestack chimney” was his main concern with Alcoa’s vision for the site.

“The proposal is to put up a spiral staircase and create some kind of viewing platform over the national park, but really the best view will be over the local rubbish dump.”

On February 22 (“Get high on the smokestack”), Tom McGrath cited the Split Point Lighthouse – “where people climb up to see the coastal views” – as a good example of the tourism opportunities a viewing platform on the smokestack could provide.

“I think we have a unique opportunity to create (an) iconic tourist attraction… Think of the Big Banana, the Big Merino, even the Big Prawn. We could have the ‘Big Kangaroo’ or the ‘Big Surfer’.”

In its submission points, the shire states that it is interested in community views on the use of the smokestack but is “determined not to hold a position at this time”.

Mr McGrath’s views on the smokestack have been backed by another letter writer this week, while other Anglesea residents have expressed concerns about the plans for residential development in Alcoa’s freehold land. Letters start here.

The shire’s submission points can be found in the appendix from Tuesday night’s council meeting, which is available at surfcoast.vic.gov.au under the council meetings tab.

Submissions to Alcoa’s Freehold Concept Master Plan close on March 6. Visit engage-anglesea.alcoa.com.au/Anglesea.

Submissions to the Anglesea Futures Land Use Plan close on March 16. Visit engage.vic.gov.au/angleseafutures.

For more from Tuesday night’s council meeting, click here.