Joy Irvine, Warrnambool

Cr Brian Kelson's call to construct a fully enclosed harbour flies in the face of the very thorough consultation process he was involved in. One section of the boating community is conveniently ignoring the facts and aggressively lobbying councillors in order to pursue their self-interest.

The project is about finding a way to launch and retrieve boats more safely. It is not about spending millions of taxpayer dollars on a pipe dream to steal some of Portland's competitive advantage. I hate to break the bad news but Portland's deepwater harbour and proximity to fishing grounds will always out-compete Warrnambool. The project is not about creating mayhem on Pertobe Road with queues of cars and boat trailers preventing locals and non-fishing tourists from enjoying Lake Pertobe and the foreshore. The project is not about choosing the most expensive and environmentally risky option - a fully enclosed harbour - rather than the cheapest but completely practical option - installing a larger, cleverly designed boat ramp that reduces wave surge and ongoing dredging. The project's technical advisory group says this simple option will successfully provide safer boat launching and retrieval 90 per cent of the time. Ninety per cent also happens to be the proportion of time ocean conditions are safe enough for boats to leave the harbour.

Coastcare groups, less vocal sections of our boating community and many passive recreational users of the area, do not want to see a fully or partially enclosed harbour. Many fishers also do not want this because they understand the potential environmental impacts on fish numbers. There are serious concerns with the unknown long-term impacts of new breakwaters on beach erosion and sand movement and with the likely introduction of marine pest species to Merri Marine Sanctuary via increased numbers of boats and trailers. There are many examples of this occurring after harbour developments, including Apollo Bay, where the nearby marine sanctuary is now threatened by an invasive pest. Our Merri Marine Sanctuary protects a large number of significant plants and animals and produces a large quantity of fish that supports recreational and professional fishing. The minimal development option will provide safer boat launching and retrieval, will not destroy the wider community's enjoyment of Lake Pertobe and foreshore area, will cost less and will be the least environmentally risky.

Bruce Campbell, leader, Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group

Re Councillor Brian Kelson’s comments on the harbour options – I believe there are several risks associated with the three proposals and as they are outside areas council should invest in, offers should be sought from venture capitalists for funds for construction and ongoing maintenance. All the works are to allow the launching and retrieval of large ocean-going boats for the pursuit of southern bluefin tuna which are classified critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and as ‘conservation dependent’ under Australian legislation. These classifications are reasons for me avoiding eating bluefin tuna and are good reasons for not spending ratepayers’ funds on the project. A ban on their exploitation could be imposed at short notice and the industry could collapse suddenly. Other risks are associated with sand buildup requiring regular dredging. This will be most prevalent in option C, the enclosed harbour, which is so popular among those who think others will pay for its construction and maintenance. Forty years ago, when I had left council employment and was working with the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education, I was approached by council staff to design an extension to the Japan Street drain outfall to the sea which was continually blocking with sand. The proposal was to extend the drain on piles to deeper water which would always be clear. I declined, saying the new work would act as a groyne and the sand would accumulate around it causing blocking as before; which was exactly what happened when the job was done by others. When I was re-employed by council in 1987 I redesigned the outfall to carry stormwater through Lake Pertobe to the Merri River, and showed how its capacity could be increased when required. It is the boat owners’ responsibility not to go to sea in unsafe conditions, and hope this letter will help preserve the lives of many southern bluefin tuna.

Graham Keith, Warrnambool

Roads fix is the number one priority. The Standard knows it and so do I. But the Roads Minister Luke Donnellan hasn’t been here and doesn’t get it. Sorry, he has been here - he flew into Portland and flew back out and didn’t use the roads.

Our roads are the worst in the state and VicRoads’ own data, backs that up.

There is no reasonable answer to Labor’s neglect of the roads in the south-west – perhaps the Minister should ask his city-centric boss why he needs to shore up his own city electorate. Despite Luke Donnellan’s comments there is no money announced in the budget for rural roads and the stark truth is that after a year in government  Labor  has not started a single major roads project.

It is crystal clear that in South West Coast roads are the number 1 priority for the district,  the Coalition saw this and committed $160 million dollars to the Country Roads and Bridges.

This funding has been scrapped in rural Victoria, and is cheating country Victorians of much needed roads funding.  In the meantime, 10 projects to be funded by Labor’s  “Country Bridges Program”  will be in Daniel Andrews own metropolitan electorate of Mulgrave.

In contrast the former Member for South West Coast, Denis Napthine, committed $2.6 million for the Myaman-Macarthur Road.  We know this funding has been scrapped by Labor, the money going to Melbourne roads.  

It is about time this Melbourne-centric  Labor Government understands that many of our rural roads are in such a bad state of repair that they are not only dangerous to drive on but risk the delivery of our product  to market. I said throughout the recent campaign. And you will hear, it again and again.

Roma Britnell, Member for South West Coast

Congratulations to the sub-committee of the SEAL Committee of Management with Ray Welsford, some members of staff and SEAL chief executive officer Debra Dumesny, for organising and hosting the centenary celebration of The School On The Hill.

Debra’s consistent effort, support and knowledge made the day possible.

My special thanks to SEAL committee of management member Pat Varley, who was the tireless instigator and driver of the celebration.

The School On The Hill is an affectionate name for the buildings at 71 Hyland St Warrnambool and was coined by the original school song which we heard on Friday when Jill Oppermann, accompanied by Merle Wines, led us in rendition.

At the opening ceremony in 1915 the ‘Warrnambool Agricultural High School’ saw a surprising number of parliamentary and education department dignitaries, as well as local representatives, walk through its doors. Those doors were framed by kookaburra and magpie leadlight windows and are mostly still there today.

The high status of attendees reflected the importance of the building, being the first government high school erected in Victoria.

Sadly, its unique and significant history attracted fewer dignitaries in 2015 but we were honoured that the mayor and two councillors joined us for the celebration.

The centenary was a great success, with over 85 people in attendance, including past and present pupils and staff, some of whom were there in the 1930s.

So many people have passed through those kookaburra doors over the past 100 years and while a number of schools and many community organisations spent time there, SEAL is the present custodian, having been there for 40 years.

If you missed out on the day, you’re welcome to call in, see the leadlight and take a wander through time. Please remember to sign in at the front desk.

Lisa Owen, Warrnambool

The Moyne Shire has begun putting in huge bluestone rocks along Pea Soup (250 meters) to protect housing along Ocean Drive from climate change, rising seas and more severe storms. This is consistent with their policy of fortifying to protect Port Fairy. Is this possible? The sea will not only batter and erode the coastline but also come up the river, enter the drainage pipes and come over the roads. Is there any strategy in council for thinking about moving parts of the town to higher ground?

Don Stewart, Port Fairy