Extensive community consultation in 2015 showed overwhelming support for a fully enclosed harbour, Council received 698 responses of which 416 were in favour of option C. (fully enclosed)
This went before Council on the 7th. December 2015 with a recommendation to proceed with option A, clearly not the ratepayers wishes. If you take the time to listen to the audio of this meeting on the Council website, you will hear the four councillors who voted to proceed with option A. do so because they all state it is fully funded and not a cent from the ratepayers. Where is that money now?
Now we find Warrnambool City Council director of infrastructure Scott Cavanagh stating we are applying for cash for facility upgrades, council is seeking cash for a new three lane boat ramp and improved road works around the port.
Mr. Cavanagh also stated “Users of the port facilities need to make their own assessments about the risks involved in entering that constantly changing environment” he said “if there was an incident or change at the port that presented an unacceptable level of risk, council would close the port”
Warrnambool fisherman and advocate for safer launching facilities Rodney Blake says the city council is “negligent in its role as port managers at the harbour”.
Mr. Blake has challenged the Council regarding OH&S issues, is our port compliant?