Foreshore comment.

May 20th, 2009

I have received this contribution from Wayne at Pt Vernon and thought it worthy of posting. If we are to protect our treed and green forshore we have to start voicing how strongly we feel about it. I believe we need to tell everyone at all layers of Government that a green vegetated foreshore is as important to us as is our Esplanade etc. The current thinking is that sand and trees etc don’t rate protection but concrete and steel infrastructure, eg roads, does!

Wayne writes…
I was looking at your blog and noticed your stated ‘vision’ for the HB foreshore as follows:
 
  • “HERVEY BAY foreshore – I want to see Hervey Bay become the best coastal garden city in Australia. Why do we visit places like Montville and Toowoomba? Hervey Bay must continue to develop our Esplanade in an environmentally sensitive way. We do want to actually see our lovely blue waters so planting very low growing ground covers, rather than bushy shrubs, under taller trees is advisable in some areas. Let us make our Esplanade a boulevard that people come especially to visit. This means we prevent further building development on the North or ‘beach side’ of the Esplanade. Green and treed cities and towns, I think, are simply more attractive places to live and visit”.
    •  
    As you already know by now, my vision for our foreshore (especially in populated areas) is very similar to your own in terms of appearance and public usage.  Apart from replanting more sensibly, I feel some of the species selected and ‘natural regrowth’ need to be taken into consideration also.  I also think that some of the more ‘tacky’ building that has already sprung up on the beach side of the Esplanade should be given incentive and encouragement to improve their appearance by renovating, rebuilding or, in some cases, even relocate.  
     
    Maybe you are now in a position to actually shed some light on any definte progress that is likely to occur in the immediate future regarding improvements along the lines of your stated vision?  Is there some way that the public might assist to bring about the necessary changes?  I know of many residents like ourselves who would welcome changes along the lines you suggest, and who would even be prepared to shoulder some of the physical and/or financial aspects of achieving it.
     

    2 Responses to “Foreshore comment.”

    1. # sueon 20 May 2009 at 7:02 am

      Wayne yes we have had immense staffing changes post amalgamation and my much hoped for Foreshore Plan review is well overdue. The process however will happen and I personally will endeavour to ensure that there is an opportunity for the community to comment. I am not sure how we will manage this process and it may simply be that we (or I personally) invite residents to comment on the current status of the plan and what changes they would like to see.
      I am also keen to progress a revitalised Community Environment Program which will enable interested residents to be directly involved in maintaining Parks areas such as our foreshore.
      I will try and provide more info over the weekend …just snowed under this week after attending the Coastal Conference last week and a hectic meeting schedule this week. Sue

    2. # bagginson 21 May 2009 at 10:30 am

      Sue, your comments on the foreshore issue are noted and many of us wish you every success!

      Lots of locals are really keen to finally see some progress made along the lines of your own vision statement! We sincerely hope other councillors have a similar vision for our future? Please keep us all posted!

      Cheers,

      Baggins

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