4. HISTORY OF MARINA PROPOSALS

 

HOW OFTEN HAS THE MORNINGTON YACHT CLUB PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC HARBOUR?

 

Since 1965, Mornington Yacht Club has applied 3 times to alter the existing mooring arrangements in the Mornington Harbour. The two earlier proposals ( 1987 and 1990, as follows) were both rejected by the State government due to the potential issues of flushing, water quality and impacts on the local beaches.
MorningtonYacht Club’s three marina proposals-1987, 1990 and present proposal ( 2004 Version). Photo from The Mornington Peninsula Leader-10 November 2004.

1. 1987. A feasibility Study identified the need for a ‘safe boat haven’, involving the development of a 300m long rock breakwater.

 

2. 1990. The Mornington Boating Facilities Study and Environment Effects Statement (EES) concluded that the Harbour was the most appropriate location for a ‘safe boat harbour’ – after considering various options, including a rock breakwater along the outside of the pier and at right angles to the Pier into the harbour. In 1993 an Independent Panel reviewed the 1990 documents and in principle supported a modified breakwater.
But, in May 1994 the then Minister for Planning (Robert MacClellan)   concluded, following further advice from experts, that a marina at Mornington harbour was not appropriate and that any proposed marina for Mornington should be located outside the harbour.

3. In November, 2004. Mornington Yacht Club lodged  its third proposal for a marina in Mornington Harbour, after engineering consultants Sinclair Knight Mertz (SKM) completed a report on its Maritime Engineering Feasibility Study on behalf of the Mornington Safe Boat Haven Limited (MSBH), this time using wave screens – i.e. they proposed a marina –“Just like the one at Blairgowrie”- rather than a rock breakwater.

 

  • In 2005 the Minister for Planning determined a limited EES was required for the proposed marina and issued preliminary EES Guidelines for public comment. Significantly more comprehensive and demanding Guidelines for the EES were subsequently issued by the Minister for Planning in May 2006.  Consultants Sinclair Knight Mertz (SKM) prepared the EES Report  including expert (technical) reports.

 

  • In January 2009, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council issued a Planning Permit to Parks Victoria for the reconstruction of the centre section of the historic Pier and the development of associated wave protection works for the Pier, as had been determined at public community meetings (including Mornington Yacht Club) in February 2002.

 

  • At the end of 2009, Mornington Peninsula Shire  Council voted to apply to the Minister for Planning for his authorisation to prepare for public exhibition and community comment,  Planning   Amendment  C107, which would   privatize the public waters of the Harbour for use as a private Marina, as listed above.

 
Amendment C107