Mornington Shire mayor Cr David Gill was posing for photographs next to a wire and concrete fence designed to stop cliff jumping at The Pillars, Mt Martha when, as if on cue, an ambulance appeared on the Esplanade behind him.
Realising the value of the unexpected backdrop, Cr Gill said it was the image to use as it underscored Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s concern that injury and possibly death could occur at The Pillars.
Minutes later, the mayor’s enthusiasm for the 400-metre-long temporary fence was challenged by nearby resident Anthony Little who said the fence was causing its own health hazard.
He said the fence was too close to the road and prevented walkers using a narrow track on the inside of the wooden roadside bollards.
Reiterating how the fence was designed to protect the safety of cliff jumpers who were often under the influence of alcohol, Cr Gill assured Mr Little that he would have council officers consider the loss of the path along the seaward side of the Esplanade.
Mr Little said council should make an asset of The Pillars and the scenic views offered by the roadside cliffs by building a boardwalk rather than fencing the area off.
The “temporary fence” comes after several years of the shire being unable to deter cliff jumping, despite alcohol bans (which also affected nearby streets), parking restrictions and visits by police and shire rangers (“Building a fence for summer at The Pillars” The News 4/12/18).
The state government has previously ruled out fencing off The Pillars so councillors agreed to get around the ban by making the fence “temporary”.
Residents are now wondering how long the temporary eyesore will last.
The shire has also announced a 200 metre ban on water craft from The Pillars without making any provision to enforce the ban.
Although “covert” CCTV cameras have been installed, there are no penalties for anyone caught inside the fence or within the 200 metre boating no go zone.
The strict, costly measures ($150,000 so far) being applied by the shire to stop cliff jumping follow legal advice that warned it could be liable and forced to pay compensation for injuries or death at The Pillars.
Cr Gill, a former resident of Mt Martha, acknowledges that he and his children have jumped from the cliffs there but “it’s now being used by people who don’t know where the rocks are hidden below the water”.
Graphic descriptions and photographs The Pillars posted on social media have made it a popular destination for overseas visitors as well as locals.
The rock formations and clear waters have been likened to those found and enjoyed by tourists in Croatia.
Real estate agents have been quick to spot a trend and are using closeness to The Pillars as enticements for holiday rentals and house sales.
Another enterprising company makes “Pillars Victoria 3934” souvenir badges which can be bought at the Mt Martha newsagency.
The trip advisor website has mixed reviews, with people being warned of the lack of parking and dangers of jumping.
On the plus side, The Pillars is seen as a “great place to test your bravery and jump off the cliffs into the stunning colours of the ocean below. Gets busy with the young and wouldn’t want to come on a summers day. Would be too packed.”
Another correspondent was more astute: “Very popular spot for people to cliff jump. Probably too popular for its own good. Can be unbearably busy at times. Unfortunately, local shire is going to shut public [out] with fencing.”
1 Comment
A Letter sent to Mayor David Gill,
,
I have been a local for 5 and a half years, a local tour operator, mother of 3 and visitor of the Peninsula for almost all my life. I have only visited the Pillars 2 times to see what all the fuss was about and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people there ALL having fun. My concern however was with the rubbish and LACK of rubbish bins in the area. Also concerned by the lack of parking. The path and bollards and reduced speed limit was a great idea. In fact, a 40km limit would also be safer for the huge amount of cyclists that use the Esplanade.
However, this absurd idea of yours is unsafe, most likely unlawful and absolutely a waste of $200,000 of hard earned rate payers money.
How on earth did you get this passed? How do you justify this project?
There has been an uproar on social media, in every day conversations with other locals and amongst other tour operators about this ugly and UNSAFE wall.
The council should embrace this tourist attraction and make it safer, cleaner and perhaps spend the money on the occasional “Friendly patrol”.
Please explain who is watching the CCTV Vision? Have they permission to watch young ones in their bathers? How did DWELP pass this? Can you share this information with the locals?
You know, many locals were expecting some wonderful things from you, but this has everyone speaking negatively about you and your council members.
You really need to remove the wall and listen to the majority of people you represent, not just a handful of complaints.
Warm regards,
Tanina Osborne