CR. LACHLAN Cosgrove recently secured unanimous support at a Council meeting for a crucial initiative concerning the future of the Point Vernon Esplanade Foreshore.
The Council will soon review a special report recommending an increase in service levels for open space maintenance between the Pines and Esa Park in Point Vernon. Additionally, the possibility of redesignating this area as a high-profile zone will be considered.
This issue has been a longstanding concern for decades. In 2017, the Council introduced a comprehensive plan to enhance the foreshore, aiming to improve its visual appeal and address the presence of weeds. However, progress has since regressed.
In response, the Point Vernon Foreshore Enhancement Group has launched a petition, urging the Fraser Coast Regional Council to address the ongoing neglect of this valued foreshore. The petition supports Cr. Cosgrove’s motion for increased maintenance and enhancement efforts.
At the time of this publication, the petition had garnered signatures from hundreds of residents and was increasing daily.
The group claims that the foreshore's maintenance has declined, resulting in overgrown grass, weeds, and saplings, which have contributed to an untidy and unappealing appearance. They also express concerns about changes made to the area without adequate consultation with local residents, contrary to the Council’s 2012 key objectives.
Community consultation is at the forefront of the group’s concerns.
They are calling on the Council to actively engage with residents to ensure the foreshore meets the community’s needs. Preservation and safety are also top priorities, with the group seeking action to eliminate vermin, restore parklands, and implement erosion control measures.
The concerns raised by these residents are difficult to dispute. In its current state, the Point Vernon foreshore falls below the standard that the Council would tolerate if it were a private vacant block of local land.
Local representation has been overly green for the past eight years, compromising the safety and well-being of the area.
This situation presents an early test for first-term Councilor Cosgrove, who faces significant scrutiny to deliver the desired outcomes.
To learn more about the petition and lend your support, scan the QR code provided.
