Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale locals urge Coles to scrap store for eco-centre

A seaside community has launched an audacious campaign calling for retail giant Coles to transform from environmental threat to local hero.

Point Lonsdale residents Trish Berry, Will Johnston and Jess Chong are opposed to Coles plans to build a supermarket on green space. Picture: Alan Barber

A grassroots campaign is calling on Coles to scrap a multimillion-dollar development on the Bellarine, in favour of an environmental restoration project.

‘STOP Coles at Swan Bay’ was launched in September by residents concerned that Coles had earmarked the corner of Bellarine Highway and Fellows Rd in Point Lonsdale for a multimillion-dollar development.

If approved by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, the development would bypass the need for council approval.

Will Johnston, member and president of the Swan Bay Environment Association, said one of the campaign’s key concerns was the environmental impact, as the site bordered RAMSAR wetlands.

Now, he said, they were calling for Coles to scrap supermarket plans and instead establish an eco-restoration project on the land.

Mr Johnston said the mega-corporation often spouted that they were environmentally-conscious.

“Let’s see some proof,” he said.

“They could make themselves local environmental heroes.

“From supermarket, car park and liquor land to this - it’s a big shift, but there is an opportunity for Coles to give back to the community.

Mr Johnston said up to 97 per cent of the Bellarine’s vegetation had been wiped away since colonisation, and it was in desperate need of rehabilitation.

“We can’t afford to lose any more plants,” he said.

“All of the major local indigenous plants are represented on this Coles block – native mistletoe, she-oak, three different species of salt bush and more.

“And it’s just alive with birds, we’ve counted 22 species on the block so far.”

As of November 25, a petition launched by the group calling for Coles to scrap the build, had received more than 3500 signatures – exceeding the population of the seaside town.

Point Lonsdale residents Will Johnston and Jess Chong are opposed to Coles plans to build a supermarket on green space. Picture: Alan Barber

Founding member of STOP Coles Trish Berry said the group had fronted the costs of the campaign – purchasing hundreds of corflutes, buying morning tea for meetings and campaign flyers to pass around town – but they knew Coles had a bigger budget for the fight.

A recent meeting attracted more than 450 residents, including local member Alison Marchant.

“This is a united community concern,” she said.

She said the community was pushing for Ms Kilkenny to stop the development in preapplication stage due to community, environmental and zoning concerns.

She said the group also wanted the City of Greater Geelong to rezone the land.

In October, Mayor Stretch Kontelj said he wrote to Mr Kilkenny calling for assessment of alternative locations which would align with community expectations.

He said it was now “one for the Victorian Government” to make a call on.

A Borough of Queenscliffe spokeswoman said council continued to monitor the pre-application process, advocate on behalf of the local community, and participate in any consultation initiated by the Minister.

A Coles spokesman said they were still in the initial stages of preparing a development application for Point Lonsdale, which would include comprehensive environmental, economic, and social assessments.

“We understand that developments of this nature can raise important questions, and we want to reassure the community that their concerns, be that environmental, social, or economic, are taken seriously and will be carefully considered throughout our planning process.” he said.

Originally published as Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale locals urge Coles to scrap store for eco-centre