Residents divided over plans to seal roads in Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay

Plans to “urbanise” two Phillip Island suburbs have divided a community, but not even those who support them are willing to pay.

Some Bass Coast residents feel they have been ignored by council after it decided to forge ahead with an urbanisation project despite fierce opposition.

The special charge scheme, would include road upgrades — such as sealing the roads, installing and upgrading intersections, installing curbs and footpaths — and adding lighting is part of a plan to upgrade the area.

But during community consultation, hosted in late 2021, residents raised concerns about how the project would impact the environment, with some saying the proposal would make the area feel too “urban”.

It also received some support but one thing was clear — many don’t want to cough up for it, with more than half of the respondents stating they wouldn’t be willing to pay for the upgrades.

Maxine Sando, who is opposed to the project, said it wasn’t fair residents were being asked to pay for something they had opposed.

“Many residents are very worried about what the final costs will be and many have indicated that they would be forced to sell and relocate,” Ms Sando said.

She also expressed concerns council could be using the plans as a ploy to increase rates.

Some residents in Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay are feeling ignored by council after a decision was made to continue with a special charge scheme which would see roads be sealed and additional lighting added.

Resident Emily said she was against the attempts to “urbanise” the area.

“We, as a majority of residents and ratepayers oppose in it’s entirety, an outdated road scheme that seeks to urbanise what is a sensitive and crucial part of the Phillip Island ecosystem,” she said.

She also expressed concerns about how the construction works and ultimate upgrades would impact the existing environment.

“The area plays home to many wildlife species of which we feel have been ignored by BCSC in their proposal,” Emily said.

“If the plans proceed, the village nature of Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay will cease to exist. As with Cape Woolamai, the traffic will exponentially increase at much higher speeds.

“Our infrastructure, wildlife and environment will not cope.”

Ms Sando, who lives among the shearwaters, said people who had purchased in the area did so as it is one of “the last natural and untouched areas on the Island”.

Despite residents acknowledging dust and drainage were issues that needed solving, they have been split on how to deal with it.

In initial consultation there was overwhelming opposition to sealing roads with 246 residents voting against a seal and only 99 voting for it.

“We are opposed to any attempt to kerb and channel our roads. Any hard road surfaces and footpaths will add to any drainage issues and destroy much needed habitat.”

“Many of the drainage issues on the roads are isolated and pertain to areas with non-existent or incorrect swale drain designs, which are the responsibility of the BCSC to maintain.”

However some submitted that sealing the roads would reduce dust.

“If you love the dust and flooding, you can always sell up and move to Sunset Strip,” one person wrote.

Emily suggested water spraying could be a solution to the dust, while others said dust suppressants or speed bumps could help.

But, others were hard on their support for sealed roads.

Council is developing concept plans which will be presented to the community in the next few months.

Ms Sando is “frustrated” at the council for progressing with the plans.

“Many residents are frustrated with the council process and the fact that our ward councillors have not met with us personally to hear our views,” she said.

“One of our biggest worries is that many homeowners do not live at their property and may not be aware of what is going on, additionally that council has said that a non responsive homeowner will be considered as a yes vote made by council which does not seem at all fair.”

Bass Coast Council was contacted for comment.