Port Phillip Council set to spend $50k on another municipality’s gardens in free entry scheme

Port Phillip Council has been blasted for “throwing money away” in a plan to spend $50,000 so its residents can get into gardens located in a neighbouring municipality for free. But not everyone agrees.

The mansion at Ripponlea Estate.

A plan to fork out up to tens of thousands of ratepayers’ cash each year to allow Port Phillip residents to gain free entry into Rippon Lea Estate, which is in a neighbouring council area, has been slammed as “ridiculous”.

Port Phillip councillors last week voted to splash up to $50,000 to allow their residents free entry into the Elsternwick garden site under a similar deal struck by Glen Eira Council — where the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)-managed estate is located.

Glen Eira residents gain free entry to the estate, guaranteed by their council’s annual $250,000 contribution to the trust.

But councillor Andrew Bond called Port Phillip’s plan to do similar the latest “ridiculous” use of ratepayer’s money.

“It’s nothing but throwing money to another municipality,” Cr Bond said.

“This isn’t a cheap exercise and it isn’t in Port Phillip.”

Port Phillip residents presently have to pay $10 for an adult ticket to enter the gardens.

Rippon Lea Estate house and gardens are based in the City of Glen Eira.

Under Port Phillip’s plan, the council would give $20,000 to the National Trust to allow its residents free entry as part of a 12-month agreement, with “incentive based bonuses up to an additional $30,000 for a total value of $50,000.”

Councillor Louise Crawford said the deal would be an opportunity to provide open space to Port Phillip residents in an ever-densifying area.

“The least amount of open space to residents (in Port Phillip) is in East St Kilda and the Ripponlea area,” she said.

“Here we have an opportunity to change that.

“It’s cheaper than us having to buy land and maintaining it.”

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The plan hinges on discussions between Port Phillip and the trust.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) chief executive Simon Ambrose said the trust was looking forward to continuing discussions with Port Phillip regarding the proposed trial.

Rippon Lea Estate’s 14 acres of gardens and mansion was built in Glen Eira in 1868.

The estate has been open to the public since 1974.

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