Acting Premier says Brighton beach boxes ‘there to stay’ despite controversial new government proposal
A “ridiculous” proposal placing Brighton’s heritage-listed bathing boxes at risk has been defended by the State Government, despite Acting Premier Lisa Neville saying it has “absolutely no plans” to remove the “iconic” tourist attraction.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The State Government has been forced to secure Brighton’s biggest tourist attraction’s future after a draft policy proposed bathing boxes should be removed or relocated “as the opportunity arises”.
The recently-released Draft Marine and Coastal Policy states structures such as bathing boxes are “inappropriate” near or on water.
The plan — which would place Brighton’s heritage-listed bathing boxes at risk — has sparked outrage on social media.
Brighton state Liberal MP James Newbury said scrapping the boxes, which have been part of the suburb for more than 100 years, would be like “saying ‘let’s get rid of the penguins’”.
Mr Newbury said he had received about 300 calls from “all over Melbourne” about the issue since yesterday afternoon.
“It would have a profound impact, not just in Brighton but around the world,” Mr Newbury said.
“How could you want to remove an international icon? This is just mad.
“There isn’t a tourist I’ve met who hasn’t asked to see the penguins and the bathing boxes.”
“This is one of the most bizarre things I’ve seen a government propose. The bathing boxes are absolutely iconic.”
But Acting Premier Lisa Neville said this morning the government had “absolutely no plans to remove these boxes”.
Ms Neville defended the draft document, saying management plans since the 1990s had a provision for beach boxes to be moved “in the case of public safety issues”.
She said there was no new push to get rid of them and accused the Opposition of “fearmongering” and spreading “nonsense”.
“They are iconic, they are an important part of Melbourne’s beach history, and they’re there to stay,” Ms Neville said.
The Leader last month reported residents were concerned the boxes were under threat of washing away due to erosion, dredging and increasingly rough seas.
Alison Joseph said Bayside Council had not listened to residents who told them building the boxes at the southern end of the Dendy St Beach was a bad idea.
Friends of the Brighton Dunes convener Jenny Talbot said channel deepening in Port Phillip Bay had made erosion worse at the site.
“People who buy into the boxes think they’re buying real estate but they’re buying into an eroding beach that cannot be relied upon,” she said.
The beach boxes regularly sell for more than $300,000.
The draft policy lists beach boxes, jetties, beach access paths and fishing huts as “structures that are not appropriate to be located” near or on the water.
Other non-essential structures include community halls and commercial function centres.
It proposes to “relocate existing buildings, structures and facilities that do not need to be on marine and coastal Crown land away from that land when suitable opportunities arise”.
Peter Harvey wrote on Facebook: “How ridiculous is this idea. The beach boxes are synonymous to Brighton … Leave them alone!”
Bill Bardsley wrote: “Every city needs something unique and quirky so as to have an identity. For goodness sake don’t destroy our identity.”
MORE: WHY BRIE, PARMESAN COULD LEAVE AUSSIE SHELVES
NEIGHBOURS FIGHT DEVELOPER FOR THEIR ‘PROMISED’ RESERVE
Angela Vella said: “They belong where they are.
“They are a tourist attraction, which I am sure brings money in for local businesses. Cannot think of one good reason to change things”.
But John Hickey called for the boxes to go so the beach could “be natural”.
“There (sic) just a trophy for the wealthy now so what point do they serve? Nil,” he wrote.
The Brighton Bathing Boxes and Dendy Street Beach are included on the Victorian Heritage Register under the provisions of the Heritage Act 2017.
Currently any changes to the Bathing Boxes require a permit or permit exemption from Heritage Victoria.
Exposed: the Victorian aged care homes failing residents
More than half of Victorian aged care homes are falling short of care targets as providers blame a severe workforce shortage. See the full list.
Vic suburbs that downsizers are flocking to revealed
Experts believe some of the state’s towns could see home prices surge from next year after Baby Boomers gain access to their superannuation. SEE THE DOWNSIZER HOTSPOTS.