Decade of campaigns proves people power’s a winner for tight-knit community crusaders

From saving the iconic Cove Hotel to securing political support for Mordialloc Freeway, here’s how the vocal, united and organised Carrum and Patterson Lakes locals are showing the strength of people power.

The Carrum and Patterson Lakes community has proven the strength of people power, with more than 30 successful campaigns including saving the Cove Hotel. Picture Norm Oorloff

The power of community spirit and social media has seen more than $540m poured into projects to improve a seaside suburb in Melbourne’s southeast.

The tight-knit Carrum and Patterson Lakes locale has successfully lobbied for more than 30 campaigns over the past decade — from saving the area’s iconic Cove Hotel to stopping rogue monkey bike hoons and building the $530m Mordialloc Freeway.

Seven of the area’s biggest projects — including the Frankston-Clayton thoroughfare, Roy Dore Reserve redevelopment, installation of mooring facilities at Patterson Lakes boardwalk and erosion management at Carrum foreshore — were led by community crusader Cameron Howe.

The highly anticipated Mordialloc Fwy is now well underway, with the nine kilometre link set to be completed late next year after Mr Howe joined forces with the Aspendale Gardens Residents Association, Seaford Community Committee and the Frankston Business Network to create an online petition in a bid to land State Government support in 2017.

And last year, dedicated community members were vocal in their fight to save the beloved Cove Hotel pub which was set to make way for dozens of high-rise apartments.

Campaigns by the Carrum Patterson Lakes Forum Facebook page secured funding for the Mordialloc Bypass. Picture: VicRoads

Patterson Lakes residents were furious when the Cove Hotel‘s carpark was reduced in March last year. Picture Norm Oorloff

Mr Howe founded the Carrum Patterson Lakes Facebook Forum 10 years ago and has since managed a number of social media pages through which he backed a further 40 initiatives including active efforts to duplicate the gridlocked Governor Rd and redeveloping Bonbeach Primary School.

Cameron Howe (R), pictured with City of Kingston councillor Tamsin Bearsley, helped introduce a plan to tackle foreshore erosion at Carrum beach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mr Howe said his dedication to solving issues within his local area was sparked after investigating erosion issues along Carrum foreshore during high school.

“It motivated me to submit a proposal to authorities and resulted in an interest in community issues,” he said.

“Thanks to community support, various issues have received attention and funding — highlights include upgrading Roy Dore Reserve, new town centre boat mooring facilities, implementing a Patterson River litter trap, footpath and accessibility upgrades, saving the Cove Hotel, fighting overdevelopment, funding the Mordialloc Fwy and delivering action on foreshore erosion.”

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Mr Howe said it was his dream to deliver an art trail along the Patterson River.

“The forum has developed to include dedicated online platforms to crime, business and community discussion,” he said.

“It’s rewriting how advocacy on local issues can be delivered with community engagement online.”

Labor Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny said 10 years of the Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum was “a wonderful achievement” and a credit to Mr Howe’s “hard work, integrity and commitment”.

“It has made our local community a better place for everyone.”