HMVS Cerberus: Council’s costly plan to save Half Moon Bay shipwreck
FOR 90 years, the wreck of the Cerberus has sat in Half Moon Bay, and now the council has voted to use concrete to save it — but that has sparked a warning that the cost could balloon to $10 million.
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BAYSIDE councillors have revived a plan to use concrete as ballast to save the HMVS Cerberus.
The council has $585,000 in the bank to save the Half Moon Bay shipwreck, which was scuttled in 1927 as a breakwater.
But this week’s decision, led by Mayor Alex del Porto, wasn’t made without drama.
Before voting in favour, councillor Rob Grinter lashed out about what he called a “tin can rust bucket” fearing the cost to go ahead with the overall concrete plan including the clean up would reach $10 million.
“I’m done with this in my book,” he said.
Councillor James Long was the only person who voted against the plan.
He said he copped a little flack for his views to explore alternative engineering solutions that were less severe than the concrete fill.
The $500,000 National Heritage Investment grant was secured by the Friends of the Cerberus group in 2009.
Interest earned since has been $85,000
The council will explore other funding options if the grant doesn’t cover the approximate $720,000 cost of the concrete stabilising.
Cr del Porto pleaded to councillors that concrete was the only way to go, talking down an option to use tank foam.
He said the council hasn’t got the time to waste, and need to pursue the concrete plan
“Council’s appointed maritime archaeologist, in collaboration with a highly regarded professional diving and wreck management company has reviewed a number of stabilisation methods while considering the available funding,” Cr del Porto said.
“Let’s think positive about this.”
Cr Sonia Castelli raised concern about the impact the foam could have on marine life.
Friends of the Cerberus president John Rogers was among residents who supported the use of foam at the council meeting on Tuesday, October, 24.
Concerned local Graeme Disney said using concrete would be a “quick fix” and asked council what was their long term plan.
“If the dome of the Royal Exhibition Building was under threat of collapse, would you support it with concrete?,” Mr Disney said.
“I would shudder at the thought.”
Mr Disney said he didn’t blame Bayside Council for the “inadequate response to the problem of collapse and legal liability”.
He urged councillors to defer the plan to use concrete until the federal and state governments take action.
The ship was scuttled by the Australian Navy in 1927 to as act as a breakwater to protect Half Moon Bay.
Despite big fines if anyone is caught there, swimmers and divers often trespass near the wreck.