A fencing quote to replace the notoriously inadequate Blackmans Bay blowhole fence obtained

REPLACING the fence along the Blackmans Bay cliffs would cost the Kingborough Council less than $100,000.

A sign posted at Blackmans Bay Blowhole following the death of Margaret Lore. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

REPLACING the fence along the Blackmans Bay cliffs where 17-year-old Margaret Lore fell to her death a full 18 months ago would cost the Kingborough Council less than $100,000.

The Mercury yesterday obtained a quote from a fencing business for a 2m-high chainwire fence stretching 350m — the approximate length of the current structure.

The quote was for $90,000, or $125,000 for a 2m-high bar fence — similar to the one that currently restricts access to the blowhole itself.

Residents and alderman concerned over lack of proper fencing at Blackmans Bay blowhole. It's been more than 18 months since death of 17yo teen. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass is maintaining the council cannot do anything to improve safety at the site until the coroner’s report into Ms Lore’s death is finalised.

Cr Wass said nothing had been done in the 18 months since the tragic death because they did not own the land where the fence is erected.

But the council had taken responsibility for the management and maintenance of the land for decades prior to Ms Lore’s death.

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Kingborough Ratepayers Association president Mervin Reed said the council had lifted rates by an average of 8.5 per cent over the past three years.

Mr Reed said he was therefore at a loss to explain how the council could not fund an improved safety fence to prevent further deaths at the notoriously dangerous cliffs.

The mayor was meanwhile surprised yesterday when the Mercury told him his council also had streets that they have built and maintained on the same parcel of land — with sections of Talone and Blowhole roads on the title that council solicitors are trying to establish the ownership of.

The Blackmans Bay Blowhole. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The mayor has said that once ownership is determined, the council will move to acquire it.

At a council meeting on March 14 last year, councillors voted to defer leasing the land until after the coroner’s investigation.

But it can now be revealed that at the same meeting, Cr Flora Fox said the end of Talone Rd — which runs over the blowhole passage — was used as a turning circle for rubbish trucks.

“This area is very vulnerable,” she told the meeting.

“For council to have done that without actually owning the land or having a lease over the land put us in a very awkward position if something goes wrong.”