FIVE candidates vying for wards in the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council election are advocating to save the historic Beleura Cliff Path in Mornington after it was closed two years ago because of safety concerns. Candidates Paul Pingiaro, Nick Fallow (Tanti Ward) along with Despi O’Connor, Anthony Marsh (Briars Ward) and Daniel McCaffrey (Kackeraboite Ward) have all thrown their support behind the 102-year-old path, which winds along the cliffs from Mills Beach.
The path has been closed since October 2022 after two landslips occurred, causing the path to be “badly damaged in many sections and not safe for recreational use”, according to the shire. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council maintains responsibility for the path, which was first “cut with a pick and shovel” in 1922. Residents are now expressing grave concern that the path could be lost forever if council don’t act quick enough.
All five candidates have recognised the path as being an important community asset and a key part of Mornington’s coastal heritage and identity. A campaign to save the beloved path since its closure has garnered strong community support to ensure the iconic walking route was preserved for future generations. Incumbent Briars Ward councillor Despi O’Connor moved a motion in April to keep the Beleura Cliff Path alive including that a friend’s group was allowed to continue work on the path, advocate to the state government to raise awareness of the asset and conduct community consultation about the preferred remedial works.
“Its legal status is that it is a public path. This section of crown land on the coast is managed by the shire, but consent for works on crown land always lies with the state,” she said in a statement. “And with 64km of coast, the council will require funding to support any work on the coast. “I will continue to fight to get this path open. Advocacy to fellow councillors and to higher levels of government will be required to get everyone on the right track.”
Peter Nicholson, of the Save Beleura Cliff Path group, who hold regular working bees, said it was encouraging to have the support of candidates after being at loggerheads with the shire. “It’s a priceless inheritance from 1922 when it was built with a pick and shovel,” he said. “Future generations will curse us if we don’t save it.”
Mr Nicholson expressed frustration that the council had not undertaken its own research into the cause of the landslips, noting the path was in otherwise good condition. “The landslips took out two areas of the path but 80 per cent of the path is good but it’s terrible to think they will let the whole path go because of two sections,” he said. “They (council) think it’s a bother; they haven’t thought it through at all.”
According to Mr Nicholson, the friend’s group’s own research had showed that drainage problems, one caused by a shire drain, was behind the landslips. “The council said geo-technical reports from engineers and consultants had confirmed the land was not safe. “The entrance to the path has been blocked off with fencing and signs with one noting, ‘We expect this to be a long-term process, and the path will not open in the near future’.”
The shire said it was working to undertake four weeks of community consultation later this year. “We understand how important the 100-plus year path is to many in our community, and we continue to work through the wide range of issues necessary to be considered to achieve reopening of the path,” the council said on its website.
First published in the Mornington News – 15 October 2024
