THE first Wellington Shire Council ordinary meeting of 2023, held on Tuesday, saw councillors reject one Port Albert road project, but give the green light to another, as the meeting lasted around just 16 minutes.

An upgrade for Princess St in Port Albert (between Spring St and Victoria St), which was subject to a petition presented at the December 6 meeting, was rejected by Council.

The petition, which had 68 signatures, suggested that an upgrade to a section of Princess St would provide better access to abutting properties, as well as make it easier for property owners to maintain the grass within the road reserve; improve drainage; and improve access and parking options for the Port Albert Mechanics Hall.

“We the undersigned petition the Council to investigate options for the upgrade of Princess St Port Albert between Victoria St and Spring St to a standard where the street could be added to the Council Road Management Plan and then maintained by Council and further advise the petitioners of the available options,” the petition reads.

Roads which the criteria are added to Council’s Register of Public Roads and are inspected, maintained and repaired by Wellington Shire Council.

Council said the road does not meet the criteria for general public use, as written in the Council agenda: “The road is not essential for primary access for more than two discrete land owners; and the road has not been previously constructed and is not currently in a condition which is maintainable by Wellington Shire in line with Council’s Road Management Plan.”

Councillor Garry Stephens acknowledged that this wasn’t what the petitioners wanted.

“My understanding is that whilst there is a number of properties abutting Princess St, there is only one property that requires regular access and so the Council is actually treating that street in accordance with the criteria that it uses under its Road Management Plan for all roads and streets in the shire,” Cr Stephens said.

The head petitioner, Port Albert resident Rhonda Cahill, told the Gippsland Times it was “not correct” that there was only “one resident affected”, and outlined other properties that have access to Princess St.

Ms Cahill is looking to push the matter further.

“The petitioners were not asking for just access for the residents but for all the people listed; clubs, community groups, small businesses, hall function attendees and children who use Princess St,” she said.

Ms Cahill said she was disappointed in the decision, but was glad she was able to act on behalf of the petitioners.

Ms Cahill appeared in person at the last Council meeting on December 6.

The second Port Albert project discussed in the meeting was streetscape works for Wharf Street.

This project was approved by Council, and Doncol Civil Pty Ltd was named as the successful tenderer, with a contract prepared for Council’s consideration.

Council said the project intends to “rejuvenate the streetscape on the western side of Wharf Street, Port Albert from Bay Street to the wharf by the installation of footpaths, landscaping and tree planting and kerb and channel where appropriate”.

Councillor Marcus McKenzie addressed his fellow councillors, saying that Port Albert was the “gateway into the future of wind farm operations”.

“Infrastructures like this will certainly make Port Albert a destination, not only for the wind farm operators, but certainly for people wanting to live in Gippsland, and certainly Port Albert,” Cr McKenzie said.

Cr McKenzie thanked everyone who supported the project and noted that it had exceeded the “project cost”, although it was worth the expense for the long-term.

The meeting also saw the December 2022 Council Performance Report presented.

“It’s good news on the financial front,” Cr Stephens said.

Cr Stephens said that it was difficult for Council to find the skilled staff they needed to fill vacancies, but this meant that employee costs were down.

Interest income was also boosted due to higher interest rates.

Mayor Ian Bye acknowledged the Day @ The Port event on Saturday February 4, which he said was very successful, but was affected by terrible weather.

“The public and the residents of Gippsland loved the day,” Cr Bye said.

“It’s the first time we’ve done such a large-scale event that the Shire has controlled at the Port.”

Cr Bye says Council will consider running the event every year, with hope for better weather next time.

About 10,000 people attended the festival-like event, with family entertainment and food options.

The next ordinary council meeting will take place on Tuesday February 21 at 6pm.

Wellington Shire Council meets at 3.00pm on the first Tuesday of each month and 6.00pm on the third Tuesday of each month. The meetings occur in the Council chambers at the Wellington Centre in Sale.

Meetings may be watched live or replayed on Wellington Shire Council’s YouTube Channel.