Bait shop shrugs residents’ tackle

By Alison Noonan
CASEY Council has approved a controversial application to build a bait and tackle outlet on the Warneet Foreshore.
Council issued the permit at its planning meeting on 28 February, much to the disgust of locals vehemently opposed to the proposal.
The portable ticket collection booth and small store, to be located in the foreshore car park, will offer round the clock manning and supply a range of bait, tackle and boating equipment.
Applicant and Blind Bight resident Granger Barnett said he was now awaiting the issue of a lease from the Department of Sustainability and Environment but was confident his enterprise would go ahead.
“There has been a lot of games but I’m hopeful the DSE will grant a lease for the ticket booth,” he told The News.
“This will be the best way of ensuring funds are put back into the foreshore,” he said.
“Residents can keep fighting it but I’m prepared to go all the way just on principle.
“The same objectors say they’re opposed to my proposal but they all want to do exactly the same thing.
“The very next day after council issued my permit a few residents bought the old bait and tackle shop on the foreshore and now they want to add a takeaway cafe.
“They are absolute hypocrites. The whole thing has been a disgrace,” Mr Barnett said.
However Warneet resident Jenny Malison said the fight was far from over, vowing to ensure the foreshore was kept in the hands of community-minded locals.
“It wasn’t going to be advertised for expressions of interest because there were no other applicants.
“But I know of others who are planning to make an application so it will have to be advertised,” she said.
“But they certainly won’t be putting it where he wants to because it’s absolutely ridiculous.
“The other outlet would be run by residents, as it used to be, so all of the money will go back to the foreshore. We don’t want it taken over by a private enterprise, which will pocket all the takings.
“So many residents don’t want his proposal and we will continue to fight it.”