Blind Bight resident Granger Barnett and local fisherman Bob O’Connell say the development of a new ticket collection booth and bait and tackle outlet on the Warneet foreshore will benefit boaters and put money back into the foreshore.By Alison Noonan
A BLIND Bight fisherman has snapped back at claims by locals that his plans to build a new bait and tackle outlet on the Warneet foreshore will stifle existing businesses.
Granger Barnett said his application to Casey Council to develop a ticket collection booth and small store will benefit the thousands of boaters that frequent the popular Westernport launching spot every year.
Mr Barnett, an angler of 20 years, said fishermen were currently forced to pay $8 to launch their boats into mud and vowed to pour funds from his proposed business directly into vital foreshore upgrades.
“I just can’t see a reason why this development shouldn’t go ahead,” he said.
“No one seems to be paying attention to the needs of the boaters who are demanding to know where their money is going.
“I want to start seeing visible improvements at the ramp. Warneet has become the main launch facility in the bay and if it was upgraded and manned on a more permanent basis it would provide a more efficient and professional service to visitors and boaters.”
Mr Barnett said round-the-clock manning of his portable ticket collection booth would ensure maximum fees were collected from boaters and offer a last port of call for goods before hitting the water.
“This store would supply a range of baits, tackle, boating equipment and other necessities needed by Westernport boaters and pier fishermen,” he said.
“It would also supply up-to-date weather information, fishing tips and hot spots and a place to exhibit, photograph and weigh their catch after a day on the water.
“Many fishermen are fed up with not being able to access bait and tackle in the early hours of the morning so this outlet will cater for boaters from 4am to 8pm during peak times,” he said.
Mr Barnett said the facility would provide employment for up to four locals and have no bearing on the future business of the Warneet General Store.
“I want to work with the shop and see what I can do to help them. I’m not here to upset anyone,” he said. “The increase in revenue from ticket collection can be used to install more lighting near the boat ramp and pontoon, ensuring silt and mud build up at both ramps is properly maintained.”
He said other benefits would be having recycle bins near the building, maintaining car park surfaces, extending the existing pontoon and constructing a new concrete boat ramp on the southern side of the pontoon.
Mr Barnett said he was disappointed his development would not be up and running before Christmas as hoped, and claimed he would now miss the bulk of the peak fishing season.
“I don’t want it to go ahead until the majority of locals are OK with it and I would ask all fishermen to be patient with boat ramp staff in the meantime,” he said.
Warneet Residents Association president and current ticket collection booth employee Andrew Dolan said the application had caused a great deal of drama in the quiet coastal village.
He said a number of locals had objected to the proposal and he was confident it would not be approved by Casey Council.
“I have no objections to anyone trying to make a living but there is no need for this development in the area,” Mr Dolan said.
“It will take away from the existing general store, which is very important to Warneetians.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens at council,” he said.
Casey Council planning manager Bob Baggio said council would schedule a presentation from the relevant parties for a Planning Committee meeting early next year.
