It seems that all roads lead to Kilcunda (Australia), with several items on the Bass Coast Shire Council’s meeting agenda last Wednesday, February 16, focusing attention on the spectacular seaside settlement.
As per a report, with a 20-year lease on the hall, issues with a parking lot off Mabilia Road and the big one, the council agreed to seek an AU$250,000 Sport and Recreation Victoria grant towards the AU$575,000 Kilcunda Skatepark.
Another significant issue for Kilcunda includes assigning a brand new 20-year lease for the famous Kilcunda Oceanview Holiday Retreat to the existing leaseholders Holiday Retreats Rivergum Pty Ltd.
With the awarding of the caravan park contract comes a promise from the leaseholders to make nearly AU$2 million in upgrades to the park, including a new playground and the construction of a new toilet and amenities blocks as part of an extensive renovation.
In moving the motion to accept the submission from Holiday Retreats Redgum Pty Ltd for a 20-year lease at an annual rent of AU$152,000, rising by 3% annually, Councilor Rochelle Halstead said it was an exciting time for the town.
“Thank you, Mr. Mayor. What an exciting time for Kilcunda at the moment. There are so many projects planned and really close to commencement. The commercial confidence being shown in the area by Retreats Rivergum by committing to a $2 million upgrade is promising for the local economy and will complement the projects Council has planned,” Halstead said.
Halstead also added that it is pleasing to see the plans for an upgrade of the site are sensitive to the environment, inclusive of culture, and offer some of the best views in the state of Victoria.
“The only issue that I would like to address, which is the elephant in the room, is the loss of the tennis court that has remained a part of the leased site and therefore not an appropriate location for community recreation.”
“However, I think this may offer an opportunity for the council to consult with Kilcundians about their recreational needs, and identify a more appropriate site, maybe close to the planned new Kilcunda skatepark, could be an option.”
A shire panel selected the current lease as the top choice after exhaustive expressions of interest process that resulted in four applications.
Three of them made it to the evaluation stage and scored Holiday Retreats, scoring 893 out of 1000, and another candidate scored 782 out of 1000.
Ultimately, the existing leaseholder was judged as the best applicant, offering the highest financial return, the best non-financial submission, and the financial capacity to pay the lease and fund the proposed capital works.
The successful candidate provided AU$5 million in lease payments and capital works benefits, with the council ultimately having control over the property.