My 2001 Annual Report refers to a VCA presentation where a VCA consultant stated that the increase in the mean higher high tide level would not exceed 20 mm as a result of the proposed deepening. It was agreed there, that in many aspects of the proposal, there was still a very great lack of information, which was needed to gain a fuller picture. I suggested extra information that we would require. It was accepted that that was needed, and would be forthcoming, but our questions remain unanswered. The VCA has amended the 20 mm figure to 10 mm. Some of our views on this matter were reported in a local newspaper, The Mariner. The VCA risks putting public relations spin above substance. 

We have co-operated with major groups such as the Victorian National Parks Association Inc. in the successful campaign for bipartisan support for Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. The determined efforts of our Member Organizations, and individual members of them, such as Bob Whiteway, of BRASCA Inc., helped have Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary re-instated in the Bill that was eventually passed. Note though that aquaculture proposals still apply. We have objected to extension of the commercial tea-house at Ricketts Point, which is consistent with our support of Bayside Council's proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C25 on "Roof Terraces" on freehold sites near the coast. 

The outlook for inappropriate disposal of Commonwealth defence land at Portsea and Point Cook is still unclear, but residents in those areas have made their feelings very evident that the land should remain as some form of public open space. Our letters to Federal ministers, with copies to Federal and State parliamentarians around the Bay, have helped. 

The Committee of Management has finally recommended to this General Meeting a Draft Policy on "Private Structures, such as 'Bathing Boxes', on Public Land and Waters". In my report last October I hoped it might be ready for April 2002. The continued push for marina developments at Frankston and Tassell's Creek, Safety Beach, has led the Committee to not only keep opposing those developments, but also recommend a draft Policy Statement on marinas to you. Our system of Policy Statements has been most helpful in formulating clear cases at short notice, as this month's submission on Planning Scheme Amendment C24 for Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park has shown. 

Des Berry, a welcome newcomer to the Committee of Management, drafted a very effective critique of the Mt Eliza-Portsea Coastal Action Plan, and he and Len Warfe had useful discussions with Central Coastal Board staff on it. The Committee maintained its opposition to the rebuilding of "bathing boxes" at Mt Martha North beach, and to large development proposals for the Mt Martha coastal quarry site. PPCC Inc. has appealed to VCAT over Mornington Peninsula Shire's decision to build a skateboard and BMX bike facility on the Rye foreshore. 

An area where we need a clear policy statement is the growing question of the impact of "interpretive facilities" and "public art" on our very narrow, heavily-used foreshore reserves, where we generally seek to have the natural environment maintained as the dominant feature. There will be pressure for Beach Park at Ricketts Point Sanctuary to have such facilities. Bayside Council already has numerous metre square white rectangular signs displaying paintings of the coastal scene against a backdrop of dark green bushland. It is now considering the worthy provision of material about the involvement of indigenous Australians on its coast. It even has a large illuminated stainless steel sculpture. Things like Greater Geelong's colourful "bollards" and other decorative accessories on its coast might well spread. 

Len Warfe has returned as our hardworking Junior Vice-President, but most regrettably we are to lose Olwen Bawden as Secretary and Stephen Calvert-Smith as Treasurer. In my 2001 Annual Report I said that I would not stand as President in 2002. I would prefer that, unless there are no other candidates, in which case I shall accept one more term.