The future of the paddle steamer replica PS Curlip was a key point of discussion at the East Gippsland Shire Council meeting on Tuesday, July 21, with council reaffirming its decision not to host the vessel on council-managed land.
During the meeting, local resident Stan Weatherall raised questions regarding the vessel’s future, asking if council remained of the opinion that the Curlip should not be sited on council land.
He also inquired about what financial contributions the council would be able and willing to make toward the project.
General Manager Assets and Environment, Stuart McConnell, addressed the queries, explaining that the council’s recent public Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the vessel explicitly stated it could not be relocated to council land.
This condition was established to avoid the risks and liabilities associated with placing the vessel on public property.
Mr. McConnell noted that the PS Curlip was previously located on public land in Paynesville, where the council ultimately had to step in.
After the responsible group overstayed its approved timeframe and was unable to relocate the vessel, council incurred significant costs to fabricate a transport cradle and relocate it.
Addressing the question of financial support, Mr McConnell stated that there is currently no allocation in council’s budget for the project.
Any future request for financial assistance would need to be submitted and assessed alongside other local initiatives through the community grants process.
Council further noted that the vessel, a replica of the original PS Curlip, has already been the recipient of substantial public funding.
This includes a $30,000 contribution from council for a previous business case, in addition to the municipal funds required to clear the vessel from the Paynesville foreshore.
