At Wednesday's February Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors formally considered the Federal Government's intention to divest Fort Queenscliff and partially divest Swan Island. In response to significant community interest and concern, Council resolved to take a series of actions to guide its engagement, advocacy, and communication on this issue.
Following the introduction of the matter as urgent business by Cr Di Rule, Council unanimously endorsed a six part resolution that sets out Council's next steps:
Endorse the Councillor Discussion paper
Council endorsed the Councillor discussion paper outlining the key matters it believes must be retained, protected, and secured for community benefit in any future ownership arrangement.
Promote the Councillor Discussion paper widely
Council will distribute and promote the discussion paper across the community to ensure the community is fully informed about the principles guiding Council's considerations.
Undertake community engagement
Officers will prepare a report recommending an engagement process that allows the community to share views, concerns, and aspirations regarding the future of both sites.
Form an advocacy position based on community feedback
Following community engagement, Council will receive a further report to help develop a clear advocacy position to present to the Federal Defence and Finance portfolios.
Write to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles and the Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher. Council will formally advise the Ministers of its key considerations and outline its community engagement plans.
Seek clarity on community participation in the federal process
Council will request further detail from the Commonwealth about how local communities can contribute to the process described in Delivering the Future Estate, particularly in relation to heritage preservation and future public access.
While Council has not yet adopted a formal stance on the divestment itself, it has made clear the values and protections it will advocate for:
safeguarding the heritage, history and identity of both Fort Queenscliff and Swan Island
promoting future public access and community use, and avoiding exclusive or restricted outcomes
securing environmental and coastal protection for both sites
ensuring strong planning and governance controls, with ongoing Council and community oversight
calling for consideration of the social and economic benefits these sites provide to the Borough.
Council also clarified that the Borough of Queenscliffe cannot and will not pursue ownership or a financial stake in either site; this remains a matter for the Federal Government (and potentially State Government).
Cr Rule emphasised that Council's role is to lead community engagement, listen to local perspectives, and ultimately advocate strongly to government on behalf of the community.
The Deputy Mayor concluded by noting:
"This is not simply a property transaction. It is the transfer of a place of national significance. Our role is to ensure that whatever future ownership looks like, the Fort's (and the Island's) heritage, public value and community benefit are protected in perpetuity."
