   The Village of Mount Eliza Settlement of the Mount Eliza region dates from the 1850s when the first land sales took place. One of the original settlers being James Davey, who shipped firewood and other produce to Melbourne from his property. By the 1950's the only uncleared land remaining was regarded as poor agricultural land, or land unsuitable for development." Mount Eliza was named after Eliza Batman, the wife of John Batman, by Captain Hobson, who arrived on the ship the 'Rattlesnake' in 1836 and surveyed Port Phillip Bay and nearby areas. Mount Eliza's Location
Mount Eliza is located approximately 52 kilometres from Melbourne on the Eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay. It is tucked away in the extreme North West corner of the Mornington Peninsula Shire and occupies 23 square kilometres or 3% of the Mornington Peninsula Shire. Mount Eliza is also located 35 kilometres from Rosebud – the administration centre of the Shire. The area is an established high quality residential area with unique character and amenity. Until recent years the amenity has been enhanced by the integration of the residential areas within the natural environment, the coastline, foreshore and other landforms. Mount Eliza still has a number of parcels of land zoned for residential development remaining. It is assumed (population forecasts, Mornington Peninsula Shire P 69) that around 30 - 40 new households will be added each year.
MEAFEC feels there should be a freeze on any further residential development until an impact analysis is undertaken on the potential impacts to the “quality of life” on the residents of Mount Eliza. There is “a dark side to suburban growth” - unbearable traffic, vanishing open space, increase levels of pollution, and higher local rates to finance the construction and redevelopment of utilities and roadway instrastructure. Our Population The population of Mount Eliza is currently 15, 500 (fifteen and a half thousand) people or 13% of the people who live in the Shire. This represents the largest concentration of people on the Mornington Peninsula area who contribute by far the largest amount (%) of residual taxes. There is approximately 6,000 private dwellings in Mount Eliza with separate houses comprising 94 per cent of all dwellings. Mount Eliza consists of a number of significant coastal areas including Daveys Bay, Pelican Point, Canadian Bay, Half Moon Bay, Earimil Beach, Moondah Beach and Sunnyside Beach. Many of the beaches provide secluded bays and scenic foreshore. According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Mount Eliza has eleven ecological vegetation classes, each with its own species composition. This is amazing diversity and is considered by experts to be the most species-rich ecosystem in temperate Australia and among the most species-rich vegetation communities in the world. Our area is particularly rich in native grasses, orchids and lilies.
The Village Shopping Centre The main shopping centre is known as the Mount Eliza Village, which services the immediate area and provides outstanding retail outlets for the community. There is little need to drive to Frankston or Mornington. It portrays a village atmosphere with a range of shops that bring an element of freshness and friendliness to the residents of Mount Eliza. But much still has to be undertaken to enhance the character of The Village. Improvements need to be made to pedestrian circulation and safety - the need to identify and promote visual harmony and integration of its natural character and we certainly need to accelerate the implementation of street furniture and other recommendations of the streetscape plans. Many other problems need to be addressed as well in The Village …. including - kerbside parking and parking areas surrounding the Village - solutions for shop and office signage, paving options, lighting and advertising banners, and underground electrical and communication wiring. Following are some extracts from our Minutes that provide a bit of a social history of the evolution of the Village – frustrating at times but yet challenging. October 1974 The consultant’s plan for the re-development of the Mount Eliza Commercial centre were on display in the window of the ANZ Bank. The Secretary (Anne Read) has requested that Cr. Blyth arrange to have small-scale copies available for detailed study. June 1975 A pathway has been made outside the Mount Eliza Post Office – thus protecting plants - mulch has been applied and plants were being cared for. Postmaster to be commended. September 6, 1978 MEAFEC appeals to Mornington Council to act promptly in the mater of “signs in Mount Eliza”, and to uphold the planner’s policy of achieving a “visually uncluttered landscape with clear, concise and UNOBSTRUSIVE signage”. March 1979 Litter around the Amoco Service Station.
Reply – a bin would be supplied on a trial basis only – they did not see the need for weed eradication at this location. September 1980 City of Frankston agrees to adopt MEAFEC planting suggestions (Humphreys & Baden Powell / Humphreys & Winona) for round-a-bouts. MEAFEC felt watering systems unnecessary and no pebbles required. June 1984 MEAFEC concerned about the future of the Balcombe Creek floodplain area as a result of proposed rezoning for residential sub-division on the South East face of Mount Eliza below Maughan Road. MEAFEC noted that all 3 Mount Eliza councillors had voted against MEAFEC’s objection. September 1985 Joan Kirner, Minister for Conservation, Forests & Lands, met with a deputation from MEAFEC at Parliament House – and heard of our concerns on coastal management of Mount Eliza, indiscriminate distribution by State bodies of plants and the insecurity of municipal flora/fauna reserves. June 1991 Mount Eliza Village landscape plans for new complex. John Ross (Engineers Dept – Mornington Council) indicated landscape consultants and owners aware of MEAFEC’s view that indigenous plants should be used. Baxter Development Plan – this could be the beginning of a housing development across the Morrooduc Plain (could contain up to 16, 000 people). MEAFEC attending meetings and objects to such a plan. Adminstrative Appeals Tribunal Panel (Canadian Bay – Mount Eliza Centre Foreshore Estate) recommended that that the original proposal for 37 lots be reduced to 28 lots, with areas of between 2,107 and 3,115 sq. metres. Tree removal subject to Council permit, hard surface coverage limited to 50%, installation of cut-off drain, silt traps and connection to underground drainage, and a requirement for a minimum of 5 metre width of land along the western boundary to be added to public foreshore Reserve. This result fell well short of MEAFEC’s imaginative scheme which such an area of foreshore required. The land was formerly owned by the Health Department and the Centre’s Board. Ranelagh Pumping Station to have two stand-by generators installed – one at Ranelagh and the other at Kunyung. Screen planting is to be provided after consultation with MEAFEC. |
