Neos Kosmos

Ninety Miles to nowhere

A stretch of the Ninety-Mile Beach where residents Carol Glover said it is rare to see anyone else

The saga of Ninety-Mile Beach has stretched for decades, affecting the lives of many first generation Greek Australians who invested in the stunning coastland. Eleni Hale reports.SOME of the first Greek and Italian migrants to land on Australian shores in the sixties had a dream; it was sold to them in the form of a block of land, on a beautiful part of Victorian coastline known as Ninety-Mile Beach in Gippsland.A few bought the land before arriving in Australia, others were made an offer as they disembarked and took their first steps in the new country and for some it was a decision they made in the months after arrival. Though many signed without seeing the property, the sceptical ones were tempted with a free bus ride and lunch to come and view the untouched scrubland.The plan was perfect.It would be the Victorian equivalent of the Queensland Gold Coast. They were shown plans for a dreamy coastal town, which had yet to be built but promised to meet all their needs should buyers decide to build homes and lives in the area.Otherwise, property developers Wilmore and Randall assured them, it would serve as a wise future investment.Law firm Wilmore and Randall worked together with the state government and Rosedale shire, who have since amalgamated to become part of Wellington Shire, subdividing the coast-hugging properties into the small, yet long thin blocks of land.Some buyers spent 200 pounds on the tiny portions, a lot of money when you consider regular incomes could be as little as six pounds per week, and a couple of hundred pounds could get you a property in Melbourne, which today could be counted as a significant investment.Neither the government, nor Wilmore and Randall mentioned that some properties were situated on a mostly-dry lake and so unable to sustain a building. Nor did anyone warn of the flooding tendencies some properties suffered. None of the buyers could have predicted just how far from the dream investment this would turn out to be.Soon a large number of non-English speaking migrants owned many of the 1400 properties on the stunning coastline that ran in a long strip between the pristine beach and Lake Reeve. The documents were signed with little more than 'good faith' and a handshake, because most details were in English and translators still rare.First generation Greek Australians said they trusted government involvement would signal a safe investment.It was a brave move. But after leaving homeland, friends and extended family behind, an impulsive investment might have seemed painless in comparison.The European experience indicates townships near the ocean flourish, but then they had never encountered the vastness that is Australia and the lonely stretches that make up much of its landscape.After that initial sell-off, which proved so lucrative for Wilmore and Randall, the promises began a slow rollback.No town was ever built. No paradise settlement. Few homes. No jobs.Greek and Italian Australians who hoped to live in South Gippsland would not be able to sustain a living.Then, a rethink on subdivisions in the seventies led the state government and Rosedale Shire to decide on a minimum of four blocks before a building permit would be issued. This placed the dream of erecting a home high above the grasp of families struggling to earn money and create opportunities for their children.The dream was turning into a costly nightmare.The pressure of paying annual rates on an investment that offered no kickbacks became too much for some who simply stopped paying and the properties fell back into shire ownership. They often resold this land. Six years ago in 2001, Sale resident Carol Glover wanted to purchase land and build a holiday house of the Ninety-Mile Beach.She was aware Greek Australians owned property there and it had been a bad investment.She attempted to find them. This proved difficult because of protection laws but she finally located the Zaharopoulos and Bilalis families who quickly agreed to sell.This was the beginning of a lengthy battle with Wellington Shire who had already compulsory acquisitioned one of the properties.She said the shire went to great lengths to block the proposal but after using her contacts within council, she was able to purchase the blocks. And finally, after much wrangling, she was granted a building permit.She is one of the lucky few.

The Zaharopoulos and Bilalis families both have English as their second language. Carol said they expressed frustration and disappointment dealing with council, which had been fraught with complicated bureaucracy. She believes it would have been very difficult for them to achieve what she has."The people I bought my blocks from didn't have a hope in hell of doing what I've done because they were dealing with Wellington Shire from Melbourne. I live locally in Sale and have knowledge of the corruption that is taking place," she said.As the seaside boom created demand for coastal properties some have accused the shire of planning a take-back.They say information is being withheld and property owners are being 'tricked' into handing back property whilst believing they have no choice.Concerned local residents believe Wellington Shire has a new big plan for Ninety-Mile Beach but this time it has nothing to do with homeownership.Carol said by 2002 when she applied to buy land, Shire was increasing restrictions and there was a sharp rise in compulsory acquisitions.At the same time council staff were buying properties but when questioned they responded by telling angry residents they had as much right to buy property as everyone else. Accusations have surfaced that Wellington Shire is trying to get control of Ninety-Mile Beach and take advantage of 'prime real estate.' Residents believe, in time, developers will control the area.

The shire has responded to this by denying any business with developers.Mayor Beth Ripper said people should not be "paranoid" because this is not the plan."Absolutely not, that's not the intention," she said.Ms Ripper said current restrictions were for environmental conservation. To protect delicate ecosystems in the area.But angry local residents continue to accuse the shire of changing rules and misleading property owners.

And as for the Greek Australian buyers who were first promised the paradise township?State government and Wellington Shire have called it a bad investment.Both deny any responsibility or compensation for the losses.But residents are urging those who still hold titles to come forward and resist pressure to forfeit rights because they believe with enough people, the bad investment could still become the dream holiday home on what is a truly stunning stretch of beach.If you would like more information about Golden Beach and other areas along Ninety-Mile Beach phone Carol Glover on (03) 51431664 home or (03) 51226325. Or phone John Rafferty on (03) 9761 0735.