15 May 2012
15 May 2012
Jon Andrews
FEDERAL funding for bracing the Cerberus gun turrets has been pulled, with a land-based display of the Black Rock historic ship likely to be created instead.
A federal department is withholding money for strengthening the turrets, which are in danger of collapsing the whole vessel.
It will now fund an interpretative devices display and install cathodes to try to slow down rusting of the turrets.
The Cerberus, an early battleship, was scuttled in Half Moon Bay to act as a breakwater in 1926. It is on the National Heritage List.
Friends of the Cerberus had campaigned long and hard for government help, getting $500,000 for the bracing project in 2008. But now that money is going elsewhere, much to the dismay of group president John Rogers.
"This is a rubbish decision; they just want the Cerberus to go away, but we need to protect our heritage," Mr Rogers said.
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities released a letter last month.
In it the department states the bracing concept was dangerous, and invasive of heritage values.
Mr Rogers encouraged the community to write to the Heritage Minister demanding he reverse the decision.
Details: cerberus.com.au