Big red eyesore lands in Oak Beach

Ugly shipping container is a beach say locals

Paul Makin

Journalist

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Oak Beach resident Colin Simpson says residents will have to get used to ‘Big Red’ in their lives IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

Oak Beach is a quiet place where residents and holiday-goers are normally very chilled but since a large shipping container appeared in Oak Street about six weeks ago, that cool has changed to being hot under the collar.

The ‘Textainer’ is the property of a Melbourne builder who’s going to use it to store construction supplies and as a site office during the build on the double block.

While some residents are sympathetic to what the builder is trying to do, they are upset that the container is planted out front and not placed in a more suitable location on the block where it wouldn’t be so conspicuous.

The Melbourne builder says the shipping container will be there for at least a year IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

Local charter boat boss Colin Simpson, who lives a few doors down from the large red container, told Newsport “It’s ‘butt ugly’ and a real eyesore but what can you do? It appears the builder has a permit from Council so it’s something we’ll have to get used to for quite some time” he said.

Another resident Liz Waterland said, “It’s certainly an unwelcome object in an environmentally sensitive area”.

A spokesperson for Douglas Shire Council confirmed the builder does has a permit. “Council has issued an approval as per its Local Laws for the container to be placed there during construction.

Council has received no enquiries regarding this approval”.

When approached for a comment the builder Mr Matt Orr was upfront and told Newsport “I thought I put it in a very thoughtful position, and I certainly don’t want to upset anyone” he said, “but I can’t see there’s an alternative because it’s going to be a large house taking up both blocks and it needs to be there”.

Mr Orr says he expects the container will be a regular sight for approximately a year, at which time it will be removed”.

Mr Orr, who’s moving up north on a more permanent basis, said he’s happy to take calls from any residents who want to talk about the situation.“If they have a better plan, I’m happy to listen” he said.

The home that Mr Orr is building will be like no other in the Douglas Shire, using a technique that goes back further that even Feng shui.

It will be constructed using Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian Science of Architecture, which has a special design, layout, measurement, ground preparation, space arrangement, and spatial geometry.

It’s claimed that building a house the Vastu Shastra way, gives the occupants success and peace in their lives. It sees the home having multiple floors and rooms facing certain directions, making it a 'healthy' building promoting the well-being of people living in it.

In the meantime, one resident, who feels they aren’t experiencing any of that peace and harmony, suggested to Newsport that local school children could paint the container and cover it with a mural, possibly with a rainforest theme. Builder Orr fully supports that idea. “Go for it” he said, “I’d certainly support that paint job”.

One resident suggests that local school children could paint the shipping container and make it more attractive. IMAGE Paul Makin|FAB FM

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