By JARROD MCALEESE
PLACES Victoria has revealed that a proposed partial removal of boardwalks surrounding the Mary Street and Bridge Road lake in Officer, which is designed to address safety and environmental concerns in the area, has been put on hold.
The Gazette has reported complaints that fencing blocking footpaths in the Aspect Estate had been preventing residents from walking on the tracks, forcing them to turn back or walk onto the wetlands.
In addition, the wetlands in question was home to endangered birds which have had their nests washed away due to the persistent flooding.
Places Victoria General Manager of Land Development and Housing Peter Vlitas said that though Places Victoria sympathised with residents over the continued blockage, the fencing has remained in order to protect them.
“Some parts of the boardwalk paths have regrettably been closed for safety reasons due to unexpected levels of flooding.
“Places Victoria has been working closely with Cardinia Shire Council and Melbourne Water to reach agreement on how to resolve this issue,” Mr Vlitas said.
And though Places Victoria had endeavoured to deliver a solution as quickly as possible by renovating the walkways, Mr Vlitas said that residents may have to stay patient until construction in the area progresses.
“Places Victoria had proposed to decommission the lower level boardwalks to create additional habitat for native wildlife.
“This would have seen temporary fences removed some time ago.
“As a consequence of discussions between Places Victoria and the council, it was agreed that the preference was to wait until construction of the next stage of the wetlands is completed to see if this resolves the flooding issues,” Mr Vlitas said.
It is expected that further construction will commence later this year.
Cardinia Shire Council Open Space Team Leader Kevin Alexander said: “This reserve is still under the management of Places Victoria (PV) and has not yet been handed over to Cardinia Shire Council.
“Council is aware of pathways in this reserve being blocked by barrier fencing and have been working with PV and Melbourne Water to resolve the issue.”
