Residents seek agreement on way forward

HARKAWAY residents met last month to find a common ground for restoration of the Walsdorf Creek.
In December a section of the creek bank near King Road was clearfelled to make way for replanting but this drew complaints from some residents who questioned the method and time chosen for the project.
Casey Council agreed to survey property boundaries along the creek and to fence the lines at council cost but this has been a slow process because of terrain difficulty.
There are varying views on the clear felling method but discussions on this have taken place.
Harkaway resident Bill Peeler said the meeting was fruitful, but said much more was needed to reestablish water quality in the creek.
He said slurry coming into the creek must be stopped and a regular flow restored.
“Runoff of septic tank overflow and sullage from the town is also damaging.
“King Road on both sides of the creek from Baker Road to the top of the hill must be sealed to stop chemicals from dust repressants getting into the water,” he said.
Cardinia Catchment Landcare Group (CCLG) president Margaret Cromb has supported the clearfelling in small sections on the basis that the pittosporum, although native, was considered a weed.
She said the clearfelling made way for the planting of suitable vegetation.
Hanson Quarry at Harkaway has also said it would work with the community in an effort to rejuvenate the creek.
Bird Observers Club of Australia representative Graeme Hosken said in a survey report on birds along the creek that 23 species were observed on Thursday 15 February.
The report recommended that the council should review its clearfelling policy.
He said clearing should be conducted during the nonbreeding season of targeted small plant species only.
He said larger trees should be ringbarked and that dieback would provide shade for new plantings.
“There should be a follow up through the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to establish if discharge from the quarry was legal,” he said
Hanson Quarry spokeswoman Sarah Hudson said the company applied environmental management plans across all operations including Harkaway Quarry.
Ms Hudson said that as part of its management plan, Harkaway Quarry complied with the strict conditions of its EPA discharge license that enabled the quarry to discharge water from site operations.
“Hanson Quarry takes its environmental management responsibility seriously and would welcome the opportunity to work with the community on rejuvenation initiatives related to the nearby creek,” she said.