Pond plan of hope

By Melissa Meehan
THE historic Henty Lily Pond will soon be given new life.
Cardinia Shire councillors adopted the Lily Pond Master Plan on Monday night, which will see the pond rehabilitated.
Works will also seek to improve the water quality and quantity flowing into the pond and improve habitat areas in and around the pond.
Councillor Brett Owen said that the lily pond, in Pakenham, was a valued asset to the town.
“It’s about time council re-invested in old parts of Pakenham,” Cr Owen said.
“The pond is now in a desperate situation.”
Councillor George Blenkhorn echoed his colleague’s sentiments, highlighting the historic link between Pakenham and the pond.
“This lily pond was established in 1900 to harvest water lilies,” Cr Blenkhorn said.
“It is an important part of Pakenham’s history.”
Cr Blenkhorn said the inclusion of ideas to introduce a friends group for the lily pond would give locals a sense of ownership over the area.
Residents and Pakenham Secondary College also support the master plan.
“We applaud the master plan and believe the work will make it less of a fire risk than it currently is,” Principal Ray Squires said.
“I believe this will be a benefit to the community as well as rejuvenating a once forgotten part of old Pakenham,” resident Bruno Lebrasse said. “Without re-establishing the pond to its former beauty it will become a dumping ground of rubbish.”
The total cost to implement the master plan is estimated to be nearly $360,000.
The council has applied for the Federal Stormwater Harvesting and Re-use Project – it is anticipated the results will be announced in August and if successful the grant will match dollar for dollar the value for the total cost of the project.