Funding blocks on escape route

WORKS for an important Gembrook road that could provide another emergency escape route for local residents will remain stalled without government funding.
Cardinia Shire Council elected to wait for government funding before re-opening the northern end of the road which was closed in 2011 at the request of Parks Victoria and then Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Residents from the southern end of the road have petitioned council to reopen the road and provide an additional emergency escape route.
Minister for Environment Ryan Smith said in July council would have to prepare a management plan, including an assessment of threatened flora and fauna, before the road could be considered for reopening.
Council has estimated a management plan and necessary works would cost at least $1.3m.
Gembrook Township Committee president David Nickell said council had put up “yet another hurdle for the community to overcome”.
“It’s a very important historical, cultural and strategic link to the Yarra Ranges,” he said.
“It’s important for the tourism and business future of Gembrook.
“Millions are spent on footpaths in Pakenham, millions on McGregor Road. Why won’t they extend this principle to Gembrook?
“This is why I am resigning from the township committee, council does not listen to community groups.”
Central Ward Cr Jodie Owen said council felt the frustration of residents.
“This has probably been what seems to be the longest and most frustrating issue we’ve had to deal with since I’ve been elected,” she said.
“Residents feel like they’re in a pin ball game, they come to us, they get sent to the CFA, they get sent to the State Government and then they come back.”
Site inspections reveal “a significant number of mature indigenous trees would be required for road widening and realignment”.
There are also concerns with threatened local fauna.
“Until a full survey is undertaken, it is difficult to establish the exact extent of vegetation removal that would be required,” a report found.
Ranges Ward Cr Tania Baxter said the project should be co-funded by council and State Government and “potentially the community” under a special rate.
Brett Owen said council was in a difficult place and needed “substantial dollars” to get the project complete.
“This has been one of the hardest issues I’ve had to work with,” he said.
“Without significant contributions from government, this will never get up.”
Central Ward Cr Kate Lempriere said : “the realism is, financially, we cannot do it by ourselves, full stop. We need State Government money, maybe even Federal Government money. And maybe a portion of residents’ money.”
Manager Community Safety CFA Southern Metropolitan and Gippsland Region Jude Kennedy said the authority had no objection to the reopening of the road, according to a council report.