By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A GROUP of Upper Beaconsfield residents say VicRoads is using a local landmark as a “dumping ground“ and has spent six months ignoring their pleas to clean up.
Located just off Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, Elephant Rock is used by locals as a community noticeboard – often painted to commemorate significant anniversaries or events. It is also the site of a popular scenic lookout.
Resident and Upper Beaconsfield Association member Jenny Pritchard said that in recent months the area around the rock rock had fallen into disarray.
“There are piles of asphalt and rubbish every time we go up,” she said.
“It’s gotten to the point where you break an axle just trying to pull in.”
Members of the Upper Beaconsfield Association have been lobbying VicRoads to fix the issue for the past six months with no success.
“We’ve contacted them several times and spoken to Brad Battin in the hope that they would be more responsive to him,” Jenny said.
“It just seems that it’s in everyone’s too hard basket.”
After being contacted by the Pakenham Gazette on Thursday 16 July, VicRoads Director of Operations Metro South East Michael Barker said VicRoads was working to rectify the situation.
“We are aware of dumped rubbish and material at this location, and arrangements are being made to have it removed in conjunction with some general tidying up in the area.”
