Change the World > Darebin Bridge > 3. Challenges to overcome > 5. Distinguishing between open parkland and environmentally sensitive areas
5. Distinguishing between open parkland and environmentally sensitive areas
Some Boroondara residents and the Mayor don't recognise that the bridge and trail avoids all ecologically sensitive areas. The whole project has been given the thumbs up by the experts.
Draft Landscape Concept Plan for Willsmere Chandler Billabong 'Buffer Zone' released
July 07 The City of Boroondara has released a Draft Landscape Concept Plan for Willsmere Chandler Billabong 'Buffer Zone'. This is unlikely to have a major impact on the overall project, however it could reduce options for the best trail route in the future.
This plan could be seen as a move by Boroondara Council to hinder the progression of the bridge project. Council are seeking comment until July 25th 2007.
Whilst we support council's desire to revegetate the area and improve this asset we note that the design differs greatly from the previous concept as muted in the Council Approved Management Plan.
We are surprised that the soccer pitch appears to have been moved even closer toward the Billabong, and further away from the infrastructure (pavilion, seats and lighting, all currently at eastern end) built to support it.
Unfortunately the plan appears to significantly reduce flexibility for a future trail alignment adjacent to the soccer pitch and could result in a trail closer to the billabong than is necessary.
We are also surprised by the seemingly premature statement on the council website:
"Please note that the plan does not show a shared path link through the reserve to connect the Darebin Creek Shared Trail with the Main Yarra Shared Trail, as this alignment for the path connection is not supported by Council. Council is concerned about the impacts that the construction of the trail and the bridge crossing over the Yarra River will have on the environmental values of the park."
This statement appears to preempt the outcome of Council's consideration of Parks Victoria's planning application for the bridge over the Yarra River and associated trail in Wilsmere Chandler Park. The planning application will be submitted in July 2007.
The current Council is yet to consider the Parks Victoria proposal, although it is noted that council has previously made clear its desire for an alternative to a previous Parks Victoria application (Council resolution 2003).
The imminent planning application from Parks Victoria provides the opportunity for the current Council to vote on the preferred bridge location and trail alignment.
We have asked that the Draft Landscape Concept Plan for Willsmere Chandler Billabong 'Buffer Zone' be reviewed after the Parks Victoria application is lodged and council has made a clear decision on that application.
