RoPPA

Remnant Vegetation in Danger
Rosanna Parklands contains remnants of Victoria's grasslands. These grasslands are one of Australia's most threatened ecosystems (only 0.1% remains). Yet Banyule Council cannot even manage the weeds and repeatedly slashes the endangered plants. We need a Councillor who will protect the local environment.

Trees Still at Risk
Council's 2002 Master Plan showed a bicycle path along the railway. This would have prompted the removal of 97 trees (according to the arborist). The trees were given a reprieve when RoPPA members braved Council's chainsaws and then appealed to VCAT. However, the Council has fenced-off some areas of the Parklands and (we understand) wants to remove trees bit-by-bit. Why not encourage some regeneration before clear-felling? The entrance to Bundoora Park is an example.

Natural Open Space Threatened
Public outcry prevented a wide "sealed" path through Rosanna Parklands. Now, a basketball halfcourt and a house-sized picnic shelter/building are proposed (check our website for a copy of the design). The community has absolutely not been consulted on these proposals.

Community Consultation is a Joke
Consultants surveyed local residents (for the Master Plan), but Council rejected their professional advice and would not release it to the public. RoPPA used Freedom of Information (FOI) to obtain the documents (which revealed the community didn't want the Parklands developed). About 1600 people signed a petition, which was then ignored. Vote for better consultation.

The Future
Rosanna Parklands is valuable. The land is worth tens of $millions. Thousands of people use it weekly; it is one of Banyule's most popular destinations. Over time it a will become more valuable and more heavily used. We suggest you vote for a candidate who will ensure Rosanna Parklands is protected for future generations as a natural, public open space for informal, passive recreation.

Our view of the candidates:

Matt Aitken Would halt any further construction works in Rosanna Parklands until the Master Plan is reviewed and would preserve the public open space.

Scott Crawford Would move to immediately suspend the present Rosanna Parklands Master Plan and all future works associated with it. He proposes a landscaping and vegetation plan as part of a ‘Management Plan’ for the Rosanna Parklands.

Marcus McFarland TBA

David Mulholland Dismisses RoPPA as a minority voice yet promotes consultation (Heidelberg Weekly 9/11). He ignores the 1600 signatures on our petition.

Tom Melican Supports the Master Plan (the June 2005 version includes a possible future basketball half-court, picnic shelter-building, etc.)

Please vote for a candidate who will support Rosanna's natural Parklands.

What do you think about the Park? Please let us know.

· Should you be interested in helping preserve this natural parkland, please complete the attached application form. CLICK HERE

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19 September 2005

Dear RoPPA members and friends

Annual General Meeting, Sunday 23rd October at 4:30pm

Our 2005 Annual General Meeting will be held in the Rosanna Parklands near Pickworth Crt on Sunday 23 October at 4.30 pm.

Agenda

1 Minutes of Previous AGM

2 Reports (President, Secretary, Treasurer).

3 Election of Office Bearers.

4 Our Vision for the Park.

Update

Despite numerous concerns over the design of the path, construction works started on 22 August 2005. However, the design is different to the original Master Plan & different to the Plan passed by Council in February 2004.
Our efforts have achieved several realignments. The path is now less damaging and avoids many of the trees along the railway (Council's arborist originally recommended the removal or lopping of nearly 200 of these trees because of their proximity to the previous path). The path also avoids "highly significant" remnant native grasses and Red Gums of "regional significance". We don't know if Council will mow the native grass or remove any trees.
Council plans currently include a picnic shelter the size of a small house, despite advice from the Consultant to remove it from the Master Plan because "the community does not wish the Parklands to be developed". Extra flooding in Ferrier Crt, & bicycles passing the foot of the slide are still of concern.
We have a hearing at Heritage Victoria on 11 November 2005 that will address heritage issues. The Park is a major example of Ellis Stones' work with significance beyond Banyule.
Our petition (2004), was signed by nearly 1600 people, then maligned and ignored. We believe our ward Councillor has failed to represent his constituents. Council elections are in November.

What do you think about the Park? Please let us know.

· Should you be interested in helping preserve this natural parkland, please complete the attached application form. CLICK HERE

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31 March 2005

Dear Local Resident

Cr.Melican gets it wrong.

In his letter to residents dated 18 March 2005, Cr.Melican writes: VCAT has "now approved the masterplan". He is wrong. VCAT actually wrote: "Our role was not to review the Masterplan....." VCAT simply found that the proposed construction would not conflict with planning regulations.
Cr.Melican writes: residents "will be pleased that I did not succumb....." In fact, Cr.Melican did succumb. He forgets he originally preferred concrete paths (Working Party, 22 Dec 2003). It was community pressure that won gravel paths with reduced length and width.
Cr.Melican writes: "It is disgraceful that party political interests have been put ahead of the interests of Banyule residents". We assume this is not directed at RoPPA as we have no involvement in any party politics.
Cr.Melican writes of "personal attacks instigated by a vocal minority". We assume this is directed at others. Our efforts have focused on technical issues such as the mixture of pedestrians, cyclists and dogs off-lead, cycling speed limits and Australian Standards for walking tracks.

RoPPA gets it right.

We involved and informed the local community:
· We undertook a petition to gauge community opinion (and 1600 people registered their opposition to the Master Plan).
· We surveyed Park use (approx. 500 to 600 people use the Park on an average day).
· We requested flora and fauna surveys and instigated an inspection by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
· We questioned the wisdom of a path under 260 large old trees.
After we submitted an application to VCAT, Council redesigned paths away from nearly 200 trees and around the protected, remnant grasses. VCAT then reviewed the changed design (not the design approved by Council).
However, the Master Plan is still lacking. Heritage conservation, landscaping and planting design are deficient. The future of the wetlands, wildlife corridor, BMX area, pines and other tall trees is unclear. There is no timetable for restoration of the Ferrier Court bridge.
As discussed at our AGM, we will work to formulate our vision for the park.

What do you think about the Park? Please let us know.

· Should you be interested in helping preserve this natural parkland, please complete the attached application form. CLICK HERE

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31 December 2004

Dear Local Resident

Path Coming - Trees Going

1. If you signed the petition in July, if you use Rosanna Parklands, you have been ignored.
2. A 'bicycle' path will soon be constructed in the Park (It was initiated for cycling, located to suit cycling and connects to surrounding cycle routes).
3. Trees will be chopped down or lopped. Gang-gang Cockatoos and other wildlife will lose their habitat.
4. The endangered lily Dianella Amoena has been found in the Park, it is being placed at risk.
5. Council was deceitful. They justified a bicycle path using disabled access and public liability. However, the path is not appropriate for the elderly or disabled largely due to cycling speeds and gradients.
6. Craig Langdon sent a survey to residents - we ask that you complete it in favour of the environment and a natural, unadorned Park.

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In a recent article about cycling in Banyule, Bicycle Victoria states: “ But when the council came under vicious attack for wanting to build a shared path on the River Gum Reserve, Banyule BUG, (Bicycle Users Group) supported by Bicycle Victoria’s Campaigns department, took a firm and sober stance and ensured that reason prevailed.”
The article goes on to say: “ Banyule BUG was fortunate to have a president who was also a local councillor.”

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In a letter to RoPPA, Craig wrote "I believe Council is and has hidden its motives [about Rosanna Parklands] behind claims of disabled access and public liability". He quoted the Minister of Finance: "it will never be possible or desirable to provide access, even for full able visitors, to all areas of public open space".
He also wrote "The Council has assured me time and time again that there are no plans to remove trees". Yet Council plans to commence tree removal for the 'bicycle' path in January.

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Council plan to commence chainsawing in January

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Good NEWS

Indigenous native regrowth is occurring in fenced areas. Dianella Amoena, Chocolate Lily,River Red Gums and wallaby grass have flourished. Dianella Amoena is nationally endangered and very significant. A Tawny Frogmouth and a pair of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos were in the Park over recent days.

Our Hearing at VCAT, to review the Master Plan, is on 1 February 2005.

What do you think about the Park? Please let us know.

· Should you be interested in helping preserve this natural parkland, please complete the attached application form. CLICK HERE

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30 October 2004

Dear Local Resident

NEWS Update.

Our hearing at VCAT (for review of the Masterplan) is scheduled for 1 February 2005. Originally scheduled for 19 October 2004, Council requested a 6-week adjournment for “vegetation studies” and prompted the delay. These studies (and others) should have been completed before the Masterplan was finalised. The VCAT hearing has forced Council to act retrospectively.

Wire Fencing and Tree Removal

Council put the temporary wire fencing in the Park for pedestrian safety. We are asking they replace it with native planting and landscaping (various arborists have suggested this).

RoPPA’s arborist from Melbourne University says: “a path should not be built in the currently proposed location, if we, as a community want to save trees. Removing 7 trees will not make this path safe". Rosanna Parklands deserves a tree management plan based on environmental considerations, not on the wish-list of passing cyclists.

Council's arborist report recommends removal of 97 trees and cutting back 93 more to allow for a path along the railway boundary. Council want to cut down 6 trees before the VCAT hearing, then “address” 183 more trees, “bit-by-bit”. Bicycle Victoria’s representative said on the radio; what is proposed is a faster, through-path on the railway boundary and a pedestrian path in the middle.

The Politics of Bike Paths

In researching bicycle paths in Banyule, the following facts have become evident:

· Bicycle Victoria lobbied the State Government and Banyule Council to hand over parkland for a single purpose - bicycle paths. Communities were not consulted - they were railroaded.

· Council’s consultation asked, “Where will we put the bicycle path?” not “Do you want one?”

· State Government gave $45,000 for traffic lights to be built in Banyule Rd for the benefit of cyclists, but refused lights for Banyule Primary School. The lights link bicycle paths in Creek Bend Reserve and River Gum Walk (these parks, our heritage to future generations, have been vandalised to satisfy a single issue minority).

· State Government pledged $1.0 million for bicycle paths in Banyule during the last election (to buy the bicycle vote?).

· Who is representing our community? Craig Langdon is our MLA but he claims these are local government issues and not his responsibility.

· Our Council seems politically one-sided. Does it represent us or blindly implement party ideology?

· Cr. Melican is a self-proclaimed bicycle path enthusiast and former president of Banyule Bicycle User Group. How did he represent us? He lobbied for an expensive concrete bicycle path constructed through a previously natural Reserve - outside his back gate. He wanted the same for Rosanna Parklands.

What you can do

Come to our AGM on Sunday 7th November at 5:00pm in Rosanna Parklands at the end of Pickworth Court (directly opposite Davies St). Visit our website at www.roppa.org.au. Join RoPPA or donate for legal expenses to RoPPA c/o 23 Von Nida Cres Rosanna 3084.

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9 July 2004

Dear Local Resident

Residents reject Master Plan - 1300 sign petition.

Will Council push on? When does NO mean NO? The debate continues.

Some facts:
• RoPPA presented Council with a petition containing over 1300 signaturesbjecting to the Master Plan. This was the 3rd largest petition in Council history.his petition was signed by pedestrians, dog owners, elderly, footballers, disabledND cyclists (THANKYOU to those who signed).
• 78 people lodged separate objections to the Master Plan.
• Only ONE person wrote in favor of the Master Plan.
• Over 100 people attended a public meeting in the Arden Cres hall (23-6-04)ncluding Craig Langdon MLA and Bill Forwood MLC. Opposition to the Master Planas unanimous.
• ONE councillor, Dean Sherriff, has acknowledged that the people haveaid "No".

The way ahead:
• Delay the construction. Produce a planting plan and enhance the naturalpen space first.
• We are already communicating Melbourne Water, AGL and VicTrack abouthe Park.
• We are seeking advice from Melbourne and LaTrobe Universities about treesnd wildlife.
• Last week there were 2 Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos in the Park, weould like to see more.

What you can do:
• Tell us your views. Visit our web site: www.roppa.org.au
• Lobby your Councillor, write or email Council: enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au.
• Allow us to display notices in your shop - many thanks to those who alreadyo!
#8226; Help us to prepare for VCAT, join RoPPA or donate to our cause.
Membership:
• Subscriptions for 2004/5 are now due. New members welcome. Click Here

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28 May 2004

Dear Local Resident

Council’s $0.5 million Master Plan is fundamentally flawed.

Rosanna Parklands is a popular and much loved park. It is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, BMX / mountain bike riders and dogs-off-lead. In 50 years time, it will be valued for its natural open space, trees, birds and other wildlife.

Few parks in Melbourne are as natural. Many parks have ovals, buildings, fences, car parks, toilet blocks, tennis courts, cricket pitches, bowling greens etc. Rosanna is lucky to have some simple open space. It is one-of-a-kind, and retains the charm of the old farm and golf course that it once was.

However, the Park is threatened by Banyule City Council’s so-called Master Plan. Our Council wants to build about to construct 3.5 kilometres of gravel paths, signs, drains, bins, bollards, tables, taps, seats, bridges, shelters and a BBQ - do we need all these. Putting paths under trees means tress will get lopped, chopped or poisoned and roots will be damaged. Displaced wildlife will die (almost certainly) because of the Master Plan.

According to the Master Plan, the paths will be shared by pedestrians, cyclists and dogs-off-lead. But shared paths create tension. Councils know pedestrians can be elderly or disabled, that cyclists ride fast and that dogs are not always under control. Currently, everyone shares the unmade paths we have, with cyclists riding around pedestrians not speeding passed them.

The Master Plan is flawed and Council has failed to provide evidence to back up its design;
• Council has not counted the thousands of people who use the Park throughout the year or asked what they use it for,
• Council has not done a proper scientific study of the flora and fauna – plants, trees, animals and birds – that live in the park,
• Council does not seem to value the trees that will get chopped down if a path is built underneath them,
• There is no Australian Standard for paths in parks. The Council’s choice of wide, gravel, formal paths is over-engineered and inappropriate.
• Council’s own experts don’t agree on the details of the Master Plan.
• The Councillors were not told about the side-effects such as chopping down trees.
• Council estimated the master plan will cost between $400,000

and $700,000. Do you want your money spent on paving the Park?

Council will soon advertise a planning application for the Master Plan.

You will be invited to submit your objections.

Don’t leave it to others.

Write to Council, newspapers, politicians, ring radio talkback.

Send us a copy. Ring to discuss, comment or join.

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5 April 2004

Dear Local Resident

At Council’s meeting of 16 Feb'04 the Master Plan was approved despite appeals from over 100 residents. The N-S path near the railway is now the official bicycle route between Macleod and Rosanna. Soon:

1. Council will advertise for a planning permit (after Easter?).

2. Council will allocate funds in their budget.

3. Melbourne Water will design "waterway improvement works" consistent with the Master Plan. Community groups will be consulted.

You need to know!

Council has an arborist’s report recommending significant tree culling - out of 259 trees along the railway fence, 97 have been recommended for removal. The report identifies trees that are 'of danger' to the railway line and to park users. Significantly, it identifies trees that will be made dangerous by building a path underneath them. Earthworks will damage and destabilise these trees and the risk of injury will increase by intentionally guiding pedestrians under large eucalypts.

Council says the report was requested by the railways and that timing is coincidental. RoPPA, on the other hand, foresaw the devastation when the Masterplan was released and, in addition to objecting, asked for a flora and fauna survey. In Warringal Park, Council will remove trees for a 3.0 metre wide concrete bike path. Council claims the trees should go because they are weeds, not because of the bike path. The $650,000 for Warringal Park will come from VicRoads.

RoPPA’s position

This Masterplan seems to be about cycling not park management. Had the park been properly managed 97 trees would not need felling, but would have been cared for individually over time. The railway and the trees co-existed with occasional pruning until the bike path was proposed. Removing trees will affect wildlife. It will reduce hollows available for possums, kookaburras, lorikeets, rosellas, cockatoos and possibly sugar gliders, reduce insect and nectar supply for fruit bats, possums, sugar gliders, and birds, reduce nesting sites for ravens, magpies and others.

Keep in mind, over 3000 mature trees are being removed from previous hospital sites in Macleod and Bundoora. Darebin Council proposes to cull 48 large trees along Cherry St. Rosanna Parklands is becoming increasingly important to wildlife preservation.

There are options

Arborists have options to preserve trees. To protect the railway they could cable or brace limbs. For pedestrians they could fence or plant to deter traffic (like Whittlesea Council in Bundoora Park). Where no other solution can be found, severely prune or even to cut the tree to 6 - 10 m height. Council should investigate how to preserve trees with technological and botanical solutions – not destroy them with the chainsaw and chippers.

RoPPA believes

The Rosanna Parklands should remain a natural, safe and informal park. Users should adapt to the Park rather than vice versa, nature does not need to be 'fixed'.

Cyclists - Road Rules are:

A bike rider on a footpath or shared path must give way to any pedestrian.

Give way means slow down and if necessary stop.

Cycling speed limits? - Bayside Leader, 29/3/2004

"Cyclists could soon have to watch their speed if a group wins its fight to introduce speed limits on Bayside's beachfront bike path. A spate of accidents along the shared pedestrian-bike path has prompted a call from cyclists for Bayside Council to impose 20km/h speed limits along the recreational path."

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14 February 2004

Dear Local Resident

BICYCLE SPEED LIMIT

Banyule Council's bid for VicRoads funds to construct a 3.0 metre wide concrete bicycle path in River Gum Walk included a proposed 50 km/h speed limit.

• Full speed ahead for bicycles in the Park?

• 5 km of paths, bins, seats, taps, signs and a shelter are proposed.

• 2500 km of shared paths to be constructed in Melbourne (refer Bicycle Victoria website).

• $0.5 million to be wasted?

•Banyule Councillors will (almost certainly) vote for the Master Plan on Monday night.

• Will mankind defeat nature again?

• You have one last chance to express your opinion.

• Help save the Park, stop the destruction of natural open space.

Note: the manufacture of cement releases large volumes of greenhouse gas. Concrete paths contribute to global warming.

Road Rules - Victoria: The rider of a bicycle on a footpath or shared path must give way to any pedestrian. Give way means slow down and if necessary stop.

Come to the Council meeting at:

7.00 pm

Monday 16 February 2004

Greensborough Senior Citizens Centre,

Road Rules - Victoria: The rider of a bicycle on a footpath or shared path must give way to any pedestrian. Give way means slow down and if necessary stop.

203 Henry Street,

Greensborough

(Melway Ref 21 B 8).

Turn right at Safeway, just before the Greensborough shopping strip.

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9 February 2004

Dear Local Resident

Rosanna Parklands and Macleod Park - Master Plan

Last week the Heidelberg Leader reported the outcome of Working Party meetings on paths in Rosanna Parklands however the article does not truly reflect RoPPA’s view. Throughout these meetings RoPPA expressed the desire for a natural park without formally constructed paths if possible. Council insisted that paths must be constructed for liability and disability reasons and a compromise for about 5km of "Castella Rock" gravel paths 1.2m, 1.8m and 2.5m wide was documented.

RoPPA has now obtained preliminary legal advices which indicate that Council is not compelled by legislation to build paths in the Park, and in addition that Council’s liability will increase with the introduction of paths. We believe the Master Plan is not in accordance with the majority view of residents and that the Working Party process itself restricted our input. If the Master Plan is approved we are concerned that Council will be forced to declare a shared path (prohibiting dogs-off-lead) within 2 years and that gravel paths will be sealed or concreted within 10 years (Council staff prefer concrete).

RoPPA has therefore decided to formally object to the construction of paths, moreover in the event Council pursue the issue and vote in favour of the construction of paths it is RoPPA's intention to apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to have the decision set aside. We base our decision on the following:

1. Council has misstated its public liability position arising from the necessity, legal or otherwise to make alterations to existing paths. Further, Council have not sought proper legal counsel on these issues and is in breach of its duty to make all proper enquiries and make full and frank disclosure of same including but not limited to undertaking a feasibility study.

2. Council has taken into account irrelevant considerations namely its misinterpretation of the Disability Discrimination Act and misstatement of same. In addition, it appears 359 out of 405 "valid" submissions wished to exclude shared paths from the Park. The only pro-bicycle lobbyist appears to be Councillor Melican who appears to be promoting his own personal agenda.

3. Council has failed to follow due process. By way of example, Council officers restricted their questionnaire to options incorporating paths, Council's Option 3 was effectively invalid and the Mayor restricted the brief of the Working Party to discussing paths only thus denying us the opportunity for proper input and negotiations and has refused to take further submissions and consider alternatives.

4. Council has acted ultra vires by changing the purpose of the Parklands namely turning the Parklands into a thoroughfare for cyclists from what is essentially a nature reserve with Heritage overlay.

We believe our actions are appropriate because the natural environs of the Parklands (and River Gum Walk) are fine examples of a precious and diminishing resource. There is an abundance of footpaths and roads for pedestrians and cyclists throughout Rosanna. We believe the money involved (approx. $0.5 million the source of which has not been revealed) could be better spent elsewhere. Bicycle lobby groups should target road and rail authorities for improved facilities, not suburban parks.

We need your support. Come to the Council meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 16 February 2004 at the Greensborough Senior Citizens Centre, 203 Henry Street, Greensborough (Melway Ref 21 B 8).

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18 January 2004

Dear Local Resident

Master Plan

This is an update following:

• the Council meeting of 24 November 2003, where about one hundred residents expressed their disapproval of the Master Plan

• the Council meeting of 8 December 2003, where the Master Plan was deferred until a "further report" is presented in February 2004

• the "Working Party" meetings of 12 and 22 December 2003 (attended by RoPPA).

Results of the Questionnaire:
	Votes
Option 1	23
Option 2	23
Option 3	107
Option 4	87
Option 5/Other	168

Based on the questionnaire, the community prefers either Option 3 (Ellesmere) or Option 4 (see below). Some people didn't receive Options 4 or 5 and made other comments (mostly opposed to paths). Council are not abiding by their own process. They still want to build about 5 kms of paths, in the range 1.8 to 2.5 metres wide, inside Rosanna Parklands. RoPPA wants natural, informal open space, we prefer Option 4.

Option 4 - Undertake maintenance on existing trails to improve access (ie. address tripping hazards and muddy areas). Remove weeds, halt creek erosion, restore billabong, protect and enhance habitat, minimise artificial add-ons.

Council claims that:

• legislation compels them to construct paths for the disabled

• liability forces them to construct paths to avoid tree roots

RoPPA wants the disabled to enjoy nature and open space along with everyone else. We want the Council to smooth, maintain and drain the park so wheelchairs can roam freely. Wheelchair users should be able to picnic, access sunny or shady spots, move freely to playgrounds and use the BBQ, drinking fountain or doggie bins. Wheelchair users can have dogs too! We believe the disabled prefer the Park as-is (but smoother and better drained). There is at least one wheelchair user who regularly enjoys taking her dog across the grass.

Aren't the disabled allowed to experience a natural open space? Is it against the law to have a park without a path? What was that famous Australian story "I Can Jump Puddles" about?

Council has not justified the construction of paths in simple, plain English. I do not have a Council document I can give you, that explains their view. We have pleaded for documents to help us understand why they conclude paths must be built. The Disability Discrimination Act applies to "premises" (mainly buildings) it is not prescriptive, paths are not mandatory. At best, the issue is debatable.

Council should work to retain the natural, unstructured feel of the Park and to improve the all-over accessibility for everyone who enters. They should resist changing what is clearly a successful "formula" and strongly resist wasting $0.5 million on unwanted, artificial paths. Future generations will thank us if we preserve our increasingly rare, natural, open-space areas.

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15 November 2003

Dear Local Resident

Rosanna Parklands and Macleod Park

Background

The Rosanna Parklands Protection Association (RoPPA) was formed about 20 years ago to prevent inappropriate construction in Rosanna Parklands.

Over the years, Government authorities and others have tried to build:

• an electricity sub-station

• a flood retarding dam

• a mobile phone tower

The local community, including RoPPA, objected and to date the natural open space has been preserved.

Over recent weeks Banyule Council displayed a Master Plan with 3 options. Every option includes the construction of up to 7 kilometres of bitumen or granitic pathways up to 2.5 metres wide. This could cost well in excess of $0.5 million. Money better spent on maintenance or other Council services.

Council intend to vote on 8 December 2003. Once adopted, Master Plans are very difficult to change. Effectively, there will be no second chance.

Vision

RoPPA's aim is to retain and enhance the existing natural open space. We dislike artificial and contrived constructions. We believe that "shared paths" promote conflict between pedestrians and cyclists (Melbourne City Council continues to "prohibit cycling in gardens to maintain their passive recreational use").

Picture a group of young mothers with prams, toddlers and dogs having a stroll and a chat. Consider the middle aged and elderly having their daily walk. If you add commuter cyclists, an element of stress and potential for collision is introduced. If a cyclist collides with your dog, you may be liable.

We encourage local schools to engage in outdoor programs such as tree-planting and "water watch" (Rosanna Primary, Golf Links Primary and Concord schools have participated). We accept that children need playgrounds and that the frail and disabled need access. We don't want a transport corridor in a passive recreation area.

Our vision is a natural, safe, informal park with a relaxed & care-free character.

We would like to see maintenance on existing trails to improve access (ie. address tripping hazards and muddy areas). We would like to remove weeds, halt creek erosion, restore the billabong, protect and enhance habitat and minimise artificial add-ons. We have had working bees in the past and will do so again.

Politics

Rivergum Walk was passed 6 to 1 against residents' wishes. Councillors will pass this Master Plan unless we object. Why wasn't the recent questionnaire circulated to residents? Where are the other options? If you ticked 1, 2 or 3, on the questionnaire, any comments you added may be ignored.

Please write (yes again) to Banyule's CEO at PO Box 51, Ivanhoe 3079.

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4 November 2003

Dear Local Resident

Working Bee

A working bee will be held in the Park on Saturday 8th November 2003 at 10.00am, meet at the BBQ in Thomson Dve. The Council "Bush Crew" will provide guidance, some equipment and morning tea. Weeds and litter will be the main focus (planting to be done in Autumn). The new "Friends" group are organising, all are welcome.

Friends Group

A new "Friends of the Park" group has been formed. The Friends Group is keen to eradicate weeds and plant more trees. RoPPA aims to prevent inappropriate constructions such as the wide bitumen paths, flood retarding dams, mobile phone towers and electricity sub-stations that have been suggested over recent years.

Master Plan

Banyule Council is displaying 3 alternative options for a Park Masterplan in their Turnham Av. offices from Monday 3rd to Friday 14th November. They have also prepared a questionnaire. An information evening will be held in the new netball stadium in Somers Av. between 6.00pm and 8.00pm on Thursday 13th November.

Once approved, Master Plans are very difficult to change. Effectively, there will be no second chance.

Paths

All options involve the construction of 1.5 to 2.5 metre wide granitic sand or bitumen paths. Up to 50 large trucks will need to drive through the Park to deliver nearly 1000 tonnes of granitic sand. New paths will not solve water-logged areas. Blocked and overflowing drains in the streets and along the railway cause the muddy conditions.

Potentially, the result will be:

• Shared pathways that promote conflict between cyclists, walkers and dogs (the Melbourne City Council continues to "prohibit cycling in gardens to maintain their passive recreational use").

• Pathways with muddy puddles and erosion gullies (the biggest puddle in the park recently was in the middle of the existing granitic sand pathway near Lower Plenty Rd.)

• Barbeques that encourage alcohol, littering and urinating in the creek.

• A fake and sanitized Park environment. Granitic sand, along with basalt boulders and arsenic impregnated (treated pine) logs are just fashions in landscaping. A purely natural landscape would be preferable.

Preference

The existing natural, rural and informal character of the Park should not be changed. Similarly, the existing compacted earth (bushland style) paths should be retained and maintained. Drainage in surrounding streets and railway should be improved and/or maintained to prevent boggy paths (overflows and blockages cause most of the current problems). Council resources should focus on weed eradication, creek erosion and the preservation or enhancement of wildlife habitat. A detailed Management Plan should be developed.

The RoPPA committee are listed below. Please call to discuss:

Lyn Alexander	130 Mountainview Pde	9459 2170
Cassandra Kemp		9455 3017
Greg Cain	31 Crampton Cres	9459 6724
Sue McKinnon	102 Mountainview Pde	9459 9970
Doug Franklin	11 Crampton Cres	9457 2883
Jo Monigatti	119 Waiora Rd.	9457 5314

Have your say, write a letter to the Council or fill in the questionnaire.

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1 November 2003

Dear Local Resident

NEWS

Banyule Council will display 3 alternative options for a Park Masterplan in their Turnham Av. offices from Monday 3rd to Friday 14th November. An information evening will be held in the new netball stadium in Somers Av. between 6.00pm and 8.00pm on Thursday 13th November.

Once approved, Master Plans are very difficult to change. Effectively, there will be no second chance.

All options contain footpath construction. There is no choice about wide and possibly sealed paths. Up to 50 large trucks will need to drive through the park to deliver nearly 1000 tonnes of granitic sand. Excavators will remove similar amounts of soil to prepare foundations. If it rains the Park will be a quagmire, if it is dry the Park will be a dust bowl. After construction imported soil and non-native grass seed will probably be used for "restoration".

None of the options seem environmentally focused. It will be an accident if the native grass (on which the Rosella's feed) is unaffected. Weeds, erosion, planting, birds, frogs, water quality etc. are more important than paths.

Potentially, the result will be:

• Shared pathways that promote conflict between cyclists, walkers and dogs (the Melbourne City Council continues to "prohibit cycling in gardens to maintain their passive recreational use").

• Pathways with puddles and erosion gullies (the biggest puddle in the park recently was in the middle of the existing granitic sand pathway near Lower Plenty Rd.)

• Barbeques that encourage alcohol, littering and urinating in the creek.

• A "fake" and sanitized Park environment. Granitic sand, along with basalt boulders and arsenic impregnated (treated pine) logs are just fashions in landscaping. A purely natural landscape would be preferable.

We would like the opportunity to have an effective say in the future of the Park. We believe Council should more seriously seek the views of Park users and residents. The 3 questions asked in the November 2002 questionnaire were inadequate (The questions were: What do you like about the masterplan? Are there any additional features you would like included on the masterplan? Are there any other issues you would like considered?) It seems that Council has not:

• attempted to count or categorise Park users

• surveyed Park users about their activities

• surveyed residents about their interests

• invited relevant organisations to participate

• mapped sensitive flora/fauna in detail

Annual General Meeting 26 October 2003

A new committee was elected at the AGM held in the park on 26 October 2003. New committee members are:

Lyn Alexander	9459 2170
Cassandra Kemp	9455 3017
Greg Cain	9459 6724
Sue McKinnon	9459 9970
Doug Franklin	9457 2883
Jo Monigatti	9457 5314

To be continued .....

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On behalf of RoPPA
Ph. 9457 2883

Doug Franklin, Hon. Pres.
Email comments to: doug.franklin@roppa.org.au

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