THE building of a controversial path and bridge at Eprapah Creek will likely cause environmental damage for years to come and cost ratepayers millions, says Cr Paul Golle.
Cr Golle organised a meeting at the site this week between council officers, councillors and residents to try to determine how the project can be handled with the least environmental impact.
The $1.3 million track and bridge are to allow access from the Villa World Affinity development on Boundary Road to Victoria Point shops on Bunker Road.
Access is already provided via Boundary Road but the proposed track would give a short cut, which may encourage more residents to walk or cycle.
The proposal is opposed by residents and conservationists due to impacts on the creek and vegetation and because of fears that it would encourage unsocial activities which already are an issue in the area.
Cr Golle said that so far there were no firm plans from council engineers, planners or environment officers about how best to handle the contentious project.
“The developer estimates that this project will blow out by the millions and ratepayers will end up footing the bill,” he said.
“Villa World is doing the right thing and they are happy to pay their $1.3 million contribution to council.”
Cr Golle said he accepted that the proposal was part of the development’s original planning.
But as the impractical nature of the project became clearer, it had become obvious it should be abandoned and the developer contribution spent on a nearby and more worthwhile project.
Cr Golle said Villa World rightfully did not want to be blamed for ratepayers being hit with major construction costs, ongoing maintenance or if the low-lying project was later damaged by flooding.
He said it was unclear if the project would receive state government approval because of substantial excavation needed and subsequent impacts on the creek’s riparian zone.
Eprapah Creek Catchment Landcare Association president Lynn Roberts said a second site for the bridge had been proposed.
This meant damage to irreplaceable vegetation at the first site had been replaced with threats to creek bank stability.
“The new area is at a high section of bank which would have to be bulldozed down to allow machinery in to pile-drive bridge supports and then be on a level for a path,” she said.
“Removal of this bank including the vegetation would cause catastrophic erosion in these vulnerable dispersive soils.”
Ms Roberts said the developers contribution could be spent on upgrading and beautifying the existing path.
Cr Golle said he had tried to get the project changed but was supported in council only by Crs Lance Hewlett and Wendy Boglary.
“This is going to be an environmental nightmare if it goes ahead, not to mention costs to ratepayers,” he said.
