Radical plans by the Mitchell Shire Council to remove native vegetation could expose properties and residents along the Northern Highway in Wallan to more property invasions and land degradation, residents fear.
Residents whose homes back onto the area have grave concerns around privacy, noise pollution, potential criminal activity, and erosion. They want Council to consider the impacts a concrete path will have on their lifestyles.
Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) heard from the residents at their Community Questions and Hearings Committee.
The planning permit to remove 132 trees along 1.5 hectares of the Northern Highway in Wallan is connected to an earlier permit for planning and design works for a proposed path, approximately, 770 metres in length and 2.5 metres wide along western side the Northern Highway.
One resident, Luke De Jagger, wants council to carefully reconsider the water drainage impact from an engineering perspective.
“The design engineer for the footpath attended our property a few years ago to have that conversation [water drainage]. At that time, I was out there in my wellington boots and the water was up around mid my shin level. This concern has been raised a few times with engineers, and they have continued to not really address this issue,” he said.
“From my point of view, the way that the path is currently designed does not make sense. It is going between a property and an existing drainage site.
“Any removal of vegetation is going to lead to erosion on the side of the road and ongoing works for Council.”
Resident Paul Cosaitis has purchased and planted Melaleuca’s for privacy and to deter intruders across 27 years.
“It was supposed to be a tree reserve (at the back of our property),” he said.
“There was never any mention of a footpath going through there or I certainly would not have brought that block. It is not something I want. It is an invasion of my privacy and my safety. We have a 24-hour police station in Wallan now, the amount of crime in Wallan is disgusting and it is only going to get worse.
“When I first moved in there someone actually cut the fence and stole a boat from my backyard, and I can see that happening again.
“Apparently, this [path] was stated to be the missing link in Wallan, well there is a lot more than that one. There’s Nemoya Court, Cahill Court, and Stewart Drive. People have to walk on the road to get to shops and to school,” he said.
“I can’t understand why anyone would want to put a path beside a highway anywhere.”
Property developer, Daniel Spiteri is in favour of the proposed path’s development.
“I think it’s the logical connection to Wellington Street from within the Estate,” he said.
“I am willing to give my consent to the development of the path. I often see people walking on the Northern Highway, it is dangerous.”
