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There is no doubt that urgent attention is required in relation
to the appalling and dangerous condition of many sections
of the Yea Recreation Reserve perimeter fence.
Is someone going to have to be seriously
injured or killed by a flying sheet of tin before something
is done about the fence?
Large sections of the fence collapsed and
sheets were blown off the fence during last years wind storm
mainly in the Marshbank St and Recreation Avenue sections.
As there are few houses in these streets, the organisations
responsible may think that it is a low risk area and who gives
a damn what it looks like, but an increasing amount of walkers,
joggers and bike riders are using Marshbank and Craigie Streets.
As well, the residents who live near the fence in these streets
feel as though they are living opposite a junk yard instead
of a recreation reserve. To top it off, the fence really comes
into its own on event days, as it is used as a urinal because
of the distance that side of the ground is from the toilets.
A day or so before the first seniors football
match this season the fence was patched up to stop people
entering illegally. With only one home match played at the
time of writing, there are now more than half a dozen places
in the gal fence that have been pulled open. So the current
fence is doing nothing to stop those who wish to sneak in
and the sharp edges of the gal increase the risk of injury.
So who is responsible for the fence? I have
been informed that the Rec is actually owned by the Commonwealth
Govt. under the control of the Department of Sustainability
and Environment (DSE). The Murrindindi Shire Council
has a locally elected Committee of Management with representation
from all the main user groups of the Rec Reserve. Applying
for a grant application for something like the fence is normally
carried out by the local Committee of Management. I believe
that the committee has applied for grants to replace the fence
in the past but has been unsuccessful.
I am told that the Committee of Management
sees the fence issue as a high priority and is once again
applying for a grant to replace the gal fence with a mesh
(cyclone) fence for the entire perimeter. The cost of the
new fence has been estimated at around $30,000. But what happens,
if as in the past, the grant application once again fails?
We will then be left with the current mess for another 2 or
3 years.
So what about a low cost alternative, should
the upcoming grant application fail? One that would require
far less funds and solve the problem until the committee is
successful in their attempts to raise the required capital.
The areas that were blown down during last
years storm, particularly in Marshbank Street have been replaced
by large square mesh and droppers, which is a far safer option
than the existing fence and because of its lightness is difficult
to scale. The new section of mesh and droppers that was erected
last year is in the same condition as it was when it was erected,
which would indicate that the fence would last for some considerable
time. So why not improve the safety and appeal of the area
by pulling down the gal sections and replace the fence that
fronts Recreation Avenue and Craigie/Marshank Streets with
mesh and droppers. The cost of the replacement fence would
be insignificant in comparison to a mesh(cyclone) fence around
the entire perimeter.
I am informed that one of the reasons that
the Committee of Management wishes to replace the gal fence
with a see-through type of structure is in the hope that it
will reduce vandalism at the Rec by the fact the it would
no longer be visually closed off from the surrounding streets.
The cheaper fence would also provide a see-through environment.
So if the gal fence were replaced the only
other section that would desperately need attention is the
Main Entrance. How long has it been in this condition? The
original entrance closed off with a worn out sign above it
and a driveway with an ugly shed next to it as the entrance.
I'm sure it really impresses our visitors who come to the
the reserve. In addition, pedestrians and cars enter through
the same gate, not the safest situation. How difficult or
expensive is it to have the sign repainted and the old entrance
upgraded.
Many hard working people offer much of their
time at no cost to work on the Rec and and do their best with
limited funds. I think that a far greater and more sustained
effort from the Council in assisting the Committee of Management
to gain the required funding for the fence and main entrance
is required. If funds are not forthcoming the Council should
undertake the low cost fencing alternative and carry out the
work themselves with a deal of urgency before someone is badly
injured or killed.
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