Damaged foreshore to be restored

Bass Coast Shire Council is undertaking works to rehabilitate a deliberately damaged section of the Cape Woolamai foreshore.

Recent unauthorised activity, including the creation of BMX and motorbike tracks, has resulted in extensive damage to native vegetation and has increased the risk of erosion.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said that, “Council does not tolerate deliberate damage to precious foreshore reserves, so we will be removing the tracks and rehabilitating the site.”

“There has also been considerable community outrage at the damage that has occurred.”

If anyone sees motorbikes being ridden in the foreshore reserve, they are encouraged to notify the police.

“Our officers will be monitoring the site for further activity, and taking all necessary action to prevent this from happening again,” Cr Whelan said.

“We will also be installing signage, fencing and other measures to underscore the importance of our conservation reserves.

“These public reserves belong to everyone. They provide essential habitat for local wildlife, and play a vital role in protecting our coastlines, homes and community assets from storms and erosion. Destruction of these values by a few people for their own entertainment is unacceptable.”

Council is currently developing a Tracks and Trails Strategy that will provide strategic direction for a network of tracks and trails across the Shire, which will include bicycle tracks and BMX areas.

“We expect that the draft Tracks and Trails Strategy will be released for community consultation by the end of this year,” Cr Whelan said.

A community engagement period will give everyone the opportunity to review the draft Strategy and provide their feedback and comments.

“We all want to see people getting active and enjoying our beautiful outdoors in Bass Coast, and we’ve got plenty of room for bike tracks. Our precious conservation reserves are not the place for that sort of activity,” Cr Whelan concluded.