SEBASTOPOL\u2019S M.R. Power Park might be known for its iconic mullock heap, or the fast-paced action of its dog park, but many residents may not be aware of its winding wetlands.<\/p>\n
For two years, nine-year-old Esther Cutts has enjoyed visiting the reserve – her local – climbing the play equipment and the mullock heap, and listening to the resident frogs in the wet area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like coming here just to have some fun with my friends,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But the Newington Primary School student doesn\u2019t like every element of M.R. Power Park.<\/p>\n
She loves the potential of the \u201csupposed wetlands,\u201d which wind 400 metres from Crown Street over to a small lake area beside Morgan Street, although the ecosystem is in poor condition, full of gorse, and litter, which constantly flows out of a large adjacent drain.<\/p>\n
Esther, her friends, and family have worked to clean up the wetlands and sweep it of a \u201csurprising amount\u201d of junk, but rubbish quickly returns, and catches in locations people cannot safely access.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wetland is a big space. It\u2019s planned for an upgrade, but how long that\u2019s going to take, I don\u2019t know,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
At a recent City of Ballarat council meeting, Esther approached councillors during public question time, offering her concerns about the green space, and providing a solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cA rubbish guard needs to be put right at the front of the wetlands, at the opening of the drain, because then the rubbish won\u2019t go into the wetland, and it would be a much better place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drain is a big, gaping hole which connects to a lot of other drains, so when it rains, the water flushes all this new dirty water and rubbish into the wetland.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also proposed for them to put in some native plants and trees, like gums and bottle brushes. Then it will be a nice place for people to visit, and native animals like frogs, other water creatures and water birds will be able to live and breed there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Esther and her parents were impressed by the friendly and respectful way in which City councillors received her proposal, which included hard-copy photographs of the site.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney immediately asked the municipality\u2019s infrastructure and environment director Bridget Wetherall what could be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had our parks team go out and inspect that site, and they\u2019ll continue to monitor and manage the site for rubbish,\u201d Ms Weatherall said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeking to install a litter trap and replant some native vegetation. This will help attract more plants and animals, so hopefully [Esther\u2019s] family, and the public, can enjoy it for a long time to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Moloney produced a follow-up question about the speed at which action might be taken. Ms Weatherall took this query on notice, but emphasised improvement would be implemented \u201cas soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Esther hopes other young children and teenagers will take ownership over their local parks and nature reserves, giving the flora and fauna a voice, and some protection for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like other people to take action on an area that\u2019s close to their heart, and close to them, because if the world\u2019s next generation cleans up, they\u2019ll teach that to their kids, and the world will be a better place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SEBASTOPOL\u2019S M.R. Power Park might be known for its iconic mullock heap, or the fast-paced action of its dog park, but many residents may not be aware of its winding wetlands. For two years, nine-year-old Esther Cutts has enjoyed visiting the reserve – her local – climbing the play equipment and the mullock heap, and […]<\/p>\n