Borough urged to act now on the environment

LONG-term Point Lonsdale resident Ian Zierk says it was the “hypocrisy” of the Borough of Queenscliffe council he finds “frustrating” and their inaction when it comes to the environment.
Mr Zierk said the council’s commitment to a long-term Climate Action Plan fails to address environmental damage happening across the Burough now, including makeshift bike tracks and jumps adjacent to the Rip View carpark and Point Lonsdale’s Bunny Woods.
“I get annoyed the council want to spruik their green credentials but they let this happen. They have foreshore staff that are supposed to be managing the foreshore.
“There were tracks here up to two years ago and in the last six months it’s really been damaged and it’s not the only spot. People are hacking into the trees to clear the path and make jumps.”
Mr Zierk said he’s not opposed to spending money on climate action, but is flabbergasted the council would allocate money to look into emissions from domestic and private sources, before they would protect the woodlands.
“They can’t even look after what they’ve got and they want to spend money on something else. It’s the hypocrisy of council spending big money on climate change and building up their green credentials, while letting this area go to rack
and ruin.”
In response to Mr Zierk’s claims, a spokesperson the Borough of Queenscliffe council said they had taken action.
“Council first learned of the existence of the tracks last week and immediately undertook an inspection to examine the extent of the damage to vegetation.
“The site has been closed to public access while council develops a plan to protect and restore the site.”
But some tape strewn across the shrubbery is not an adequate response, according to Mr Zierk; “proper signage and blocking off the tracks” is what’s required.
“The riders have just rode through it. I have a letter written to me dating back two years ago from council addressing my concerns about the tracks and the damage to this area.
“Instead of making grand plans with few results, catering to interest groups and full page advertisements promoting their green future credentials, council could perhaps act now on existing environmental problems.”