WALLINGTON resident Heidi Wane says time has nearly run out to stop two man-made lakes at TLC Homestead Lakes Aged Care facility in Wallington from being filled in.<\/p>\n
Ms Wane, who has been leading the campaign for the past six months, said an on-site discussion had revealed the lakes would be destroyed in August.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two large bodies of water at TLC Aged Care facility in Wallington will definitely be destroyed in August despite pleas from locals to consider options,\u201d Ms Wane said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth lakes will be drained and filled in using accumulated onsite dirt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Wane said many locals felt this was another example of excessive development on the Bellarine, which was devastating birds and wildlife as well as negatively contributing to climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201cAttempts to ascertain whether TLC Aged Care intends to rescue and rehouse wildlife humanely have not been successful,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Wane said she \u201cverbally confirmed\u201d with construction company Ireland Brown Constructions earlier this year that the lakes would be filled in as part of the home\u2019s $24 million extension.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the aged care extensions, the changed waste management systems mean these two large bodies of water are now deemed obsolete (the water is considered dirty) and will be drained and filled in during August,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis aged care facility although on private land, is situated beside a major highway making it a very public site that is visited daily by many members of the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cTLC’s move to destroy the bodies of water, evicting birds from their home of nearly 20 years, endangering and possibly suffocating turtles and frogs and wildlife is seen by the public as horrific.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Wane said available environmentally friendly options of directing nearby roof runoff into the water bodies was ideal \u2013 this would flush and clean the waters \u2013 along with enhancement with pool safety fencing and landscaping.<\/p>\n
She said developments with bodies of water have historically been considered extremely desirable and would continue to be a showcase for TLC.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf parking space is needed, there is a decaying obsolete cafe onsite (The Purple Duck), which could be utilised rather than bulldozing a live environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the past six months, two on-site protests have drawn around 40 attendees, while an online petition has almost 1,500 signatures (chng.it\/yKF8mN79dm).<\/p>\n
TLC has also been contacted by Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville, The Animal Justice Party\u2019s Andy Meddick, Jon Faine\u2019s radio program, and community members, including aged care residents and carers, have written and posted letters, sent emails and made phone calls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WALLINGTON resident Heidi Wane says time has nearly run out to stop two man-made lakes at TLC Homestead Lakes Aged Care facility in Wallington from being filled in. Ms Wane, who has been leading the campaign for the past six months, said an on-site discussion had revealed the lakes would be destroyed in August. \u201cThe […]<\/p>\n