Concerns over creek carnage

MEMBERS of Ross Creek Landcare Group have expressed their frustrations over recent acts of vandalism at the town’s nature reserve and creek.

The site was first damaged around early March when perpetrators tore out recently planted vegetation to make a bike track and a mound to jump from one side of the creek to the other.

“The jump was about my waist high and held with steel star posts,” said treasurer Barry Charleson.

“The dam bank was dug away to create the ramp. On the other side, they were starting to build the ramps and obviously had a landing spot set up.

“There were actually steel posts sticking out of the ground. If they’d managed to get over, it could have been a bit dangerous.

“The creek was full of rubbish that they’d dumped there too.”

Following the initial act, Golden Plains Shire staff were informed of the vandalism who undertook remediation works, took out the posts, and installed signage at the site banning the use of bikes in the area.

The site was vandalised once again about three weeks ago, during which the sign and additional plants were removed while some posts and a wheelbarrow were both stolen.

“It’s the damage to the actual creek itself that’s upsetting,” Mr Charleson said.

The reserve’s creek is part of the Little Creeks Do Matter initiative established two years ago which focuses on smaller waterways in the Goldfields region and surrounds.

“Taking out that part of the dam bank like they have is a bit of a disaster because you can see how it was vegetated before,” Mr Charleson said.

“Now that’s gone and we don’t know how we’ll replant it yet.

The local Landcare group has been active in the region since 2000 and is estimated to have planted upwards of 3000 plants, trees, and shrubs, at the reserve.

Secretary, David Neate, said the group has worked with the community for a long period of time to cultivate the site.

“When you look across this area, apart from the trees you see in the distance, pretty well everything you see has been planted,” he said.

“Under our auspice, a heck of a lot has been planted by students at Woady Yaloak Primary School, Damascus College, and Loreto College.

“The other thing that’s not understood is since we’ve revegetated, a lot of bird life has been restored. You can hear it.

“If you have humans making a lot of noise, it’s basically going to wreck the environment for those birds.

“There’s been a lot of work put into this place.”

Mr Charleson said he’d like to see more preventative measures put in place.

“The Shire’s looking into it again,” he said. “Other than that, there’s not much we can do. I’ve made the suggestion for cameras but whether it can come to that, I don’t know.”

A spokesperson for the municipality said they’ll be undertaking further remediation efforts at the site.

“Council officers have worked to dismantle an unauthorised BMX track, amid concerns about community safety and environmental damage in Ross Creek Nature Reserve,” they said.

“Council has worked to level the track as much as possible and remove logs from the creek without the use of heavy machinery. Signage has been placed in the reserve indicating that the construction of bike tracks and jumps are not permitted.

“However, the vandalism is extensive and further work is required to remediate the site.

“There have been serious incidents of people injuring themselves on such makeshift tracks in Victorian council areas, with councils liable for such personal injuries. So unauthorised bike tracks and jumps are removed once we become aware of them.”