MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is seeking community input on the three options it has put forward for repairing The Briars’ section of the Balcombe Creek boardwalk. “This popular trail is a beautiful walk that meanders through the natural bushland and creek from Mount Martha beach to The Briars, and connects with the Wildlife Sanctuary and Harrap Creek walking trails,” said a statement from the shire.
“Unfortunately, back in November 2022 the boardwalk was severely damaged in a storm. The extreme weather event brought on a flood that destroyed and relocated the boardwalk in some areas. Since the flooding, this section of the boardwalk within The Briars has been closed to the public.
“Given the complexity of the site, we engaged experts to do a thorough evaluation on a boardwalk replacement. With the environmental and cultural heritage sensitivities of the area, plus the need to ensure future infrastructure can withstand extreme weather, the experts have recommended three options for rebuilding the path. The options are at different price points and with varying impacts on flora and fauna and cultural heritage areas. “The estimated costs are based on features and associated works (e.g. vegetation removal). At this stage, we will not disclose cost estimates to ensure a competitive tender process and fair pricing for community assets.” The three options put forward including replacing the boardwalk “like-for-like”, option two would see it replaced partially “like-for-like”, and the third option would see a new pathway outside the creek area.
The shire state the first option, replacing “like-for-like” would be the most costly of the three options. As a path that can “withstand future storms and extreme weather, the new infrastructure will need to be flood-proof, which means that more significant footings than what was in place previously are required”. The shire states this approach would result in “notable vegetation removal” and there would “likely be considerable loss of swamp paperbarks and other trees such as wattles and remnant eucalyptus trees that are growing very close to the existing boardwalk”.
The second option mooted by the shire would deliver a boardwalk that is partially in the original location and partially running along the tree line between the creek and The Briars’ entry road. “This balances the wish to give our community the original walking trail back but has fewer environmental, cultural heritage and financial impacts,” said the shire. Much of this path, being outside the flood zone, wouldn’t require “flood-proof engineering” and would be cheaper and have less environmental impact than the first option, according to the shire. “However, there would still be a significant impact on the vegetation near the creek where the boardwalk would be reconstructed in the original location.”
The final option would be the establishment of a new pathway outside the creek area, running alongside The Briars’ entry road. According to the shire, this would be the cheapest option, and have the least impact on “the natural environment and cultural heritage”.
Along with the shire’s community consultation process, consultation will be carried out with Melbourne Water to determine whether a flora and fauna study will need to be undertaken. Further consultation will be carried out with the Bunurong Land Council to determine if a cultural heritage management plan will be required.
“The Balcombe Creek Boardwalk is a much-loved feature of our Mount Martha community, offering stunning natural views and vital connections to other walking trails. We’re committed to rebuilding it and encourage everyone to share their feedback on the proposed options,” said shire mayor, Cr Anthony Marsh.
Community consultation is currently open and closes 12 January. The survey can be completed at: mornpen.vic.gov.au/briarsboardwalk.
Hard copy feedback forms are available from the shire’s customer service centres in Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 December 2024
