By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Authorities dig their heels as residents ramp up protest…
A residents’ campaign to protect the premium Berwick Springs gateway from a proposed roundabout has hit a fatal roadblock, according to Casey mayor Sam Aziz.
Cr Aziz, who has been at bitter odds with estate residents over Casey Council’s role, said he was disappointed that VicRoads and Melbourne Water had formally advised the roundabout’s position must remain in the same site.
It means the estate’s landscaped bluestone-wall gateway would make way for the enlarged intersection at the corner of Greaves Road and Berwick Springs Promenade.
“It’s disappointing that this is the outcome,” Cr Aziz said.
“But what the residents should have been doing was lobbying the state members of the government to discuss it with their agencies.
“They’ve made Casey look like the villain and run a bitter personal campaign against me when we aren’t the authority on the issue.
“We have to comply with what the agencies tell us.”
For weeks, residents have vigorously lobbied for the proposed roundabout to be shifted north upon land owned by developer Moremac Property Group’s land and the Hallam Valley Contour Drain.
On 6 February, about 400 residents formed a human chain on the promenade and have collected 1200 signatures against Moremac’s planned roundabout.
Resident organiser Michael Ball said Casey needed to work “more proactively and positively” with VicRoads and Melbourne Water.
“They need to be leading the conversation but they’re wiping their hands of it.
“And they’re shifting the blame on to the agencies and residents.”
Cr Aziz stated that VicRoads had advised “they’re not prepared to budge on it” due to engineering requirements.
Melbourne Water had meanwhile allegedly confirmed the nationally-protected dwarf galaxias fish’s presence in the drain – despite residents presenting a Commonwealth report stating the fish was probably locally extinct.
Meanwhile, Cr Aziz said the residents’ campaign had wasted time targeting the “wrong level of government”.
“I feel very, very sorry for the residents but they’ve been led by a guy right from the start who didn’t know what he was doing.
“They’ve created all this publicity that hasn’t resulted in the outcome they wanted.”
He said the Berwick Springs gateway would be restored to its current glory including the planting of replacement trees and the restoration of the bluestone wall with new boardwalks and a footbridge.
