Cows cause a stink

By Rebecca Fraser
A NEW footpath linking Narre Warren and Hallam has created a stink, with cow pats turning away local walkers.
Residents had been calling for the path to be built linking Buckeye Drive between Hinrichsen Drive and Springfield Drive since 2001.
The path was finally opened last week much to the delight of nearby business owners and residents who could finally walk between the two estates.
However, manure from cows agisted on nearby land has made its way onto the new path, with residents having to navigate their way around the mounds.
The unsightly pats have disappointed some locals who had been waiting for the new link for some five years.
Last week, former owner of Hallam milk bar Joe’s Mini Mart, Joe Khoury said the long awaited path would bring the community closer together and help boost local business.
The milk bar is now owned by Mr Khoury’s daughter Sue and her husband Ziad Elcheick, who were also excited about the new path and hoped it would attract more customers.
Mrs Elcheick contacted the News this week after many customers mentioned the build up of manure and dirt on the path.
She said some customers said they could not walk on the path because of the manure and she hoped Casey Council would soon clean up the mess.
Alex Micheli, Casey manager works and operations, said the path ran through land owned by Melbourne Water, which had leased the site to a person with cattle.
He said the cows were usually fenced off from the path but when the person leasing the land decided to move them to another paddock manure and dirt from their hoofs got onto the path.
Mr Micheli said council was trying to get hold of the cow owner to try and determine what time he would be moving the cows and if he could arrange to remove their excrement from the path.
Otherwise, Mr Micheli said council would arrange to have the manure cleaned up.
“We just need to get the coordination right.
“With winter and the rain I am sure a lot of the manure will wash away,” he said.