Back track- Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, with resident Don Mortimer, wants the tracks opened at Lysterfield Park. 69225

By Lia Bichel
ACTIVE residents are unable to use several trails at Lysterfield Park after they were extensively damaged due to the February floods.
In April, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan called on the State Government to re-open bike trails at Lysterfield Park after Parks Victoria closed all walking, equestrian and mountain bike tracks and trails – including all fire management roads in Lysterfield Park- due to heavy rain and extreme weather conditions in February.
“The closure of all walking, equestrian and mountain bike tracks and trails in Lysterfield Park was described as temporary after heavy rains in February,” Mr Donnellan said.
“It is estimated that 144,000 riders use the tracks at Lysterfield Lake Park regularly – they and the local community are missing out on these facilities for far longer than expected as a temporary closure.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the damage to the tracks at Lysterfield Park was extensive, but progress has been made and the next stage of works at Lysterfield Park will begin soon.
“With eight flood events in the past 12 months, it has taken time for Parks Victoria to simultaneously assess and respond to a number of needy parks across the state,” Mr Battin said. “The scale of the of the damage at Lysterfield Park was extensive. In many cases the tracks were literally washed away, while other tracks became mini creeks with knee-deep crevices. “Parks Victoria has already made good progress on the 20 tracks it was appointed to repair in August, and the next stage of works will commence soon.”