By Mitchell Clarke
There is confusion as to which authority is responsible for maintaining a popular Berwick path.
The Hallam Bypass trail, which runs parallel to the Monash Freeway between Berwick and Doveton, is often used by pedestrians and walkers alike.
One local, who uses the path at least five times a week, said the site was overgrown and often used as a dumping ground.
He claims he’s been calling on both the Department of Transport (DoT) and City of Casey to tidy up the area for a year and a half.
“It’s in desperate need of a mow, and both have said they’ll follow it up and haven’t,” he said.
When questioned by Star News, both authorities shifted blame on to one another.
The Department of Transport said recent discussions between the organisations had determined that the council was responsible for the area.
But Casey Council’s city presentation manager David Richardson said the path/trail that runs along the freeway bypass from Berwick to Hallam is in fact the responsibility of VicRoads and it is not maintained by council.
The council only maintains a small easement near Yandilla Court, which leads to the freeway path, the council said.
A DoT spokesperson said the site was often inspected by crews, despite them not being the “responsible authority”.
“We carry out regular inspections of the site and in the past twelve months we’ve removed rubbish on seven occasions from the road reserve,” the spokesperson said.
The last record of illegal dumping was in May 2020. According to the Department, the rubbish was removed within two weeks.
Illegal dumping should be reported to the EPA on 1300 372 842.
