MOUNT Martha Rotary Club is spearheading a renewed effort to restore a vital section of the Balcombe Creek Estuary boardwalk after it was partly closed two years ago. Part of the boardwalk, near Nepean Hwy and Uralla Rd in Mt Martha, was significantly damaged after an intense storm hit the peninsula in November 2022, causing Balcombe Creek to flood. This caused the wooden boardwalk’s structure to collapse and break, making it unsafe for public use. The boardwalk, which has a network of walking trails spanning 3.5km through the scenic estuary, was built by the Mount Martha Rotary Club in the 1990s, with the Mornington Peninsula Shire being the responsible authority for managing it.
Rotary president Anne Shaw said the boardwalk was a valuable community space and called for it to be repaired to its former condition as a matter of priority. “The community has to be empowered again to be able to help with these kinds of projects, whether it be the Rotary Club or local builders,” she said. “It’s time to get rid of some of the stupid red tape that exists at the moment. The boardwalk is a seriously important thing to people in Mt Martha.”
The shire confirmed with The News that it had proposed three options to fix the boardwalk. The first option would be a “replacement like-for-like” in its current location, but for it to be flood-proof, it would mean installing “significant footings” larger than what was in place previously, and “notable vegetation removal”. A second proposal see a “partial like-for-like” delivering a boardwalk that is partially in the original location and partially running along the tree line between the creek and Briars entry road, while a third option would involve a new pathway outside of the creek.
“The final option might have the least impact on the natural environment and cultural heritage as the proposed path runs through the pastureland alongside The Briars’ entry road,” the council said. “This path would be located closer to the vehicle entry. This would hopefully help reduce the number of visitors who enter through the main car gate on foot, which is a safety concern.”
Speaking of the delays it had faced, the shire said, “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 shire would also need to consult with Melbourne Water and the Bunurong Land Council, which would determine if the shire needed to undertake a flora and fauna study, and whether it needs to develop a cultural heritage management plan. “These potential requirements and the community’s feedback will be considered by council when it makes its final decision on which boardwalk option to implement.” Community consultation will begin soon.
First published in the Mornington News – 12 November 2024
