By Jesse Graham
Parks Victoria crews are continuing the clean-up from last year’s massive 9 October storm, with Badger Weir and Donnelley’s Weir still closed to visitors four months later.
On Friday, 6 January, Wonga Park resident Lindy Sperring and her husband visited Maroondah Reservoir Park in Healesville.
In a letter sent to the Mail on 29 January, Ms Sperring said she and her partner were “very surprised to find the beautiful park in such a state”, with “overgrown garden beds”, fallen trees and rubbish scattered around the women’s toilets.
She said the carcass of a kangaroo was also seen in the reservoir.
“In the many times we have visited the park, we have never seen it in this sad state and felt embarrassed for all the tourists and visitors the park attracts,” Ms Sperring wrote.
Parks Victoria Area Chief Ranger, Conrad Annal said the “extensive damage” to parks in the area from the 9 October storm resulted in a “significant” clean-up and interruptions to regular maintenance work.
“Rectifying the storm damage has caused some minor disruptions to regular park maintenance schedules,” he said.
“A member of the public recently alerted Parks Victoria to a number of maintenance issues at Maroondah Reservoir Park, including rubbish and broken tiles in the toilets.
“Parks Victoria immediately investigated the issues raised and is addressing them as soon as possible.”
Mr Annal said staff had been removing fallen trees, repairing roads, clearing tracks and repairing visitor facilities since the storm, which saw 120 kilometre per hour winds lash the area.
The Mail reported on 28 October that 162 trees had fallen in Maroondah Reservoir Park alone, with similar, extensive damage to both Donnelly’s Weir and Badger Weir.
Mr Annal said both weirs were “significantly impacted” by the storms, and would remain closed until further notice.
“Parks Victoria is working to make the parks safe again and to re-open both parks as soon as possible,” he said.
He said the kangaroo carcass was reported to Melbourne Water, which manages the reservoir.
Residents can visit www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63 for updates on the parks.
