Concrete jungle

By DANIELLE GALVIN
CARDINIA Street residents claim Berwick risks becoming a “concrete jungle” with the construction of a new footpath.
A group of residents in the area believe the council failed to consult them about the footpath between Funston and Cardinia streets.
Casey residents Helen and Robert Burns are among the residents “outraged” by the council’s decision to go ahead with the project, despite concerns from ratepayers.
“Akoonah Park along with its green, leafy landscaped streets, are the very essence of what draws people to visit this area,” Ms Burns said.
“Council advocates that its unique character needs to be protected, through its own Neighbourhood Character Protection for Berwick Township and Surrounds, and Berwick Township Significant Landscape Strategy.
“Residents actively support this, however now with the Cardinia Street footpath well underway, there has been significant destruction to the wide open landscape that these documents were created by council to protect.”
The residents believe the construction of the footpath has affected the look of the street with the council cutting back trees on the nature strip.
Another resident, who has lived in the area for 17 years, said there was a lack of consultation with the community affected and that the council had “plonked a straight concrete footpath” on the street.
City of Casey Manager of Engineering David Richardson advised that following consideration of a report to council which included further consultation and a petition against the footpath, council resolved at its meeting on 5 June to proceed with the construction of the footpath on Funston Street and Cardinia Street due to the access and safety benefits to the wider community.
But Ms Burns said that parking was not allowed on the western side of Cardinia Street where the footpath is being constructed.
“You have to park on the eastern side of Cardinia Street,” she said.
“People who come along for the Relay for Life, Berwick Show, the swap meet, the Highland Gathering and so on – can only park on the eastern side so it doesn’t make sense for the footpath to go there.”