JIM FAGAN
The days of swinging from tree ropes and splashing into Weyba Creek could be over for local kids if the infrastructure and services committee’s recommendation to Council is upheld.
Weyba Creek Esplanade contains a narrow strip of bushland and current public access is causing local complaints about people jumping from the Weyba Creek footbridge and rope swings on the eastern bank.
Environment officer Jan Maddin told the committee there were now five rope swings hanging from branches. Also, other complaints were that people camped for up to eight days; bollard barriers were removed to allow cars to park further into the Reserve, and the creek banks near Leslie Drive were suffering serious erosion.
The ‘swing trees’ would most likely fall soon and lead to more bank collapse. “When one or more of the trees fall it will cause further hazards in the stream, potentially rendering this particular area unsafe for recreational use such as swimming, boating and canoeing.
“The likely cost of removing trees which become hazards will be significantly higher.”
Among the options recommended to the committee were educational signage and a local letter box drop explaining the area needs immediate rehabilitation; remove tree ladders and rope swings; close degraded, high risks areas for regeneration and restoration, and increased visits by Council law officers. The recommendation will be discussed by the council’s general committee on Monday.
