Councillors have clashed over plans to grant people their right to access public land by the Kiewa River, which has been fenced off for years.
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But after a 4-1 vote from Wodonga councillors at this week’s meeting, river access for pedestrians will be granted at Chapples Road in Baranduda.
The “no trespassing, private property” sign will be removed and Parklands Albury Wodonga will install more appropriate fencing to separate the public and private land.
Cr Kat Bennett assured nearby residents the works would be “low-key”.
“Access to public land by the public is a right and it shouldn’t be denied,” she said.
“The current set-up there isn’t appropriate, so thanks to PAW and the residents for bringing this to our attention.”
Cr Ron Mildren was the only person to vote against allowing river access, saying he was concerned about car parking, the effect of tree planting on nearby reserves and bushfire management, and ongoing maintenance costs.
“I think this is a bit half-cooked, I have a whole range of concerns,” he said.
“We should have put this to a formal consultation process with the nearby neighbourhood.”
Mayor Anna Speedie tried to alleviate the concerns and asked residents not to react with fear, saying the work was about giving access to the “beautiful river” for fishing and walking.
“What we’re actually proposing isn’t vehicular access, it is actually about pedestrianisation,” she said.
“It’s about ensuring some of that safety, ie putting up a fence with a pedestrian gate so there is some safety and security and we don’t get motorbikes ripping through there or motor vehicles ripping through there.”
The same proposal was knocked back in 2013 after a petition from ratepayers was sent to the council, but the reasons of councillors were not kept on file.
WHAT ELSE IS MAKING NEWS:
Officers will now start work with PAW to manage the issues of tree-planting and bushfire management.
“All of the neighbourhood would be encouraged to be part of the Parklands army to go out and plant and look after that area like we see from so many people who back onto our parks and reserves already,” Cr Speedie said.
“It’s like accessing our hilltops, it’s like accessing our park - it actually belongs to all of our community.”
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