Welcome to this winter edition of the Beaconsfield Banner. The Banner is available on our BPA website www.beaconsfield.org.au and printed copies are available from a number of local businesses including the Beaconsfield Post Office.
The most significant local issue we are dealing with is the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) and, in particular, the Level Crossing at Station Street, Beaconsfield. This project identified the potential losses of the heritage Bunya Bunya tree as well as the heritage Railway House built circa 1888 located at 20 Beaconsfield Avenue. The LXRP have maintained their preferred option for a route diagonally south from Goff Street, Beaconsfield Avenue, and Station Street intersection through the Old Railway House property (to be compulsorily acquired) with an overpass bridge across the railway line and Kenilworth Avenue and then joining a new roundabout at Kenilworth Avenue. A group of local residents have protested the proposed demolition of the house and loss of the Bunya Bunya tree. BPA has supported this group’s actions by way of social media posts, publicity and obtaining signatories for the petition. BPA has provided free publicity including extra print of the Beaconsfield Banners. The Save the Railway House & Bunya Bunya Tree Facebook Group arranged a picnic on site. Approximately 50 people attended including Michael Galea MP, the former and current owners of the Railway House, Radio 3CR host Joe Toscano.
Some people travelled considerable distances to hear about the proposed demolition and loss of the tree. On a positive note, the State Government has advised that the heritage significant parts of the Railway House will be saved as will the Bunya Bunya tree. LXRP has released drawings of the project and they sought residents’ views on what is proposed including the new overhead bridge. We arranged a public meeting on Zoom on 19th April for people to discuss with LXRP their views on the project. We need the community to continue advocacy on this project to obtain a favourable outcome for the area.
There is a new table and bench seat erected at Beaconsfield Park and they look good and will be appreciated by people having a picnic whilst using the park. This project was undertaken under a “Covid Period” grant. A separate grant of $2,000 has been received from Cardinia Shire Council for a bench seat on a concrete base which will be located in the Berwick Views Estate near the lakes and the entrance to the shops.
Further landscape plans have been released for Bonette Reserve and Cardinia Shire Council has received feed-back. A further on-site meeting has been held by BPA and Cardinia Shire Officers and a Councillor. This project which is opposite the Woods Street Kindergarten will beautify this area.
BPA held the Anzac Memorial Service at the Beaconsfield War Memorial on Sunday 23rd April. The format was similar to previous years commencing with a march preceding the service along Woods Street from the Beaconsfield CFA Station to the War Memorial. Afternoon tea was served at Beaconsfield Kindergarten. Approximately 120 people attended the service including politicians representing our area, namely Jason Wood MP, Brad Battin MP and Michael Galea MP as well as Cardinia Shire Councillors Mayor Cr Tammy Radford and Cr Brett Owen. The Memorial Address about the McNaughton Brothers was written by Penny Harris Jennings and was read by Cr Brett Owen. It was pleasing to see the community come together again and help make this event successful. A grant was received from Cardinia Shire Council to pay for this event.
Recently Melbourne Water undertook a letterbox drop in Beaconsfield updating the Beaconsfield Dam Safety Upgrade Project. Melbourne Water have maintained their position that the partial upgrade option remains their preference and are proceeding with the project. The project scope includes :
- Partial reduction in the dam wall height
- Slow drawdown of the water level over 3 years
- Removal of redundant infrastructure
- Construction of a secondary spillway with a rock lined channel
- Decommission the high-level outlet function
This partial upgrade option was supported by our Association in all our submissions including to Melbourne Water. It is noted that this announcement only deals with the dam safety. Public access issues will be addressed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
The Cardinia Shire Mayor’s Volunteers Reception and Stan Henwood Award Ceremony was held on Thursday 18 May. The event acknowledged the contributions by volunteers. Congratulations to the winner of the Stan Henwood Award and to those nominated for the award.
Preliminary works have been carried out on Fieldstone Boulevard under the LATM program. Road humps and speed cushion devices have been installed after community consultation.
Graeme Taylor
President
Beaconsfield Progress Assoc. Inc.
