Gate case open, but not yet shut

By Jim Mynard
CASEY Council has called for a report on the controversial winter closure of Boundary Road, Narre Warren East.
Gates were placed across the road that is defined by Casey Council as a fire track, but is also the boundary between Casey and the Shire of Yarra Ranges. The gate was to be padlocked open during the fire season.
Narre Warren East resident Ian Murphy objected to the closure and Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson asked during the Tuesday 23 January council meeting that council have the gates removed.
Mr Murphy said Casey Council did not follow correct protocol between the two municipalities when it installed the gates.
Cr Richardson asked by what authority the gates had been erected.
Casey manager of works and operations Alex Micheli said he authorised the work after consultation with the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Cr Richardson then presented a letter, dated Tuesday 23 January, from Yarra Ranges director of environment and engineering, Simon Thomas to Casey director of infrastructure Ray Butler, asking to establish the reasons and process by which the gates were installed.
Cr Richardson said Yarra Ranges sent the letter to Mr Butler and wanted a please explain, but Mr Butler said he had not yet received the letter.
Cr Richardson warned the council that if it would not discuss the issue he would take it to a higher authority because Yarra Ranges said there had been no consultation with Casey about the gates.
“This has been a complete stuff up.”
Cr Beardon: “Can we leave the gates open?”
Mr Butler said the gates were locked open and had been locked closed for only one day while concrete around the posts was setting.
However, they are meant to be closed during winter.
Mr Micheli said Boundary Road was not a declared road and could be closed to prevent harm and provide safety to people.
“The road floods and the gates were installed to keep it consistent with other fire tracks.”
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said the council was going around in circles over the issue and successfully asked for a full report on the matter.
He said Mr Butler had not received the letter written on the day of the meeting and made available to Cr Richardson before it was posted.
“We need all the information we can get and consultation with the Shire of Yarra Ranges on this,” he said.