Not happy about the intrusion on their environment. From left, Bronwyn Fitzgerald, Anne Johnson, Jennie Vaughan, Petra Palmer, Libby Goy, and Dr Geoffrey Vaughan on part of the pink path.By Jim Mynard
UPPER Beaconsfield residents have come out in force to protest against pink concrete footpaths which they say destroy the environmental nature of the area.
Horse riders have reacted angrily to the style of the pathways on St Georges and Salisbury roads leading to the Beaconsfield Emerald Road intersection.
They say that besides the ugly nature of the work the path is dangerous.
A spokeswoman for the Upper Beaconsfield Adult Riding Club, Anne Johnson said residents were not consulted before the work was done.
“We now have more than 400 signatures on a protest petition to the Cardinia Shire Council demanding that the unsightly path be removed,” she said.
Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club president Bronwyn Fitzgerald said the work cost $35,000 and that the colour was mixed in to the concrete.
She said Upper Beaconsfield residents did not want concrete.
“We want cementstabilised gravel pathways that are more suitable for running and walking.
“Why did we get this pink monster?”
However, Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge said the council had to look at all aspects of living in Upper Beaconsfield.
“I am aware of these concerns about the footpath and will consider them.
“I am also aware of the need for people with things such as prams to be provided with safe and easy access and for general use,” he said.
Cr Legge said he would present the petition to the council in due course.
Resident Petra Palmer said Upper Beaconsfield was portrayed as an equestrian area and that council strategies guaranteed that the charm of the area would never be jeopardised.
Ms Palmer said the area had designated equestrian trails and some of these trails were along jointuse footpaths.
“This path is part of that network.
“This is an easy option for the council to avoid having to maintain gravel pathways,” she said.
Ms Palmer said people from other areas agisted their horses at Upper Beaconsfield so they could ride the bridle trails.
“This destroys our rural atmosphere. We didn’t come here to live with concrete paths. The council has ignored its own equestrian strategy that is to provide safe access for horse riders and that the strategy was not to be compromised by urban development,” she said.
The protesters said the council should erect signs along the bridle trails so that people looking at properties to buy in the area were aware that the path in front of their property could be a bridle path.
