Badger Weir is still off limits

Badger Weir Picnic Ground is set to remain closed to the public with reconstruction works yet to be approved by the Victorian Government.

In Parliament last week, State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish put forward fresh questions about the tender process for reconstruction of facilities damaged in October 2016 due to storms.

It’s the third time Ms McLeish has had to put questions to the Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio about reconstruction and an expected opening date for the park.

In April the Minister stated in a letter to Ms McLeish that “Parks Victoria aims to open tender for construction before mid-2018, with a view to reopen the picnic ground later in the year”.

However, it appears that a tender for the works has not been awarded according to the Victorian Government’s public tender website.

“With tenders not even awarded there is no chance that Badger Weir will reopen before Christmas. Our community has been misled into believing Badger Weir would open this year.”

“It’s the government’s responsibility to maintain and repair community assets in a timely manner, and to keep the community informed about the progress but the Andrews Labor Government can’t even construct a toilet block in reasonable time,” Ms McLeish said.

“Badger Weir is a special place for locals and for visitors to get out and enjoy our beautiful natural environment. I have been contacted by many people who are very concerned that after nearly two years since its closure, the park is still off limits and that the government has failed to meet the community’s expectations.”

Under Parliamentary Rules the Minister has 30 days to respond to Ms McLeish’s questions.