Walhalla is shire’s responsibility

I read with disbelief the article and comments from Irene Broadbent of Darnum regarding shire expenditure in Walhalla (Gaz 21/8).

My family has been associated with this shire for 159 years and have been ratepayers since the formation of the Shire of Walhalla in 1872.

Walhalla is a gazetted town and contrary to Ms Broadbent’s belief the local shire has responsibility for footpaths in towns.

Obviously if a footpath needs maintenance or the network needs replacement it is the responsibility of the shire.

Most people do not realise that Walhalla had extensive footpath networks throughout the town during the gold rush.

These were installed by the (Walhalla) shire. With the demise of the town, following the closing of the mines, this footpath network fell into disrepair and only small segments remain.

Walhalla is experiencing tourism growth of eight per cent per annum and obviously there is a need for the reinstatement of footpaths to ensure tourist safety.

Ms Broadbent also questioned the $25K that the shire contributed to a scope of works to install sewerage in the town.

What she neglects to consider is that more than 75 per cent of effluent produced in the town is associated with tourism and not permanent residents.

The shire is responsible for the public toilets in the town and with growing tourist numbers more toilets will eventually be needed.

This is no different than the shire improving public toilets in Warragul or Droiun. Currently in Walhalla the shire spends ridiculous amounts of money transporting effluent out of Walhalla in semi-trailers every week.

This is because there is no sewerage and the existing public toilet effluent is held in holding tanks requiring regular emptying. There is simply no other EPA approved option for effluent disposal in Walhalla.

And what happens on busy weekends? I have personally witnessed these holding tanks overflowing with the effluent running into Stringers Creek.

Campers swim in this creek, fish in the creek and many source drinking water from the creek. This is not acceptable and we are not living in developing countries.

Walhalla residents pay rates too. The 140,000 (+ eight per cent annually) visitors that bring money and jobs into the shire deserve better than these comments from someone who clearly does not understand the responsibilities of a shire council or the importance of tourism in the local economy.

Brian Brewer, Walhalla

Having another retail zone like this on the outskirts of Warragul will inevitably destroy the existing retail centre having set a precedent, it is only a matter of time before the other vacant areas along Queen Street are rezoned as well.

Apparently, memories are short! Remember what happened to Morwell with the opening of Mid-Valley. The town has never fully recovered! Lyn Robinson, Trafalgar

The cast member on the far right was identified as Eilidh Purton as “Morgana”. Incorrect, I believe.

The cast member was, in fact, Eloise Brown who played the leading role as the Princess. Eloise is my neighbour and I don’t think she was very amused by the Gazette’s error. I don’t believe I ever saw a correction printed.

Aldo Bagnara, Warragul

A pallet full of bouquets and praise to Baw Baw Shire staff for their quick response and action for the removal of several unstable trees on the roadside reserve of my property and also Drouin Tree Services engaged by the council who carried out the removal in a very safe and co-ordinated manner. Well done to all.

Bouquets to the Warragul Business Group for supporting the new development of the Nilma end of Queen Street.

This will put Nilma on the map as, whether travelling east on west, traffic will turn off at Nilma, thereby avoiding the now un-navigable township of Warragul. Bricks to the Warragul District Junior Football League. Surely when you charge $7 entry per person over 16 you could afford toilet paper.

Bricks to the P-Plate driver and his passengers in VW Golf who are swerving at oncoming cyclists and punching the riders. Unbelievably stupid!

Many thanks to the person who found my right boot on Mason Rd and put it on a reflector arm. It is now happily back with my left boot.

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