Mount Alexander Shire Council is seeking a permanent speed reduction along a one-kilometre stretch of Golden Point Road at Chewton to address road safety issues at Expedition Pass Reservoir.
Following on from the article ‘An accident waiting to happen?’ (published in the Express on January 7), which outlined community concern about haphazard parking along the road, a council spokesperson said the council had been working with the Department of Transport to introduce a seasonal (December to April) speed limit of 40km/h along a one-kilometre stretch of the road.
“The council is currently in the process of submitting a permanent speed reduction request of 60km/h to the Department of Transport along the aforementioned stretch of road to improve safety for visitors to the site,” the spokesperson said.
“Any future considerations by the council related to formalised parking at Expedition Pass Reservoir will need to be done in partnership with the relevant road authorities.”
Parking is not the only concern residents have raised. Bushfire risks and the impacts ignoring dog bans have on native wildlife, are both topics that are front and centre in people’s minds.
Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park, managed by Parks Victoria, has a dog ban in place to protect native wildlife, but visitors have been known to flout this rule often.
Parks Victoria ranger team leader Lachlan Cullum confirmed that the reservoir was visited by many native species including the swift parrot.
“Dogs can attack and even kill some native species as well as disrupting their behaviour,” he said.
“Rangers regularly patrol the reservoir to make sure people understand dogs are not allowed there.”
Mr Cullum also confirmed that the park was closed for public safety on days rated catastrophic fire danger rated days.
“Expedition Pass is a great place to visit, particularly in the summer months, but with warm weather comes the risk of fires,” he said.
“All Victorians should follow emergency service advice during bushfire season, download the VicEmergency app for the latest information, and check for any closures due to fire danger rating.”
