Information Leaflet and Questionnaire

This has to as good a place to start as anywhere. The care and attention spent ensuring that a large number of users of the facility was collected, was attempted, however only 56 responses where received.

The results of the survey where excepted as the tool for use to gauge public use of the Park. The results are published at the end of the PDF report, and after reading the various recommendations for new restrictions in the park, it would seem the most important aspects of the park users needs have been denied.

Over 80% of the surveyed most important aspects of the Park uses where;
1). Of leash Dog Walking
2). Feeding marine bird life
3). Walking the tracks and bush lands
4). Bird watching.
5). Open Space and Views

all these are recommended to be banned or restricted.

Activities suggested in the survey such as picnic's, meeting people, meditation, cycling at no stage where over 10% of the reason for visiting, for any one item.

55% of people who visit the park do so with the intent of walking there dogs.

A study was done to show the postcodes of visitors from the site. The conclusion drawn was that the majority of the visitors were local. However there are already a large percentage of regular visitors to the park from areas as far afield as;

3136 Croydon
3138 Mooroolbark
3140 Lilydale
3152 Wantirna South
3156 Ferntree Gully
3179 Scoresby
4211 Interstate
Postcode Summary:
3765 Montrose
3153 Bayswater
3133 Vermont

This result from only 56 people is an indication of the lack of similar facilities in surrounding areas. What is the knock on affect to the other parks and reserves in these areas, when people from as far afield as Croydon start to try to find new places to walk their dogs.

It is a nice idea that Knox Council have the resources spare to erect vast amounts of chain link fences and provide offers to monitor the dog walking activities within the park. But as people start to frequent less appropriate places to exercise their pets. Will these various councils have the resources required to police off-leash walking of dogs over such a large area.

So, no formal discusions with the majority of users of the park. Indications from the questionable questionarre, completely ignored. Surely it is time to at least further discuss the issues with these regular visitors.

Follow the link to the Labour party policy regarding parks and reserves. It is very specific, and promises the introduction of 2 NEW of leash dog walking parks in the south eadt area. Yet here is a long term existing dog park, regulary visited by people in a 30km radius. That we are recommending the closure of.

Also in the labour Party report there is no mention a financial allocation in this term for spending in the areas the report recomends. Such a large scale vision seem's to be lacking detail regarding the cost's and further investment in public facilities.

Take the time to read the survey, I will paste it below:


Liverpool Road Retarding Basin
Future Directions Plan
Summary of Information Leaflet Questionnaire Responses
Prepared by Thompson Berrill Landscape Design P/L for Melbourne Water November 2006
INTRODUCTION
An information leaflet and questionnaire was prepared to seek feedback from the community regarding
their existing use of the site, reasons for visiting the site, and issues they would like considered in
development of the Future Directions Plan.
Melbourne Water distributed leaflets by letterbox drop to adjoining residents in Chandlers Lane and
leaflets were made available at the information board on site, located at the existing site carpark off
Liverpool Road between September 27 and November 10 2006. Additional leaflets were also made
available to Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox Councils for display in their local customer service
centres and on their respective Council websites, and to Stakeholder Groups including Knox
Environment Society, Salvation Army Mountain Valley Camp, Parks Victoria, Australian Platypus
Conservancy and the First Friends of Dandenong Creek. Advertisements were placed in the Knox
Journal, Knox Leader and Maroondah Leader and the leaflet was also made available on Melbourne
Water's website.
A total of 56 questionnaires were completed and returned. The outcomes of these have been
summarised in this paper.
1.0 FREQUENCY OF VISITS
Respondents were asked to tick a box indicating how frequently they visited the site.
The percentage columns have been calculated on the basis of the total number of returned
questionnaires, 56.
The high percentage of Daily and Weekly users represented in the returned questionnaires
indicates the site display has alerted users to the project, and the display could be used
again as an effective tool to promote the draft recommendations of the Future Directions
Plan, and to gain further community comment once the draft plan is complete.
LIVERPOOL ROAD RETARDING BASIN SUMMARY OF INFORMATION LEAFLET #1 OUTCOMES PREPARED BY TBLD P/L NOVEMBER 2006 Page 2
2.0 WHERE THEY LIVE
2.1 Users by postcode
Respondents were asked to indicate their postcode. The percentage columns have been
calculated on the basis of the total number of returned questionnaires, 56.
The high percentage of users from the Basin and Boronia reflects the existing local
catchment based in Knox City Council. Following connection of the future shared trail link,
this may change with an increasing number of visitors coming to the site from the
Bayswater and Kilsyth area via the shared trail.
2.2 Users by municipality
Due to the existing lack of off road path connections to the site it is expected that the
majority of users (local and regional) drive to the site. This is also reflected in percentage
of users from beyond directly adjoining suburbs.
LIVERPOOL ROAD RETARDING BASIN SUMMARY OF INFORMATION LEAFLET #1 OUTCOMES PREPARED BY TBLD P/L NOVEMBER 2006 Page 3
3.0 WHAT PEOPLE VALUE ABOUT THE SITE
Respondents were asked in an open format question what they valued about the site. The
majority of total responses indicated that the natural values such as bushland, open space
and views, were the most significant value. Added to that, a percentage specifically
mentioned the water bodies including the lake, creek and wetland area. Birdlife was the
highest single value and represented 32% of the total overall.
Recreation including access and primarily the walking paths were highly valued, while
walking and socializing dogs was also rated highly by respondents.
Summary of all values
The percentages have been calculated on the basis of the total number of returned
questionnaires, 56. Note many respondents indicated more than one value.
Respondents were asked to indicate their reasons for visiting the reserve. The
percentages have been calculated on the basis of the total number of returned
questionnaires, 56. Some respondents indicated more than one reason.

Dog walking was the reason most people visit the reserve with over 55%.

Summary of all reasons to visit
Birdlife
7% Ducks, feeding (i.e. 7% of returned questionnaires indicated they visited for duck
feeding)
5% Birdlife
2% Duck, watching
2% Knox Birdwatching Group
Open space and natural values
9% Open space, close to home
9% Quiet, Peaceful, Tranquil
7% Appreciate nature, environment, scenery
7% Open space, natural character important
5% Fresh air
5% Natural bushland
5% Open space, beautiful area
4% Large open space
4% Open space, enjoy visiting it
2% Clean
2% Safe
2% Scenery
2% Sentimental
2% Trees
2% Uncrowded
2% Views to the Dandenongs
2% Wildlife
Creek, lake and wetlands
5% Lakes
4% Wetlands
Dogs
55% Dog walking
9% Dogs, opportunity to socialise with other dog owners
9% Dogs, opportunity to socialise with other dogs
7% Dogs, opportunities for dogs to swim
5% Dogs, dog owners are responsible
2% Dog friendly area
2% Dog off lead area
Access, paths and passive recreation
39% Walking
27% Exercising
LIVERPOOL ROAD RETARDING BASIN SUMMARY OF INFORMATION LEAFLET #1 OUTCOMES PREPARED BY TBLD P/L NOVEMBER 2006 Page 5
13% Relaxation
9% Taking children
7% Meeting people
7% Picnics
5% Walking paths
4% Cycling
4% Meditation
4% Taking visitors
4% Wildlife, variety of wildlife to enjoy
2% Access, easy to access
2% Bridges
2% Nature walks
2% Recreation
2% Tai Chi
2% Yabbying
2% Taking grandchildren
2% Tadpoling
2% BBQs
2% Informal walking paths
5.0 ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE PLAN
Respondents were asked in an open ended question what issues they would like
addressed in the plan.

Retention (or provision) of the dog off lead was the single biggest issue with an overall total of 46% of responses requesting this be considered in development of the plan. 18% of respondents listed enforcement of dog on lead controls

as an important issue. Other dog issues included provision of dog bags and clean up of
dog waste (10%).
51% of responses requested improvements or additional recreational facilities including

Dogs
4% Dog friendly area, retain
4% Dog off-lead area to be fully fenced and secure
4% Dog off-lead area to be provided
4% Dog off-lead area, appreciated
4% Dog off-lead area, important for exercising and socialisation
4% Dog off-lead area, retain
4% Dog waste, owners to clean up
4% Dog waste, provide bags for disposal
4% Dog waste, provide bins for disposal
4% Dogs off-lead, impacting on birdlife
2% Dogs off-lead, impacting on other users
2% Dogs off-lead, personal safety concerns
2% Dogs on-lead, enforcement required
2% Dogs to be on-lead required


55% OF PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE PARK DO SO TO WALK THERE DOG!

46% OF PEOPLE SURVEYED ASK THAT OFF LEASH DOG WALKING BE TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY PLAN!

Call for more discussion regarding the continued succesful balance of USE VERSUS ENVIORONMENT follow the links from this site and read the full content of the report, and research into this issue.