Below are extracts from the report regarding the future use of the area. The most significant, but least reported seems to be the linking of walking trails in the area, making this the start or finish point for one of the many trails throughout the Dandenong Ranges.

The considerations for the existing wildlife and fauna seem to be unsubstantiated in many ways, and the report recommends determining the levels of protected and valuable wildlife in the park.

The question remains is it really necessary to make these major changes? There are a multitude of walking trails and national parks throughout the Dandenong Ranges for these types of activities. Yet there are extremely limited areas that dog owners are allowed to exercise there pets responsibly.

The users of the park are dedicated users who frequent the park on a regular basis. There is no substantial evidence in the report to suggest that these changes will increase visitors to the asset.

Recent improvements to the park are recommended to be removed and replaced incurring substantial costs, replacing bridges walkways and car parks, all for estimated interest for expected visitors when linked with the current trails in the area. I for one would like to see the numbers using these trails and a survey of their interest in the proposed changes to the area.

The park is an overflow and water retention area. The Parks uses are limited, as facilities such as toilets cannot be included due to the fact that the area floods! No doubt the flora and wildlife will be impacted during heavy rainfall, but these reflections are limited in the report.

The water quality requires major improvements to encourage the use as a wetland area. The lake will need to be drained to carry out these works, and the wildlife relocated! The details of which are minimal in the report.

The success of the future plan relies heavily on investment from landowners and councils. No evidence of their support is evident in the report.

Major threat to the wildlife in the park is from foxes and wild cats. What will be the impact on reducing visitors and dogs to the population of other pr editors? will the chain link fences keep out cats and foxes? This newly created habitat will be a wonder full place for introduced species to hunt and roam. Guess what cats and foxes don't pay fines imposed by councils! Chain link fences in my experience don't tend to be to much of a deterrent to these species. What are the recommendations and is there an expected increase after changes? Not discussed in the report.

Lets start asking questions as to the viability of these proposed changes, and request that the current users of the park be taken into consideration in the development.

Sign the On-line petition so it can be submitted to Melbourne Water, and be taken into consideration in future discussions regarding the area.

Attachments from report:
ISSUES
• The lake and wetland inlet zones are subject to significant sediment loads from the
Upper Dandenong and Dobsons Creek catchments. There is no current monitoring of
sediment build up in the lake and inlet zone.
• Any future desilting would require the lake to be drained and will potentially impact on
habitat values for Flora and Fauna Guarantee listed species using areas of open water
and indigenous marsh vegetation at the inlet zone.
• During de-silting, a dewatering storage area will be required on site away from the
primary inflow to the retarding basin. This may impact on short-term landscape
amenity.
• The lake edge is eroding due to wave action and high levels of dog access in certain
areas.
• There is no survey of water depth within the lake to inform monitoring of sediment build
up and formation of benches.
• There are no safety benches in the ornamental wetland. This limits opportunity for
macrophyte establishment, water quality treatment function and the deep water may
present hazards to recreational users.
• Surcharge from local roadside drainage along Liverpool Road is causing erosion in the
existing unsealed car park.
16. Monitor impacts of introduced animals and implement control programs as
required to minimise potential threats to the Swamp Skink population,
waterbirds and other native wildlife.
17. Remove exotic waterfowl from the retarding basin lakes as required to
minimise potential detrimental impacts on native waterbirds.
18. Designate environmentally sensitive locations within the reserve as ‘Habitat
Refuge Areas’ from which dogs and recreational activities are excluded to
minimise disturbances to significant remnant vegetation and native wildlife.
19. Utilise Local Laws, education programs and enforcement measures
ensuring dogs are kept on leashes as required to minimise disturbances to
native wildlife and prevent uncontrolled entry to environmentally sensitive
areas.
20. Discourage the feeding of waterfowl on the lakes through signage and
education programs to assist in reducing the dominance of aggressive
species.
21. Increase community awareness and ownership of the environmental values
of the site where opportunities arise, such as through the installation of
interpretive signage and facilities and potential involvement in
environmental education programs and revegetation activities.
Managing visitor impacts
Remnant vegetation and wetland areas within the Liverpool Road Retarding Basin
are sensitive to disturbances associated with recreational activities and their impacts
should be minimised wherever possible to protect significant vegetation and native
wildlife occurring within the reserve.
The widespread use of the reserve for the exercising of dogs is a major issue
requiring attention in the ongoing protection of environmental values. The dogs are
often unrestrained, despite signage advising they are required to be on leashes, and
are frequently observed chasing native waterbirds and trampling through wetland
vegetation areas. This is particularly likely to be adversely impacting on the diversity
of waterbirds present and the suitability of the site as breeding habitat. Many wetland
birds which would otherwise be attracted to the site are either absent or visit
infrequently because of regular disturbance throughout most areas. They include
larger non-swimming waterbirds, such as egrets and herons, and smaller cryptic

Action 18 Designate environmentally sensitive locations within the reserve as
‘Habitat Refuge Areas’ from which dogs and recreational activities
are excluded to minimise disturbances to significant remnant
vegetation and native wildlife.
Dogs should be required to be kept on leashes elsewhere within the reserve to
minimise disturbances to native wildlife and protect uncontrolled entry to
environmentally sensitive areas. Local Laws, education programs and enforcement
measures should be utilised as required to ensure visitors to the reserve understand
the importance of restraining dogs within the site.
Action 19 Utilise Local Laws, education programs and enforcement measures
ensuring dogs are kept on leashes as required to minimise
disturbances to native wildlife and prevent uncontrolled entry to
environmentally sensitive areas.
The widespread feeding of wildfowl by visitors to the lakes in the reserve is generally
favouring a limited range of aggressive species which are likely to actively exclude
other waterbirds. This should be discouraged through signage and education
programs wherever possible.
Action 20 Discourage the feeding of waterfowl on the lakes through signage
and education programs to assist in reducing the dominance of
aggressive species.
Environment Assessment Report – Liverpool Road Retarding Basin, Boronia
Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant (03) 5962 4332 Page 38
There are substantial opportunities for raising community awareness of the
environmental values of the reserve and requirements for their protection. These
could potentially include the future installation of interpretive signage promoting
significant wetland and remnant vegetation values, conducting environmental
education programs and establishment of minimal impact facilities such as bird hides
and boardwalk trails through wetland areas. Community involvement in revegetation
activities may also be desirable to increase awareness and ownership of the site.
Action 21 Increase community awareness and ownership of the environmental
values of the site where opportunities arise, such as through the
installation of interpretive signage and facilities and potential
involvement in environmental education programs and revegetation
activities.
Monitoring significant species
Surveys should be undertaken on an ongoing basis to monitor the occurrence and
distribution of significant species within the reserve. This should particularly include
ongoing monitoring of the Swamp Skink population to assess the effectiveness of
habitat protection and restoration measures. Surveys of frog populations within
wetland areas should be undertaken to assess the potential occurrence of significant
species and determine requirements for their protection, particularly prior to any
draining or de-silting activities. Ongoing monitoring of Platypus and other aquatic
fauna within the site and waterways further upstream would also be desirable to
monitor population movements and fluctuations.
Action 22 Undertake monitoring programs for significant species within the
reserve on an ongoing basis to assess their distribution and the
effectiveness of habitat restoration measures.
6.0 ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION
A number of issues will need to be considered in the environmental enhancement
works program. These include the following;
• No loss of total storage to be considered at the site – means export of material
off site for some new works. Retain open grass area for any future dewatering
works
• Retain a proportion of low flows to lake, during planning for proposed new
low flow diversion to creek as outlined in the Project Concept Plan, to ensure
that the lake and wetlands are maintained as critical habitats
• Monitor impacts of ongoing sedimentation on the lake and inlet zone habitats,
water quality and vegetation. Provide upstream sediment trapping as outlined
Project Concept Plan to minimise the potential future need and frequency of
desilting of the lake and subsequent impacts on habitat values
• If major desilting of the lake is required at some point in the future ensure
consideration of habitat protection and transition prior to works. Investigate
maximising the long term environmental benefits during works by resetting
the lake floor to increase diversity and sustainability of wet habitat areas.
• Rearrange paths and creek crossings to create and extend creek and wetland
habitat zones not accessible to people or dogs
• Relocate the existing bridge over Dandenong Creek to improve links to car
parking and the future new bike path connection while reducing impact on the
lake inlet zone habitat values.