Rebuilding Balcombe Creek Boardwalk, Briars: explore the options
Published on 25 November 2024
We are excited to present three options for rebuilding the Balcombe Creek Boardwalk (Briars section) and encourage our community to have their say on their preferred choice on our website.
This popular trail is a beautiful walk that meanders through the natural bushland and creek from Mount Martha beach to The Briars, and connects with the Wildlife Sanctuary and Harrap Creek walking trails. Unfortunately, back in November 2022 the boardwalk was severely damaged in a storm. The extreme weather event brought on a flood that destroyed and relocated the boardwalk in some areas. Since the flooding, this section of the boardwalk within the Briars has been closed to the public.
Given the complexity of the site, we engaged experts to do a thorough evaluation on a boardwalk replacement. With the environmental and cultural heritage sensitivities of the area, plus the need to ensure future infrastructure can withstand extreme weather, the experts have recommended three options for rebuilding the path. The options are at different price points and with varying impacts on flora and fauna and cultural heritage areas. The estimated costs are based on features and associated works (e.g. vegetation removal). At this stage, we will not disclose cost estimates to ensure a competitive tender process and fair pricing for community assets.
Option 1: Replacement like-for-like $$$
This option would see the boardwalk rebuilt in its existing location. To ensure the new path can withstand future storms and extreme weather, the new infrastructure will need to be flood-proof, which means that more significant footings than what was in place previously are required.
This will involve notable vegetation removal. There would likely be considerable loss of Swamp Paperbarks and other trees such as wattles and remnant eucalyptus trees that are growing very close to the existing boardwalk.
Option 2: Partial like-for-like $$
This option would deliver a boardwalk that is partially in the original location and partially running along the tree line between the creek and Briars entry road. It balances the wish to give our community the original walking trail back but has fewer environmental, cultural heritage and financial impacts than option 1. Most of the new path is outside of the flood zone and therefore would only require flood-proof engineering in some parts. This means that the cost is reduced and the impact to the natural environment is less than option 1. However, there would still be a significant impact on the vegetation near the creek where the boardwalk would be reconstructed in the original location.
Option 3: New pathway outside of the creek $
The final option has the least impact on the natural environment and cultural heritage as the proposed path runs through the pastureland alongside The Briars’ entry road. This path would be located closer to the vehicle entry. This would hopefully help reduce the number of visitors who enter through the main car gate on foot, which is a safety concern.
What happens next?
As well as consulting our community, consultation with Melbourne Water and the Bunurong Land Council is required to determine if we need to undertake a Flora and Fauna Study, and whether we need to develop a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. These potential requirements and the community’s feedback will be considered by Council when it makes its final decision on which boardwalk option to implement.
The timeline for construction will be determined based on whether we need to set aside time for a Flora and Fauna Study and Cultural Heritage Management Plan before construction can begin.
Share your feedback
Community consultation is currently open and closes 12 January.
Online
Go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/briarsboardwalk and take the survey online.
Hard copy feedback forms are available at our Customer Service Centres in Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud.
In person
Join us for a BBQ at the Briars to learn more and share your feedback.
1 December 2024, 10am - 2.30pm
The Briars
10 December 2024, 10am - 4pm
Mount Martha shops (outside Ritchies)
Quotes attributable to Mayor and Briars Ward Councillor Anthony Marsh:
“The Balcombe Creek Boardwalk is a much-loved feature of our Mount Martha community, offering stunning natural views and vital connections to other walking trails. We’re committed to rebuilding it and encourage everyone to share their feedback on the proposed options.”