Outcry kills canopy tour

By Casey Neill
FRIENDS of Hamer Arboretum are claiming a community victory following a State Government back flip on plans to revamp the Olinda site.
But Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel and Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the region had lost a potential tourism drawcard.
Monbulk MP James Merlino last Friday announced to rapturous applause at an environment forum that Parks Victoria had canned a proposed tree-based canopy tour at RJ Hamer Arboretum.
The project was put forward last September as part of a State Government eco-tourism plan to increase community engagement with the environment.
It would have included tree mounted aerial platforms connected with bridges and zip lines.
But Mr Merlino said the site was deemed inappropriate following community outcry.
“Hopefully, one of the positives out of this whole process will be the sustainable long term group of people who are going to work and care for the RJ Hamer Arboretum,” he said.
Friends of Hamer Arboretum spokesman Roger Mendelson was relieved with the decision. The group formed to oppose the development.
The Olinda resident has walked in the arboretum for 30 years. “The project would have just destroyed the whole of the arboretum for all walkers,” he said.
“You go there for the tranquillity. It’s a huge thing to keep it as it is.”
Mr Mendelson acknowledged a potential loss of tourism.
“But you’re going to lose out a lot more from people who come to the hills to use it for what’s on offer – nature,” he said.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel said local business would have benefited from the development.
“I’m a bit disappointed that a way hasn’t been found to develop the proposed project or something similar in a way that was acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said. He rejected claims the development would have cost the area more visitors than it attracted.
“The arboretum is a popular spot but my feeling is it would be big enough for both,” he said.
Cr Cliff said the State Government reacted too quickly to community pressure.
“I’m not happy with it because I don’t think a big enough picture was painted of it,” he said.
He said the consultation process should have gone further.
“There is a group of people out there who are in favour of it,” he said.
“There is another side of it. That’s why I would have liked to see more consultation. We might have arrived at the same decision and I’m happy with that, but I just don’t think this was proper consultation.”
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the local community had “scored a big win”.
“Lucky it is a state election year otherwise Labor would have given this project the green light,” he said.
“The only question now is, how much money has Labor wasted by selecting a tenderer only to back flip on their plans?”
Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said the State Government had lost money by dumping the project.
“That’s an issue that we’re going to worry about,” he said.