By KATH GANNAWAY
AN OBJECTOR to changes envisaged in the operation of Trees Adventure in Belgrave told Yarra Ranges councillors last week that as many as two or three cars a day get stuck on the narrow dirt road leading to the property.
Concerns about the suitability of the Old Monbulk Road as an access road were the main objection to Trees Adventure’s request to amend the original permit – granted after a successful VCAT challenge against the council in 2009.
But Trees Adventure director Marc Flaster has welcomed the council decision to support their application, saying it would encourage the company not only to improve the facility for future participants, but also relations with neighbours.
The approval allows the company to construct a new car park, adding two additional spaces, permission to use all the trees in the obstacle course area, use of an existing cottage as a shelter/eating area, and permission to run a week of performances in December.
The application received unanimous support from councillors who granted all the requests with an additional recommendation to encourage Trees Adventure to initiate a Special Charge Scheme to make the road.
The alternate recommendation by Lyster Ward councillor Mike Clarke, also required council officers to investigate the parking and traffic conditions to improve safety, access and parking concerns.
Natasha Ramm represented eight objectors at the 28 April Council meeting, saying she didn’t believe claims that the proposed changes would not increase traffic on what was already an overburdened road.
She said the solution was to use Cole Avenue, an alternative access road on the other side of the property.
She said construction of the road might alleviate concerns for some residents, but replied with an emphatic “No” when it was suggested that it would involve a Special Charge Scheme with Trees Adventure, residents and council all contributing.
“I don’t have an issue with the road, I have an issue with the traffic,” she said.
“I’m not convinced that if the road was sealed we wouldn’t still have the same sort of accidents.”
Old Monbulk Road residents Al and Barb (surnames withheld) were also critical of the changes when contacted by the Mail, saying they were an expansion of the original permit.
“It’s a good operating business in the wrong place. We know we’re not going to have it shut down, but we don’t want it expanded any further than it is,” Al said.
He said he also strongly objected to sealing the road.
“We have been here 40 or 50 years and had a lovely old country lane,” he said.
“Now, because of Trees Adventure, we’re going to get a sealed highway.
“Their address is 2 Cole Avenue; make the entrance there.”
Town Planner Lynn Pepper from Millar and Merrigan represented Trees Adventure at the council meeting and refuted claims of additional visitor numbers.
She said the changes to the cottage were to provide a shelter for Trees Adventure patrons, including accompanying adults, to have a cup of tea, read a book or wait to pick up participants.
“We don’t expect anybody to walk in,” she said.
She said the circus performances would also not increase visitor numbers.
The proposal is for a daily, one-hour performance by members of the National Institute Of Circus Arts in the week prior to Christmas.
It would be available only to participants of the course who are booked for that time.
Both Councillors Clarke and Witlox spoke of the benefits provided by Trees Adventure as an eco-tourism operation that provided a valuable educational and physical activity, particularly for children.
Cr Clarke told the Mail his discussions with residents led him to believe that the road was the main issue, and said that it was one that could be fixed.
He rejected Cole Avenue, saying the steep drop off at the end of the road made it impossible, and that it would transfer the problem to small streets that didn’t have the capacity to handle the traffic.
Cr Clarke said his conversations led him to believe people (in Old Monbulk Road) would be happy with a basic road seal.
“There are eight properties on that section and when you divide any balance left over after the owners (of Trees Aventure) have put in their contribution, I don’t think it will be much for them to pay,” he said.
Mr Flaster told the Mail the company would initiate the Special Charge Scheme within the next three months and hoped to get the support of residents.
He said they would contribute what they were required to.
For a Special Charge Scheme to go ahead, 70 per cent of residents must agree to it.
