By Peter Douglas
Trees Adventure in Belgrave has won its battle to increase opening hours, and this will help meet increasing demand.
Since opening the adventure playground seven years ago, management say visitation levels have increased substantially, now reaching around 35,000 annually.
To better meet this demand, in particular from school groups, they have successfully sought to increase opening hours from an 11am start to a 9am start – from Wednesday through to Fridays – which Yarra Ranges Council approved at its Tuesday 28 March meeting.
The amendment will also include the 9am early start on Mondays and Tuesdays during public or school holidays.
The park will open from 9am to 5pm on weekends.
A requirement of this amendment is for Trees Adventure to cover the cost of sealing the adjacent Old Monbulk Road, which is in major need of an upgrade.
Trees Adventure operates on a 8ha block of mostly forest land, in which visitors enjoy flying foxes, tight-ropes and various obstacles.
Though, the decision to extend opening hours has upset many nearby residents.
Representing these residents, Priscillia Warr implored council not to support the move.
“Amenity issues for residents have been documented many times; these include uncontrolled noise, lack of privacy, dust on dry periods,” she said.
“People say to me, you’ve always had Puffing Billy there, what’s the problem with noise; this is just people up in trees.
“The difference is that Puffing Billy is a steam engine, tooting, making engine noises – when you hear people screaming in the trees, it is something that you automatically respond to.
“(Also) safety issues from the increase in traffic along the unsealed, steep section of Old Monbulk Road; there are no footpaths to separate pedestrians and vehicles.”
Ms Warr said she represented 20 residents, who had indicated they did not support any increase in hours, no matter the conditions attached to the permit.
“Even though planners have recommended three days instead of five, this is still a net gain in hours and a net loss in amenity for residents,” she said.
Co-founder and director Marc Flaster said visitors were being forced to book three to four weeks in advance, not two to three days, which proved they were at full capacity.
“We went to VCAT in 2013 to ask for extended hours, and we were told to come back when at full capacity,” he said.
“That’s what we are at now, every school holiday, public holidays and weekends.
“Schools (often) state we’re only open at 11am during the week, (which) is an issue for some of the schools.”
Meanwhile, Cr Mike Clarke has put forward a successful alternative recommendation which will see the sealing of the Old Monbulk Road.
“While noise has been a major issue, this road has deteriorated significantly,” he said.
“This is an opportunity to help the community recover from that impact.
“If we don’t approve these extra hours, you’re still going to have that impact on road anyway.
