South-Eastern Metropolitan Region
David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:42): My question is for the Minister for Water. Access to public land is a right held in the highest regard by the Libertarian Party. We recognise the rights of Victorians to access land that is held by the Crown and is maintained using their taxes. It is the government’s duty to ensure public lands are safe for public access and to be transparent when limiting access to them. Residents of the Timbertop estate in Rowville regularly use the walking tracks in the Tirhatuan wetlands to gain access to essential facilities across the wetlands such as Mulgrave hospital, Rosewood Downs Primary School and public transport hubs. Melbourne Water recently closed the only track connecting these two halves of the police paddocks due to safety concerns. When residents asked what these concerns were they were only given vague and unsatisfactory responses by Melbourne Water. Minister, what are the safety concerns which led Melbourne Water to close the walking tracks in this area, and when can they expect access to be restored?