Cardinia Mayor's Speech
at
'official opening'*
of the Fishers Loop Walking Track
The
Wilderness Society joined forces with the UBAG to 'officially open'
the
wonderful Fishers Loop Walking Track in the '350 Upper Bunyip' forestry
block
on Sunday 27 October.
* The
Fishers Loop is not officially listed by NRE/DSE as a 'walking track'
-
and the Mayor correctly drew attention to this fact in his opening speech.
(The term "Fishers
Loop Walking Track" was coined by Bob Thompson, President of the
UBAG.)
The Mayor of Cardinia Shire (Keith Ewenson) said:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thanks for the invitation to join you today. Let me explain why the Mayor of Cardinia would be here today.
As a Council, we have expressed to the authority that we deplore logging in this area. Because it disrupts the environment. Pollutes the waterways. Increases soil erosion.
A preferred
activity would be tourism encouraging walkers through this forest area.
The only response has been what you have heard today of delayed deployment
of the devastation. May I suggest this gives you more time to lobby
members of Parliament to save this area from destruction and possibly
add it to the State Park.
Cardinia Council would like to think this was a "Walking Track" to appreciate this magnificent area. In reality it is an unmaintained and semi-overgrown vehicle route which NRE have not endorsed for walking purposes.
Let's not kid ourselves - me cutting a ribbon and declaring the track open does not make it a legal walking track. I'm not authorised to do something that is not legal, but what it does show is Cardinia's preference for it to be a declared walking track. It highlights the opportunities today. It gives you greater time to negotiate a permanent change.
Should you be walking today, take care - it is your responsibility.
So now, without further ado - the cutting of the ribbon on what we hope to be a permanent Walking Track of the future. What about a count down?"
 |
Mayor
Keith Ewenson "opening" the Fishers Loop Walking Track on
27 October, 2002 |