‘Inland Route’ puts farming at risk

We read with interest the announcement by the Bass Coast Shire Council and local MP Jordan Crugnale last week that $7.7 million has been committed to a shared pathway between Inverloch and Wonthaggi.

The proposed route for the path turns off a dangerous sweeping bend on Toorak Road Inverloch, continues up Drowleys Road before heading out across uninteresting farm paddocks, via unused road reserves to Wonthaggi.

Some of these reserves (over two kilometres long) are heavily treed, and covered in remnant, original vegetation.

We are one of the farm owners affected by this proposal. We have serious concerns about the potential for disruption to agricultural production, biosecurity, personal property and security as well as the destruction of countless kilometres of vegetation reserves.

The pathway crosses through our farm, cutting through the middle of the same title and dividing important infrastructure, like yards and equipment, from the Angus cattle grazing operation.

It will adversely affect the ongoing use of what is a very productive farm.

Bass Coast’s Rural Land Strategy Vision and key strategic directions support agriculture and discourage the fragmentation of rural land. These guidelines are clearly set out. The proposed pathway contradicts these guidelines.

Although we note that the shire says the proposed inland pathway was developed during the Aspirational Pathway Plan process of 2016-17, with consultation reportedly undertaken between February and May 2017, the first we were made aware of this proposal as affected landholders was in 2018 when we noticed it on a draft active plan released to the community.

We don’t believe that the impact on farming has been given sufficient weight in the selection of this route and would be interested to know what impact studies were presented at the time the decision taken.

Stuart Scott and family, Inverloch.