A group of Taylors Lakes residents believe they are being stonewalled in their attempts to improve the wetlands behind their properties.
The residents say the Shellduck Lake wetlands has become a breeding ground for snakes, mosquitoes and illegal rubbish dumping.
Long-time Dutchman Court resident Joe Skarecky, whose property backs on to the wetlands, said the site was originally a lake where people fished, but it was turned into wetlands about 10 years ago.
He said residents were keen to see the area tidied up and returned to being a lake. But after 18 months of meetings with Brimbank council and Melbourne Water, he felt their concerns were falling on deaf ears.
“It’s frustrating. This is supposed to be a park, not a swamp.”
Fellow resident Maria Blazevic said a 2008 Brimbank council masterplan for The Lakes Reserve, which includes Shellduck Lake, details plans to transform the area into a district park, with footbridges, sustainable lake edges, paths and decks, picnic and barbecue facilities, additional landscaped areas, and a playground.
Brimbank council’s infrastructure and environment director, Paul Younis, said it was unlikely the wetlands would again become a lake. “Melbourne Water and the council are exploring ways in which management of the wetland could be improved,” Mr Younis said.
“The Lakes Reserve masterplan, which was developed with the surrounding community, embraces the wetlands and includes upgraded pathways and a bridge structure adjoining Shellduck Lake.”
Cameron Howie, of Melbourne Water, said Shellduck Lake was functioning as designed and helping to prevent nitrogen and sediment from impacting downstream waterways and Port Phillip Bay.
