Watering issues at the HV McKay Memorial Gardens will be cleared up as soon as possible, Brimbank council is promising.
Connection of a new irrigation system at the gardens in Sunshine has been at the root of a long-running stoush between the Friends of HV McKay Memorial Gardens and the council.
The council assured the group that City West Water would complete connection of the system last Friday but plans fell through.
Infrastructure and environment director Neil Whiteside said unforeseen delays in installing the irrigation system had held up the project in the past two years.
“Council shares the frustration of the friends of the gardens,” he said.
“The delays stem from the works tender process and unforeseen delays in the process of connecting the gardens’ new irrigation system to the power and water systems.”
‘Lost all confidence’
Friends spokeswoman Catherine McDonald said she held little hope of the issue being resolved as connection had already been rescheduled three times this year.
A tender for the $226,000 project was awarded in March, 2015.
Ms McDonald said the group had “lost all confidence in council”.
“For eight long years, we’ve endured Brimbank council’s failed attempts to install a functional irrigation system,” she said.
“More than 12 months after the tender process and many tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage later, the system is still not switched on. The gardens were without maintenance while construction of the irrigation system took place and no one told the council parks officers to return after the construction was finished.
“Because of the nonfunctioning watering system, council trucks used for watering have caused massive rutting and destruction of lawns and damage to the expensive path system … which is expected to cost council more than $40,000.”
Mr Whiteside said the council recognised the heritage importance of the gardens and was committed to enhancing it.
“Council is working closely with the Friends of HV McKay Memorial Gardens to develop a new management plan to ensure the gardens continue to improve and are effectively managed to high standards now and in the future,” he said.
“During the delay period council has been undertaking manual watering as required to maintain the gardens.
“There has been some damage to the gardens that council is keen to have fixed. The damage was caused by construction of the irrigation system as well as impacts of projects such as the Regional Rail Link and unauthorised access into the gardens by contractors and visitors.”
