Just maintenance of the Hobsons Bay foreshore

Dear Goya, I read your report, Smelly Sludge Turns Dog Beach into Demolition Zone, in today’s (October 2) Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Weekly, page 5. To say I am surprised and disappointed is an understatement. Even though you have presented the concerns of Mr Jason Bryce and the reply of the council you have not given the complete story. I appreciate and and admire Mr Price for his concern over the environment, but he should not be concerned in this instance. There are signs posted explaining what will be done and why, and it has been done for at least the last three years. 

The area is a disused local tip that has been reclaimed, so please take time to ask the council what the plans for the area are over the next three years and you will be pleasantly surprised. The work previously had taken a month to complete, however, this year the contractors only took a fortnight to complete their work and a splendid job they have done. The sand is already (October 3) bleached to white and children are happily playing with their parents and dogs on it. The bulldozer operator working on the site told me that the sand is to be extended another 100 metres along the shore to  a small rocky outcrop. The beach then will be spectacular for animals and people alike..

The dredging is not leading to any deterioration in wildlife, both sea or land as the number of fishing boats offshore will attest. The area offshore is a major fishing zone. Also, last year dolphins were swimming a mere 50 metres from the boat wreck that is settled in the centre of our beach. Snakes are abundant in the area and any dog owner walking through there will tell you stories of close encounters both in the bushes and in the water. Crabs, gulls, waders, ducks, herons, spoonbills, pelicans and many other species frequent the area.

It is not a demolition zone, it is just yearly maintenance and improvement of a fantastic part of the Hobsons Bay foreshore. As a dog lover and daily walker along the beach I appreciate what is being done and happily put up with a small, short inconvenience knowing that the beach will be improved.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely, Roy Scarff and Louie, my poodle and constant beachwalking companion.