Wednesday, 10 June, 2020
Pakenham
/PakenhamBerwickGazette
pakenham.starcommunity.com.au
@PakenhamGazette
$1.50 Inc. GST
Queen’s honours for local achievers
Pakenham teen in Big Brother house
Remembering the Tynong murders
Football league sets a return date
PAGES 2-5
PAGE 10
PAGE 18
SPORT
GET THE GAZETTE DELIVERED to your HOME 12450927-NG24-20
Cannibal crowds By Mitchell Clarke Hordes of people flocked to Mt Cannibal over the long weekend, reigniting fears that the popular reserve could follow a similar shutdown to the 1000 Steps and Warburton’s Redwood Forest. The reserve will close to the public between Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 June for scheduled car park works, however Cardinia Shire Council hasn’t guaranteed the park will reopen as planned. The Queen’s Birthday long weekend proved the perfect opportunity to venture outside, but with the car park at capacity, vehicles were forced to spill onto Garfield North Road, defying warnings from authorities. “Avoid parks that are usually busy on a weekend, and if a car park is full, no more people can visit that site. Do not join vehicle queues or park illegally ... go to an alternative destination,” a Department of Transport spokesperson said. But according to the Friends of Mount Cannibal Group, more than 70 parked cars were recorded along the road at one time. Friends of Mt Cannibal president Mark Hocking said the park has been experiencing its highest visitor numbers. “There’d be almost 200 people on the mountain at any one time over the weekend,” Mr Hocking said. “There’s definitely an issue with the numbers. This would be the biggest crowds we’ve seen here because people don’t really have anywhere else to go. “We’re noticing a lot of families, likely because local sport isn’t on as an alternative.” He said the “concerning“ crowd numbers had been reported to the council. Cardinia Shire Council’s pandemic response unit team leader, Janette Schimleck, said the “complex” situation was being monitored. “We were disappointed to hear of crowds attending the site over the long weekend, especially given the State and Federal Government’s social distancing and gatherings regulations are still in force,” Ms Schimleck said.
DESIGNER EYEWEAR
On this occasion, more than 40 cars were pictured on the roadside. Pictures: SUPPLIED
EDEN RISE PAKENHAM CASEY OPTICAL OPTOMETRIST OPTICAL 03 9705 2058 03 5941 2277 03 8786 8088 03 5941 2277 03 9705 2058 03 8786 8088 Shop 9, E den Ri s e Shopping Centre Cnr O’shea & Clyde Rds, B erwi ck VIC 3806
DIVORCE Visit: www.mepsteadlawyers.com.au and book an online appointment today
Appointments via Video-link Available www.mepsteadlawyers.com.au 108 Main Street Pakenham | P 5941 5166
12446324-DL16-20
Frame & Lenses + F R E E Second Pair
Shop 105, Casey Central, 400 Narre Warre Cranbourne Rd, Narre Warren South 3805
ness had boomed since the site reopened. “We got shut down overnight, so anything that helps is quite important, and this is just huge for us and it’s huge for the town,” he said. “On Saturday mornings the cafe is filled with people in active wear and you just know where they’ve been.” Mr Alden-Brown acknowledged concerns relating to the increased traffic but said closing the mountain wasn’t the answer. “I understand the traffic concerns, it is crazy, but it’s only for a few hours on the weekend,” he said. “I agree that something definitely needs to be done, whether that’s reducing the speed limit on the road or something else, I don’t know, but there are people who are just so quick to call for it to be shut down.”
LA W Y E R S
$249*
120 Main Street Pakenham VIC 3810
“Council is carefully considering all current information and advice regarding whether to re-open the site following the construction works this week, and is working in consultation with Victoria Police to monitor and manage the site. “If you are visiting a public place and it is busy when you arrive, remember to consider how you will meet the minimum 1.5 metre distancing and social gathering regulations, and make alternative plans if it is too busy and you can’t adhere to the guidelines.” But the increased foot traffic has been a welcome boost for local business, which had been struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic. Brad Alden-Brown, who owns the Little Miss Hangry cafe and lives locally, said busi-
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
MEPSTEAD
12419558-CG23-19
from
Sarah, Karen, Elise, Brooke and Jack from Drouin visited Mount Cannibal when the reserve reopened in May. 208670
12443152-JW10-20