Last week the Doc Homebrew sent the following letter to Parks Victoria:
I regularly ride to work along the Dandenong Creek Trail and I reckon that I have one of the best commutes in Melbourne. I have noticed a significant increase in bicycle traffic on this trial over the past few months too, which is great! While I am grateful for the work that Parks Victoria have done on this trail, there are some maintenance issues that I would like to draw to your attention:
While the gravel track section between Boronia Road and Koomba Park was resurfaced last year (thank you), there is a small section of this track (approx 200 metres) just before the Koomba wetlands boardwalk that was not included in these works and is badly in need of resurfacing as it is very narrow and the surface is very patchy.
On this same stretch of track there is a sharp left turn (when heading towards Jells Park) approx 100 metres from the start of the boardwalk. The track is quite narrow here and the surface is loose gravel. Furthermore the view around this corner is obsured by a dense clump of tea-tree scrub. This is very dangerous - I have had 3 near-misses with other cyclists on this corner in the past 2 weeks. Would it be possible for the tea-tree to be cut back and/or a parabolic mirror to be erected on this corner to improve visibility and safety?
There are a number of nail heads protruding on the Koomba wetlands boardwalk, especially at the bridge over the creek. Could these be repaired, as a puncture or ripped tyre really spoils a bike ride?
Similarly on the Marlborough St bridge in the Ringwood/Heathmont section of the trial, there are a number of nail heads protruding. Could these also be repaired?
Thank you for considering these issues as I feel that along with improving the trail for cyclists, there are safety concerns that should be addressed.
And what do you know? This afternoon the reply had come back:
Thanks for your e-mail re the Paths in Koomba Park.
Regarding your four concerns please see below.
Next time a machine on site, it will widen the narrow sections of the path nearest the start of the boardwalk.
Some of the trees on the bend have been cut back to improve site lines, with further works planned in the next week or so. We are currently discussing the best long term solution and availability of equipment to undertake the works effectively.
The boardwalk was walked this morning and inspected it for protruding screws
Parks Victoria does not manage this section of the boardwalk. You will have to contact the local council in the area to have this item attended to.
Doc Homebrew is suitably impressed, but he's waiting to inspect the work before he gets too carried away.
Anyway there you go—there's no harm in asking!