Melbourne Water has given me notice of what they regard as a serious breach
of access arrangements and asked me to remind birders of those arrangements
and that the Western Treatment Plant is a hazardous site.
Following the recent & extremely unfortunate death of a worker at the
Eastern Treatment Plant, Melbourne Water has been reviewing its procedures.
During this process, when Head Office personnel were making a tour of the
Western Treatment Plant, they discovered two birders on foot (because they
did not have a key they simply walked in), who did not have a birdwatching
permit (but knew permits were required), and had not been inducted. Their
excuse was they had been brought into the Plant before by other birders who
had a permit and thought it would be okay. It is selfish actions like this
that could spoil access for all other birders. Given the tremendous effort
by both BOCA and Birds Australia to maintain access for birders some years
ago, no-one wants this issue to be reopened.
Could I please implore everyone who visits the site to take the trouble to
get a permit, do the simple one hour induction (which gives you access to
areas east of Little River and is therefore of benefit to your birding) and
always act in a way which is responsible and reflects well on birders.
Surely it is not much to ask to ensure we can continue to enjoy the best
birding site in Victoria.
John Barkla
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