In October and November 2020, Council undertook a community survey on a proposal to construct a new shared cycle and pedestrian pathway and a new playground at Harry Evans Park, Arana Hills between Dinterra Avenue and Jane Street.
While the proposed alignment of the shared pathway had been selected to minimise impact on the native vegetation and wildlife, after extensive ecological assessment and consideration of views and advice from the community, the likely impacts on the environment were considered too great. The project will therefore take a new direction and not proceed as initially proposed.
The natural environment is important to both Council and the local community. In 2022, Council undertook rehabilitation works in Harry Evans Park to improve the ecological resilience of the area, restore riparian zones and improve water quality. The rehabilitation works involved:
- Removing and managing recurrence of environment weeds such as Cat’s Claw Creeper and Chinese Elm trees (Celtis)
- Planting approximately 5,800 native plants including canopy trees. A range of species will be planted including Koala food trees such as Eucalyptus Tereticornis
- Removing the fence at the Dinterra Avenue end of the park and replacing the fence between the former Scouts Hall and the bushland.
Residents should note that maintenance activities to protect and maintain the sewer easement and associated infrastructure may still need to occur in the future.
The old and non-compliant scout hall near Dinterra Avenue will be demolished. This land will be rehabilitated and converted to open space once the building is removed. The Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club have been relocated to a brand-new building in James Drysdale Reserve, Bunya.
Council would like to thank the community for their feedback on this project. We will continue to explore further options to upgrade our active transport network and improve connectivity in The Hills District, including progressing a design study for a pedestrian bridge across Kedron Brook at Boundary Park, Everton Hills.
