By Mitchell Clarke
Residents of Fallingwater Estate have come together to create a ‘Friends of Kennedy Creek’ group and are in the process of forming an official residents group in a bid to maintain the area and bring the community together.
A number of residents met with Gembrook MP Brad Battin on Sunday 20 October for a barbecue to discuss the future of the creek, which has been plagued by increasing amounts of rubbish.
Heavily overgrown shrubs and large broken branches are a common site in the area with some residents reporting seeing alcohol bottles, mattresses and even electronic goods being dumped at the site.
Mr Battin’s barbecue follows a meeting in August where he called on Cardinia Shire Council and Melbourne Water to maintain the area.
“It was great to host the barbecue on Sunday with residents to assist in the formation of the Fallingwater Residents Group,” Mr Battin said.
“I look forward to seeing the group grow over the next few months, working together to make their local community a better place.”
Fallingwater Estate resident Brijal Parikh said Mr Battin has been instrumental in getting action on the site.
“If Brad hadn’t intervened, I don’t think we’d be where we are today,” he said.
In August, Melbourne Water confirmed they were responsible for maintaining the Kennedy Creek waterway while regular rubbish removal and weed control works were shared between them and council.
“As residents, we’re happy to share the clean up because we believe it’s not only the responsibility of Melbourne Water and council, but we would like a little bit of help,” Mr Parikh said.
One resident, Claire Sunderland has been dedicating her time to picking up rubbish around the creek every morning and said each day she manages to fill one bag.
“If everyone had one small bag with them while they are out walking and filled it, this problem would soon be under control,” she said.
“I understand that you can never stop people from littering or the wind blowing rubbish into and around the creek, but you can always pick it up.”
In the meantime, Brijal has said he will meet with a council representative to discuss receiving a grant to assist in forming an official resident group.
