IN place for just one week, new wire fencing added to a walking track in Trigg Bushland Reserve has been cut.
The City of Stirling introduced 1.4m tall fencing to bushland near Duart Road to encourage walkers to stick to a designated limestone track.
Stirling Mayor David Boothman said the creation of numerous trails throughout the area had damaged bushland over the years and affected biodiversity.
“The fence is also to protect several emerging young tuart seedlings through this part of the reserve and also prevent the spread of dieback disease if present,” he said.
Supporting use of the paths, Friends of Trigg Bushland president Peter Alcock said it was sad that people who professed to love the bush would want to stray from dedicated tracks and cut fencing to gain access.
“It’s a selfish approach, rather than a long-term community approach,” he said.
“People who don’t support it (the fencing) see the bush as an extension of their backyard.”
Stirling councillor Bill Stewart said he hosted a recent community forum at the site for residents to discuss the fencing and most of the 60 people who attended objected to it.
An attendee at the forum, Trigg resident Keith Shadbolt, said he was opposed to the new fencing as it detracted from the opportunity for people to experience local bushland.
“The council should be more considerate of the health and social aspects of people using the minor tracks of the bushland, not just the environmental grounds,” he said.
A majority of people who attended the forum called for the City to consider removing the fencing and consult the community about any further works.
Cr Boothman said the City would repair the recent damage to fencing and routinely check the area in conjunction with the Friends of Trigg Bushland group.