Murrindindi Council will next week consider an application on behalf of a number of residents of Mulqueeny Lane, Yea, to amend the Section 173 Agreement which restricts residents from having direct access, through gates in rear fences, to the Yea Racecourse and Recreation Reserve.

Murrindindi Shire Council General Manager Infrastructure and Developmen, Stuart McConnell, said this restriction was established at the time these residences were developed. The restriction, designed to protect public safety and ensure secure access, was the result of objections raised by the golf club, the racing club and the Yea Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management.

“Mulqueeny Lane, Yea, shares a boundary on its west side with the Yea Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, and if people have private access between their residences and the reserve, basic safety measures can’t be maintained. In particular, security is required where horses are galloping and where treated wastewater is being used for irrigation,” Mr McConnell said.

“While these events might not be happening every day, they are significant enough to have warranted the legal restriction on direct access – which is on the titles of every property in Mulqueeny Lane and has been since 2005.

“We don’t put these restrictions in place without reason, we think very carefully about applying them as they are legally-binding agreements. In this case, safety concerns about activities that happen on the reserve justified restricting private access to the land.

“Councillors and Council Officers have sought advice from the residents, users of the reserve, the Committee of Management and relevant agencies about this issue. Council maintains its position on the need for the restriction to remain in place to protect the long term use of the site.

“So, at next week’s Council Meeting, our Council Officers will be recommending to Council that they do not support the Section 173 Agreement change to allow private access to the Yea Racecourse and Recreation Reserve,” Mr McConnell said.

The Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held at 6pm, Wednesday, June 27, in the Alexandra Chambers on Perkins St; members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

– Contributed