The future of the Melton Weir family picnic area has come under the spotlight, with community advocates calling for the ageing facility to be saved rather than decommissioned.
The Melton Reservoir stretches along the southern and western edges of the Melton township, with parklands spanning about five kilometres from Brookfield to Weir Views.
Once surrounded by rural land, the weir is now bordered by growing residential areas, with linear parklands and shared trails offering scenic views and recreational opportunities.
In June 2024, Melton council adopted the Melton Weir Parkland Strategy, which sets out a long-term vision to improve access, recreation and tourism opportunities along the weir, as well as a recommendation to decommission the family picnic area.
Melton South resident Ivan Pollock said the plans to decommission the beloved area don’t align with the community’s views.
“It’s a reasonably historic area and it’s been there well over 50 years,” Mr Pollock said.
“I’ve lived in Melton South for 34 years. I used to take my kids there and my son used to go fishing in that area.”
Mr Pollock said he was “flabbergasted” by the site’s current condition, claiming the toilets have not worked for some time and the barbecue plates are heavily rusted.
“They’re just atrocious,” he said.
“They’re willing to sacrifice this picnic area.”
Mr Pollock said discussions with Southern Rural Water (SRW) raised concerns about safety and access near the dam wall, but he believes solutions exist.
“I proposed putting a safety wall across the top of that area,” he said.
According to Mr Pollock, declining maintenance has already changed how the space is used.
“Families have stopped coming. The only people going there now are singles and couples looking at the weir and driving back out again,” he said.
He is now advocating for the decommissioning decision to be removed from council’s strategy and for SRW to support repairs.
“The whole Melton South area lacks recreational facilities and I think it should be saved,” he said.
However, a Southern Rural Water spokesperson told Star Weekly SRW supports council’s decision to decommission the current family picnic area.
“We support decommissioning the existing picnic facilities and play area at Melton Reservoir,” the spokesperson said.
“We are excited to see the current facilities replaced with modern ones in an area that is both safer and closer to the Melton community, for more users to enjoy.”
SRW form part of Melton Weir’s Development Advisory Committee and is reportedly working with council on options to improve recreational facilities and reservoir access closer to the new housing developments in the area.
The Melton Weir Parkland Strategy lists several developments to be constructed over time, including a continuous shared path along the eastern edge of the reservoir, viewing platforms, new play areas, outdoor gyms and fishing platforms, all in conjunction with plans for a decommissioning of the current recreational facilities.
Melton MP Steve McGhie said he hopes for plans to be made to keep and upgrade the neglected picnic area.
“I think it is important that communities have access to public space like the picnic area. We saw out of Covid how access to public space for people was so important,” he said.
“I would hope that a plan can be finalised to keep and upgrade the picnic area.”
A Melton council spokesperson told Star Weekly the responsibility of the picnic area lies with SRW.
“The picnic facilities are a Southern Rural Water asset. Any plans to decommission these facilities would be a decision for Southern Rural Water,” they said.
“We want to make the Melton Weir Parklands a space for all residents to get outdoors and connect with local nature. We are looking forward to delivering an upgrade to the playspace on Marriott Boulevard this year, including a picnic area, basketball half court and play space improvements.”
