By Peter Douglas
A series of drinking fountains at the 1000 Steps is one stage closer to becoming a reality.
In a sod-turning event that has Parks Victoria staff bubbling over with excitement, Aston MP Alan Tudge and La Trobe MP Jason Wood joined Parks Victoria area chief ranger, Matt Hoogland, to oversee the project’s beginning on Tuesday 26 September.
The water fountains will drastically cut the amount of rubbish left at the tourist hot-spot, which largely comprises water bottles from walkers.
Parks Victoria staff spend an estimated 100 hours annually cleaning up the rubbish.
A regular walker of the 1000 steps, Mr Wood said he’d witnessed first-hand the level of trash left.
“I see it in the Monday morning after a weekend when there’s all rubbish. The parks guys shouldn’t be picking up everyone’s rubbish,” he said.
“With so many people using this track each year, the amount of rubbish being left behind is becoming an issue.”
Mr Hoogland said the issue had compounded, with the number of users reaching between 700,000 and 800,000 each year.
“We’ve been monitoring visitor numbers since 2012. That figure is seven or eight AFL grand final crowds at a location like this annually, or as many as 2000 walkers every day,” he said.
“On weekends, that number can spike to as high as 6000 in a day.”
Both Mr Wood and Mr Hoogland agreed that parking was an issue that needed to be managed carefully, given the popularity of the spot, as well as the need to respect nearby residents and the environment.
“There are 177 car spaces available, with some additional parking nearby,” Mr Hoogland said.
“But I encourage people to act in accordance with signage; it’s clearly marked. Don’t park in front of a gate where emergency access may be required. Fines may apply.”
