Locals expressed their sadness that a picturesque Pakenham pond had become a “litter infected wasteland” after years of apparent neglect.
Duncan Drive’s lily pond was a jewel in Pakenham’s crown when it opened over 30 years ago.
But according to passionate local advocate Cheryl Billing Smith, the pond is an “eyesore”.
“Once upon a time, the Henty family, one of Victoria’s first families came to Pakenham and in their wisdom they developed this lily pond,” Ms Billing Smith said.
“In its hay day it was magnificent, however, as is the usual modus operandum of Cardinia Shire Council it is now a neglected, overgrown, weed and litter infected wasteland.”
Ms Billing Smith told Star News she was saddened to visit the pond recently and see the mud, rubbish and weeds.
“It could have been a jewel in our crown, it could have been a destination for garden lovers, it could have been a fitting tribute and fitting memorial to Victoria’s first family, the Henty’s that gave so much,” she said.
“And what do we do to repay their gift? We neglect it, we mismanage it and we ignore it.
“Perhaps in neglecting it and mismanaging it council staff and councillors hope that we won’t notice that they leave it to rot and then fill it in and develop the site with more houses, units and shops.”
A Cardinia Shire spokesperson said the lily pond was maintained by the shire.
“The council maintains the front nature strip mowing and the vegetated swale that runs parallel along Duncan Drive,” they said.
“The council has plans to complete some tree works and replanting along the banks in the new financial year.
“The council is currently working on a project with Pakenham Secondary College to beautify the north eastern corner of the lily
pond which is the area under their management. The school has scheduled future works and students will be interacting with the lily pond as part of their curriculum studies.”
Previously, the shire had described the pond as being of “continuing historical significance”.
