The fight to save two small lakes at a Wallington aged care residence has received the backing of two local MPs.
TLC Homestead Lakes Residential Aged Care plans to drain two stormwater dams to make room for more car parking.
However a local protest group is continuing to voice their concerns over the decision, with MPs Lisa Neville and Andy Merrick in full support.
The two ‘lakes’ had provided a safe haven for waterfowl, turtles and frogs for nearly 20 years, said objector Heidi Wane.
Ms Neville and Mr Merrick wrote to Ms Wane declaring their support for the cause.
“The filling of the lakes is a matter that I have used my time in the chamber to raise and ask the government to step in and protect them,” Mr Merrick wrote.
“The fact that filling in the lakes will result in the suffocating deaths of countless frogs and turtles and a loss in habitat for waterbirds is simply unacceptable.”
Ms Neville sent a letter to TLC on 22 February urging it to reconsider.
“Given this issue has not bee resolved, as a matter of urgency I will again write to TLC Aged Care to reiterate my full and strong support for the retention of the lakes and through my office seek a meeting with the CEO,” she wrote.
Ms Wane organised a second protest at TLC last week that was attended by dozens of people.
However, Council confirmed TLC Aged Care had a permit and the right to carry out the works on its own property.
Council issued the permit for the expansion project more than a year ago, a Council spokesperson said.
The works included an integrated medical centre, road construction and access as well as some removal of native vegetation, the spokesperson said.
“Under the planning scheme there is no cause to stop works undertaken in line with the planning permit.”
TLC Aged Care had a right to fill in the dams because they were on the company’s private property, the spokesperson added.
