During the establishment of Anchoridge estate, the wetlands that follows along Naturaliste Way was not only a focal point to the growing community, but a main motivator for potential buyers when considering the area. 

 Anchoridge is a pristine estate, filled with dedicated homeowners, including young families and active citizens who are eager to utilise the prestigious outdoor recreational areas and amenities promised to them.  Prior to early to mid-2022, the wetlands water was of a high level, and ultimately a high standard. It invited an immense amount of beautiful wildlife and, in turn, created a home to young flora and fauna. The wetlands saw water levels that accommodated local aquatic birds to swim and bathe, and the community were even privy to witness the birth of family of swans. The surroundings were nothing short of magical, and truly admired. Being that there is a constant flow of people walking their dogs, exercising, or spending quality outdoor time with their families, it’s to be expected that adequate maintenance of the wetlands is upheld to continue the already strong community pride. 

Since the sudden decrease in water levels, however, an immediate decrease in tranquillity has occurred; Aquatic wildlife have declined, freshly planted flora has begun to die off and excessive rubbish is being swept into unmaintained sludge areas. The appearance of the once beautiful serenity has now become an embarrassment. Many beautiful birds which once bathed and dove for food have since retreated from the area. Those birds that remained now call home 2 inches of muddy water. 

These events have induced outrage and disappointment amongst the Anchoridge community. Homeowners feel hard done by and deceived, as the largest selling point of the estate has not been delivered as promised. This dissatisfaction has been highlighted through the local community page. Multiple different households have been told conflicting stories of the intended water levels and have been left bemused that there was never any warning prior to their purchase, coincidently the waters decrease coincided with the adjacent wetlands on the opposing side of Barwon Heads Road. Hardly seems like a coincidence…

In a recent statement from Anchoridge Land Sales, it is claimed that the water levels were  ‘..[initially] higher than the design levels’ and that their plan to rectify the situation is to replant and rejuvenate the wetlands waterline (not to commence until Feb 2023, however.) Anchoridge then goes on to half-heartedly acknowledge that they ‘appreciate the [communities] patience’ however recognises that the plants dying off and muddy banks surrounding the wetlands has left an ‘undesirable appearance’.

Although the estate has bandaged the issue with promises of future plants and brush matting, how will this influence the rise of the water levels to re-establish a sustainable and unspoiled habitat? With water so partial at this stage in the peak of winter, is the community to expect a dry pond In the midst of summer?

Additionally, if an alternative water level was always the ‘design plan’ in the Anchoridge estate, why was this not made apparent to excited home buyers? A community, hungry and ready to sign over their life savings, with the understanding that the wetlands they were seeing in 2021 was the one that would continue into 2022. Why have there been conflicting information from land sales reps as the community shares the stories they have received, to justify the distasteful change in environment?

Is the sudden explanatory emails and letterbox drops from the Anchoridge estate a panicked attempt to rectify that they have mislead and broke the trust of the recent homebuyers?  The community of Anchoridge estate is calling for the original water levels to be restored. By signing this petition, you are encouraging the replenishment of the wetlands that the community was promised and deserves.