Friday’s Black Spur filming

LOCAL residents driving on the Black Spur section of the Maroondah Highway on Friday, July 21 faced delays of up to 20 minutes while filming took place for a television series. There were concerns that drivers hadn’t been advised that delays were possible.

Contacted about the issue, a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said, “The Department of Transport and Planning provided a permit for a production company to film on a section of the Maroondah Highway on Friday, July 21 provided the company adhered to a comprehensive traffic management plan designed to minimise disruption to road users.

“As a condition of the permit, the company was required to make adequate efforts to inform the general public of the activity. Not all the conditions in the permit were met. The matter will be followed up with the applicant.”

The Department of Transport and Planning granted a permit for a production company to film on the Maroondah Highway between Fernshaw Picnic Ground and Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area on July 21 between 6am and 3pm.

Temporary road closures were needed so that filming equipment, including drones and camera mounts, would not pose a distraction or safety risk to those travelling through the area.

Speed limit reductions were also in place to provide a safe working environment for the Victoria Police who were overseeing the activity, traffic management personnel and those filming.

There are no further requests to film on this road.