Multi Sport Stadium Consultation Summary
Written Comments – Volume 2
September 2015
Prepared by SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd
www.sglgroup.net
SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd
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SGL also has offices in: • Auckland • Christchurch • Wellington
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 16.2015) - 21 September 2015 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net
Table of Contents 1 Online Feedback ...... 1 1.1 Introduction ...... 1 2 Written Comments – Community Survey ...... 27 2.1 Introduction ...... 27
Directory of Tables
TABLE 1.1 ONLINE FEEDBACK ...... 1 TABLE 2.1 COMMUNITY SURVEY WRITTEN COMMENTS ...... 27
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 16.2015) - 21 September 2015 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net
1 Online Feedback
1.1 Introduction Residents were invited to provide feedback and comment to the proposed development via an email to Council. A total of 67 written submissions were received. The following provides a copy of each submission is detailed below. A summary of the key themes is detailed in Volume One.
Table 1.1 Online Feedback No. Online Comments 1 Date 19 May 2015 Response Has there been any consideration for an indoor/outdoor court? I was thinking of a synthetic surface that could be an outdoor space that could be used by multiple sports, but possibly be closed in so that it is an indoor space. Or, just an outdoor synthetic pitch that could be attached to, and therefore part of, the indoor centre. This could be used by multiple groups and would be a good option to direct soccer clubs in for pre-season to take the pressure off ground usage. 2 Date 28 May 2015 Response I would like to support the plan for a new stadium in Darebin. My daughters play basketball for Shooters and I think having access to facilities such as this would be wonderful. 3 Date 28 May 2015 Response Hi there, I received the letter in the mail and just wanted to write in support of this proposal. As a basketball family my husband currently travels to Albert Park and we have given up taking my son to Collingwood due to the traffic. A closer option would be most welcome. I am sure a local option would increase participation rates, particularly for children's sport. As a girl all the girls I knew played netball but I notice very few at my son's school play - in part I am sure due to the few options available. I am not sure of the best location, however adjacent to the Northcote pool might be good, as non-players could go for a swim or to the gym! There is a parking issue here though, as the car park is already very full. An issue we have when taking our older child to sport is keeping the smaller kids entertained. An outdoor area with seating and a small playground would be an excellent addition to the design. Also, having been to some courts I notice they are very closed and indoorsy with no view to the outside. Is there any reason why these stadiums can't have a wall of glass doors that can be opened to let air in during the hotter months and allow a nice aspect to a view of parkland/nature? It might keep the players calmer. 4 Date 1 June 2015 Response This email is in response to the request for feedback from Darebin Council regarding a proposed multi-sports stadium. I’d like to feedback the following comments: Overall - great fantastic idea, bring it on. Location Near a secondary school would enhance use of the facility and get younger people into sports; It shouldn’t be built near the existing facility on Darebin Rd. Northcote secondary school is close to transport, in the southern area of the Darebin area, has space for such a facility and is in a different location to the existing facility on Darebin Rd. Use – I expect my daughter would use it. I enjoy volleyball and such a local facility could encourage me back into that. Types of facilities – all those listed in the letter inviting feedback. Indoor cricket
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 1 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments could also be considered. Increasing participation rates – the amount of use it will get will depend on the detail – its location, access to public transport, accessibility to those that would use it, its functionality and design, etc. 5 Date 1 June 2015 Response I am a resident of the south western section of Thornbury and rate payer for two residential properties in this area of Darebin. I have paid rates in Darebin for 15 years. I have 3 primary school aged children who collectively are engaged in a range of sports including soccer, Aussie rules football, cricket, netball and basketball. Our family would certainly utilise and benefit from a new sports stadium such as that which is proposed. We are also a family who use bikes and walking to commute to and from our local primary school as well as work and university. We value proximity of our home to facilities that are important to us. I write to strongly oppose the use of Mayer Park for development into an indoor/ outdoor sports stadium. Mayer Park is a valuable outdoor recreational space well used by soccer and cricket clubs, and informally by exercise groups, families, dog walkers and primary school groups, among others. It sits in an environmentally sensitive wedge adjacent to the Merri Creek. Council imposes stringent protective conditions upon residential development adjacent to this area in recognition of its environmental value. Building the stadium on this land would have a number of serious deleterious implications for this part of Darebin. The facility would displace a number of formal sporting clubs. It would also remove access to a number of exercise options for many local residents. Many residents who currently use Mayer Park would not utilise formal basketball /netball courts (e.g. elderly residents). Consequences such as these directly undermine the rationale that such a facility would combat sedentary lifestyles of individuals within the area. Locating a large sports complex in this area would significantly worsen traffic which is already very problematic, particularly along Normanby Avenue where vehicles are regularly backed up at standstill for hundreds of metres at various times during weekdays and weekends already. We understand that council is already aware of concerns from a large number of residents in this area about current inadequate traffic management on Normanby Avenue. However, with alarm we note that the Options Report states that Normanby Ave is "capable of carrying an increased volume of traffic", which indicates an inadequate assessment of this matter has been undertaken. We believe that there could be alternative strategies for improving fitness and activity of local residents by better utilising the space at Mayer Park. These may include installation of one netball/basketball court and/or a half-court for informal/ recreational users to access on an ad hoc basis. No comparable facility exists in this local area. In terms of providing a community focal point, installation of community gardening spaces would be consistent with an environmentally sensitive area such as this. Children's play equipment would also be well utilised by locals, as well as those visiting Mayer Park for sport events. Our strong preference would be that Darebin builds this facility using any of the many under- utilised or disused industrial sites within the south of the municipality. The conversion of public open space into built forms is not desirable and contrary to good urban planning practices. Should the council be determined to develop open space in this way, we would ask that Darebin focus their development decision making upon the other proposed sites which have the advantage of better public transport infrastructure, wider roads, other built sporting facilities adjacent to the site to enable establishment of a sporting hub, and/or abundant adjacent green publicly accessible spaces to continue to accommodate current users of those open park areas. Thank you for the opportunity to present my views about the proposed location for the new sport stadium. We look forward to its eventual opening, and applaud council's initiative in increasing such facilities in our municipality.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 2 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 6 Date 2 June 2015 Response I believe new sports stadiums are a great idea and use would increase once they are built as teams are formed to compete there. I think the best location would be at the park opposite Northland shopping centre. That location is well serviced by public transport (walk from tram / train, and bus interchange across the road). It would add life to a dark area and therefore improve safety in that zone. It would also assist in the regeneration of that area. I believe the stadium should have a mix of indoor and outdoor courts and facilities should include leisure facilities to again allow greater population to visit them (e.g. cafes for parents etc.). Again more people at this location will assist to improve the amenities. Alternatively, using one of the sites opposite the park on Gower st (currently seems to be disused warehouses and the like) would improve the area significantly. I believe once built it would increase sports participation. 7 Date 4 June 2015 Response I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the proposal to develop Mayer Park into an indoor sports stadium. I have been living opposite Mayer Park for over 10 years. During this time, I have witnessed a lot of change in the area – some of it good, and some of it bad. One of the unfortunate changes has been the dramatic increase in traffic along Normanby Ave – during weekday peak hour and almost all day on Saturday, the traffic heading east towards St Georges Road banks back as far as Leinster Grove and beyond. It can easily take 10-15 minutes to travel this short distance by car. Meanwhile, traffic on the narrow residential back streets has increased to dangerous levels, with drivers looking for ways to avoid the bottleneck at the top of Normanby Ave. Finding a car park has also become more of a challenge due to the increase in residential developments, especially in the evening and on weekends. I live in Normanby Avenue, but usually have no choice but to park several blocks behind our home. With three young children (including a child with Down syndrome who is unable to walk long distances and has a tendency to stray), this is already creating stress for our family. Given that Mayer Park is at least a 30 minute walk to either Croxton or Thornbury Stations, I am very worried that the development of a multi-use stadium in the park will add considerably to the traffic and parking problems in the local area and I do not believe that adequate consideration was given to this in the feasibility study. Additional concerns that we have include the irreplaceable loss of this open green space which is much loved and well utilised by local sporting clubs, community groups, fitness enthusiasts, artists, dog walkers and families – not to mention the hot air balloons that visit each autumn and winter. My family uses the park almost daily to exercise and play sport in the fresh air and sunshine, and to watch local teams compete in a free, family friendly, outdoor environment. Whilst I can’t speak for all of the local residents on this issue, the development of an indoor stadium on this site will substantially reduce our participation in team sports and community activities, rather than increase our involvement. This area is also an important catchment for the Merri Creek and I am not convinced that the environmental impact of further development in the area has been fully considered. Finally, the noise and light pollution is a significant concern to residents who live adjacent to the park. As representatives of the Darebin community, I call on you to ensure that these concerns are fully considered and represented at Council. 8 Date 5 June 2015 Response I support the building of the centre. I would use it a lot. Best located around Moreland road (in the middle between YMCA Northcote) and the one in Coburg. Should include multi-function courts and outdoor pool with gym. 9 Date 7 June 2015 Response I am writing to you to strongly oppose the council's proposed building of a sports stadium in Mayer Park. The area is already massively squeezed in terms of traffic congestion and the fact that the council is approving a large amount of apartments to be built all over the place is already contributing to a larger population in the area which by itself is causing huge traffic congestion, this proposed stadium will make matters much much worse.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 3 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments The money would be far better spent improving Mayer Park itself and improving the green spaces of Darebin with better play equipment, community gardens, better landscaping and general and a commitment to the well being of the citizens living in this area. I certainly did not vote for this and I would never vote for any Councillors that approve this stadium. 10 Date 7 June 2015 Response I am 16 years old currently completing year 11 VCE at the Academy of Mary Immaculate. Today I came across a flier saying "Save Mayer Park" as the council is considering to build a Multi-Sport Stadium on its grounds. I was not only shocked to see this, but also very upset. I visit that park daily as it is closest to me, and is the only oval park in the area where I, and others, can walk their dogs openly. My reasons for wanting to save the park are: 1. It is the most open park to walk your dog 2. Dog friendly 3. Many athletes, trainers and casual joggers choose Mayer Park 4. It is a very popular and friendly park where the whole community gathers together 5. If the Multi- Sports Stadium is built at Mayer Park the will be no room left for dogs and athletes, trainers, walkers, joggers etc. 6. The parking situation will look very crowded and unappealing Please leave Mayer Park untouched as it would be a mistake for future generations. Our community has gone to so much effort into trying to save Mayer Park, which proves to show how dedicated how important leaving the park as it is means to us. Please consider one of the other three sites recommended in the Proposed Multi-Sports Stadium Report that are not surrounded by Zone 1 Residential land. 11 Date 7 June 2015 Response I have been a Darebin Resident for 22 years. I am in total agreement of the need for a ball sports stadium such as that in Booroondara. Kids and adults playing sport is fantastic! Could I suggest that the John Cain Memorial Park be the best place for a sports stadium to be built? This park has adequate space for the facility but most important of all, the ability to have car parking to access this stadium. Saturdays can be a coming and going of hundreds of children, parents and cars, over the whole day for scheduled matches. Car parking that is specifically for the use of the stadium is essential as teams for basketball and netball and other indoor ball sports, could be coming from all over Melbourne, often with parents carpooling the teams. The stadium would no doubt be used in the evenings for matches and practice sessions, so a car park with safe lighting and pedestrian areas would be essential! We have a world class Velodrome at J.C. Memorial Park why not build on it! Great to see this proposed stadium. John Cain Memorial park is the place to have it! 12 Date 8 June 2015 Response Thank you for providing the opportunity to comment on this broad proposal. I hope this response is useful to the next stage of your planning. 1. THE PROPOSED SITES: The consultant’s report is a start to discussing options, but is not sufficient alone to make a decision about the location of this facility. On reviewing the preferred options set out in the consultant’s report, I believe the best location for further analysis would be next to the current Northcote Aquatic Centre ( but not necessarily McDonnell Park as such). Re-purposing some or all of the tennis courts into multi use ones (and tennis could be one of the multi –uses, which is not mentioned in this report), and using the eastern half of the current car park for the “indoor” building is an option worth further exploration. This may mean that the balance of the car park facing Victoria Rd may have to become a double storey facility, but that would be an efficient use of the land, and would not be out of scale with the soon to be built
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 4 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments development on the neighbouring former 10 pin bowling site. Or parking could be on the roof of the new indoor court facility - it doesn’t have to be on the ground. The advantages of this combination are that: There is already a management and administrative presence on site (YMCA) A further conglomeration of facilities for junior sport and recreation may help with reducing some of the running around parents and carers have to do to take siblings hither and yon as each pursue their different interests. Swimming and junior football and cricket are already there, which has the potential for a better fit with netball and basketball, than, for example, the golf and soccer at Mayer Park, or the cycling and bowl at DISC. Walking and bicycle riding to this location would also be possible for a large number of Northcote residents, more so than the other proposed sites. No current open “green space” would have to be used for what is actually a single purpose (sport) built facility, and no current informal recreational uses would be displaced. Darebin has a big focus on residential densification of the city, which means public open space will become more important as private open space shrinks - the use of open green space as a solution for large sports buildings and car parking is counter productive - other solutions must be considered. Of the other short listed sites: Zwar Reserve may be suitable, but based on the information provided; it is not possible to comment any further than that. Mayer Park is not suitable, as a facility will remove a significant area of open green space and compromise the existing sporting and informal recreation provision. Netball and basketball bears no relationship to the other sports and recreation activities there (golf and soccer) and there is no on site administrative arrangements. This location will have highest off-site neighbourhood impacts. The DISC site is OK as it looks like some provision could be made almost immediately, and there are administrative services on site-- future expansion may be a little more difficult, but may prove to be possible over time. 2. THE CRITERIA USED A couple of comments on the criteria used by the consultants: How the facility will be used use by the public and how it will be managed should be considered as criteria. Primarily the assessment is about construction of a facility, whereas a wider range of mattes should be assessed. The assumption that everybody will drive to the facility is questionable, and the estimated car parking numbers for the courts by number seem over the top. There is no information as to how these figures were arrived at. Has advice been sought from Council Planners as to what parking is required for a facility like this under the Victorian Planning Provisions, and what potential discounts could apply (for multi-purpose use etc.)? Planning for large car parks for single uses must also be counter to Darebin’s efforts to encourage sustainable transport. In the southern half of the municipality, the preferred catchment, we are all told to leave the car at home and encouraged to ride bikes, catch public transport and walk. Using public parkland for car parking should be a thing of the past. In assessing current uses of each of the short listed sites, no list of informal uses is provided. For example, at Mayer Park there is a lot of dog walking, as it is a designated off leash area; it is also used for personal training sessions; as a hot air ballooning launch site and by the local residents of all ages for informal health and recreation pursuits. The vegetation, especially that bordering the golf course, adds to the overall provision of bird nesting sites. I imagine the other short listed sites may have other similar activities, which have not been included in the report. All displaced uses need to be considered and addressed. No investigation was done, in this report at least, of non-park based solutions for this facility. For example, why not consider leasing or buying the ground floor of a large factory which is now not used for that purpose? The Kaygees and Twisters Gym Clubs who rent factory spaces off Beavers Road, are examples of active recreation which has utilized this option. Netball and basketball needs could be similarly provided for in this manner. While not on the short list, I was surprised to see a number of passive recreation gardens which would have been patently unsuitable for such a facility included in the list of 22 sites investigated: For example, Oldis Gardens, Johnstone Park and Ray Braham Gardens. In my view they shouldn’t have even qualified as potential locations for this faculty.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 5 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments I also hope that in the short term suitable training times and space can be found for netball teams at the Darebin Community Sports Centre. 13 Date 8 June 2015 Response I write to you in regard to the current proposal for the Darebin Multi Sports Stadium. I am a Darebin resident and I have strong objections to the stadium being built at Mayer Park. This recreational space is a well-used outdoor space that is frequented by dog walkers, children, soccer players, cricket players and families. In a time when we are wanting to encourage physical activity and outdoor sports, it seems unjust to take this well used space away. If there is a real community need for new sports stadiums why aren't we looking at improving the facilities of schools sports stadiums and using these for the dual purpose of school sports and after school needs? 14 Date 9 June 2015 Response As a Thornbury local resident and trader, I would like to add my voice to those who are opposed to the proposal to develop a large portion of Mayer Park into a sporting complex. This site is an important community hub for local sport teams, fitness groups, children, dog owners, hobbyists, and many others. It is one of the best remaining open green spaces in Thornbury and it would be an absolute tragedy to lose this space for current residents and future generations. Apart from its current importance as a community hub, there are a number of other reasons that I oppose development of this particular site: The traffic along Normanby Avenue is already dreadful and gridlocked at least twice a day. A stadium complex would surely exacerbate this problem as well as parking issues for local residents of whom many only have street parking. There are a number of existing sporting complexes in Darebin already, which have space to expand on the current sites. Environmental impacts on the nearby Merri Creek are unknown. Local sporting and community groups who use Mayer park have not been sufficiently engaged with about the proposal by the council. The loss of open green space for neighbouring residents. With population density for Darebin projected to increase significantly it is more important than ever for the Council to retain whatever green space currently exists. I look forward to engaging with you on this issue in a positive and constructive manner. 15 Date 9 June 2015 Response In regard to the proposed development of a sporting stadium/complex at Meyer Park, I want to voice my protest as strongly as I can. I was extremely disappointed to learn of the outcome of Darebin Council’s recent study. As a resident in a nearby street (Woolton Avenue) I can only request that this decision be further reviewed. Meyer Park is a wonderful refuge for all of the local community – to develop it would no doubt benefit Darebin but not the local residents or users of this beautiful and open space. Why can this proposal not take place in an already “sport friendly” space, such as the park at Northcote Swimming Centre or one of the schools suggested – Thornbury Secondary College or Northcote High School. I look forward to having further discussion this Saturday with the relevant Council staff at the Community Consultation session. 16 Date 9 June 2015 Response I wish to register my opposition to building the proposed Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium at Mayer Park as recommended in the Options and Feasibility Reports posted on the Darebin LGA website. I believe that the municipality has little enough green space as it is, without existing open spaces being sacrificed. I feel a better option would be to use a former industrial or brownfield site. 17 Date 10 June 2015 Response Please do not use Mayer park for the location for the new multi-sport stadium. Me and my family have been using that park for years, for walking the dog daily and enjoying outdoor activities with friends and family. I believe a lot of people would be disappointed with the
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 6 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments construction as it a large part of the locals lives and people would not be able to enjoy the park as thoroughly as they once could have. 18 Date 10 June 2015 Response Yes facilities may be needed but the most valuable need is more open space as the population of this area increases potentially 300 extra people on Gadd street. The most densely populated street in Darebin. Croxton park area has already been built on so what’s left to do, oh yes let’s leave a monument to ourselves. When we are finished that because it’s making a loss every year lets sell the golf course to some mate developer. Who benefits? The developer of course. This is one of the most short sited ideas you have done in a long time .Its costs less to develop because you are putting no price on open space, how can you there’s so little of it left. I object in the strongest terms to this overreaching development which has been rushed and narrowly thought out with glaring omissions 19 Date 11 June 2015 Response As a local resident and member of the community, I write to provide my view about the notion of a multisport stadium at Mayer Park. Whether this is actually proposed or not is not clear to me. I received a Council leaflet seeking consultation about a multisport stadium that was (deliberately?) opaque with regard to its location. Why the Council thought it appropriate to stimulate consultation without naming the preferred location I have no idea, but it’s worrying. I had to proactively call the Council to determine the likely location. I was referred to a document called: “Outdoor Multi Use Court Feasibility Study – Part One Site Review” carrying the Council logo proclaiming that Darebin is “the place to live”. This document suggests that Mayer park is the most favourable option. On page 16 under a section headed 2.4.1.4 Advantages/Disadvantages the following paragraph appears: Mayer Park is located within the primary catchment zone identified by key stakeholders. The site is highly visible off Normbanby Avenue. The location of the site adjacent to the golf course provides opportunity for expansion into the site. The site however is currently used by both cricket and football clubs and these clubs may need to be relocated to an alternate venue which may be problematic. Given this shallow assessment I would like to take this opportunity to enlarge on the way that Mayer park is currently used: Children fly kites there… Children fly their remote controlled toys there… Hot air balloons take off and land from there (and are very colourful and splendid to watch)… Many, many local residents walk their dogs there and meet and talk…(free from the clashes between dog walkers and cyclists along the Merri Creek) Fitness groups exercise there, frequently. Children kick soccer and footy balls around with each other or their mums and dads… People frequently jog around the park… Occasionally, jugglers practice there… And yes cricket and football clubs play there… This isn’t an exhaustive list. The point is that this is an open space and while it might be difficult to tolerate and to restrain the desire to ‘do something with it’ or cover it with concrete, I implore you to reconsider! Our psychological health requires that our environment is not entirely dense with urban development. Accessible un-determined green and open spaces are a common good vital to community creativity, social and psychological health. I have no objection to facilities for court sports per-se but I am passionately opposed to the loss of Mayer Park. I appreciate that this leaves you with the problem of where to place this facility and I recognize the competing interests of different community groups. However, the loss of Mayer Park only indicates an increasingly urban dystopia for people living in my neighbourhood. 20 Date 11 June 2015 Response We just want to be clear that Mayer Park, although perhaps ideal according to the consultants, is not our preferred location for a stadium. We ideally would like to see the development take place somewhere like NARC if DISC is out of the question. For example, there is plenty of available space at the NARC car park- it could be repurposed as outlined in the SLR report.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 7 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments I know there are many competing interests, however, I just wanted you to know that Mayer Park, and thus, the loss of open space, is not our preference. 21 Date 12 June 2015 Response I live on Normanby Avenue and would like more information about the proposed layout of the multi-sport stadium at Mayer Park. Can you provide information on the following: 1) Traffic on Leinster Grove at night and on weekends is already horrific due to the parking issues caused by use of Mayer Park for training and games combined with the desire of almost everyone in the northern suburbs to use that street as a cut through. We use the rear access lane behind Normanby Ave for parking as sometimes cannot get access for the reasons noted above. More worryingly, we have had a number of near misses involving bicycles, through traffic and parked cars – my concern here is that an increase in park use will make this worse. How does Council intend to deal with these issues with increased use of Mayer Park? Will entry to the stadium be from Normanby Avenue only and will this involve parking restrictions and/or traffic calming devices on Leinster Grove? Will traffic and parking on Leinster Grove be part of the formal development plan or an afterthought that gets dealt with if local residents complain post construction? 2) There is obvious concern from my neighbours that open space at Mayer Park will disappear, leaving us with no space close by to play with our kids or, more importantly for many, walk their dogs in a friendly off-lead environment. Does council intend to leave some space for these activities at Mayer Park? Will Council offer another space close by for this instead? 22 Date 12 June 2015 Response Please consider an ice rink for the proposed indoor multi sports stadium in the south of the City. Ice sports are woefully under catered for in Melbourne - the city had five rinks when I played ice hockey in the 1980s and there are only two now - and the Icehouse in Docklands is the busiest rink in the world. The right rink, with adequate seating for ice hockey, can provide a vital recreational role as well as helping continue the massive growth of ice sports since the opening of the Icehouse in 2010. At the moment, there are not enough hours in the day to satisfy all those who wish to use the Icehouse's two rinks. Recreational hockey for adults has grown by 70% since the rink opened and the only other rink in Victoria is the dilapidated Olympic rink at Oakleigh. The opening of an ice rink in the inner north would not only satisfy a massive audience crying out for extra facilities, it would prove commercially viable. The latest rink designs complement multi-use facilities, especially swimming pools, and can easily be refitted for other sports such as netball, basketball and concerts. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to ask. I wrote a book about Australian ice hockey and reported on the Australia Ice Hockey League for The Age. I can put you on to everyone from would-be investors to Ice Hockey Australia to the driving force behind the building of the Icehouse, Andrew Shelton. 23 Date 12 June 2015 Response I am writing to express my concerns with the location of the proposed Darebin stadium. I agree that the community is in need of these facilities and that they would promote physical activity in the area. However Mayer Park is not an ideal location. Currently there is heavy traffic around the surrounding streets particularly Normanby Avenue. This traffic occurs at all hours and often produces congestion in the area. These vehicles include a large number of trucks of all sizes and this contributes to the noise level through the day and at night. As I walk through the neighbourhood regularly I have witnessed many a pet killed on Normanby Avenue and near misses for children who have strayed from the park. This is a major concern as the traffic speed is often higher than the prescribed limit. If the proposed stadium were to go ahead at Mayer Park we would definitely see greater congestion along Normanby avenue and subsequent roads including the intersection at St Georges Road. Currently parking is a major issue in the area therefore it is a great concern if we were to add to the numbers visiting the area. There is few open areas of land in Darebin particularly along the main roads such as St Georges. Mayer Park is utilised by many pet owners as a leash free park and these are limited in our community. It is also accessed by school groups, local sporting clubs and the public. Considering that Northcote YMCA is an existing site for redevelopment I believe most people would prefer to access facilities this location. It does not have the same impact on the neighborhood being an existing facility that caters for many patrons.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 8 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments I ask you to drive at any time and witness first hand the traffic congestion on Normanby Ave. Then imagine the repercussions on the neighborhood if we were to increase the congestion to the area. 24 Date 13 June 2015 Response I am writing to voice my concern over the development of Mayer Park, I live opposite the park on Comas Grove and can see that the space is used by many community groups already. I understand the need for new facilities in the area, but it seems to me such a shame to lose such a large green space. There are so many unused factories and industrial spaces in Darebin already, is it not possible to use one of these spaces for the development? Once a green space is built over it is gone forever. The community benefits greatly from these open spaces for relaxation, sport, play and walking dogs etc. Every evening the park is full of people doing all the above activities, not the mention flocks of galahs, parrots, magpies and other bird life. Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns. 25 Date 13 June 2015 Response My family and I oppose vehemently to the proposed development of Mayer park Thornbury. Our family have been residences of Ballantyne Street for 16.5 years. My children are a 13 year old boy and a 16 year old girl. We have used and continue to use the park from early morning to late at night. We visit in Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. We visit in the heat, cold, rain, wind and droughts. We go for jogs or sprints. We take the frisbee. We take a picnic blanket and have afternoon tea. We walk our neighbours dogs. We play tiggy. We play cricket. My children have trained to ride bikes without training wheels where they can fall on the soft grass. We do yoga and stretching. We take our head phones and have time out. We often take a soccer ball on a winters night and run around getting warm and active. In short we use the park for fresh air, play and exercise. We can be spontaneous in our visits and spend as little or as long a time as we wish at the park. When considering the freedom that open spaces give I truly believe this sense of freedom would be compromised if the outdoor grass area was reduced to a smaller area. The idea of indoor and outdoor courts replaces free exercise with paid, structured and booked exercise. The rest of our lives are highly structured with work and school timetables and the timetables of extracurricular activities my children partake in. Green spaces are sacred in an urban environment and I object to development taking place which would mean a reduced green area and the introduction of fees to use facilities and be active. Already Thornbury is losing backyards to development. Now the only green space we do have is under threat from development. Children's freedom to play and explore on their own, independent of direct adult guidance and direction, has declined greatly in recent decades. There are many studies on the impact of this. There are increasing worrying trends of near sightedness when children do not have the degree of outdoor exposure where they focus into the distance. Not to mention the lack of Vitamin D that is so prevalent in our society due to lifestyles. The reasons are many why green open spaces should be valued in urban environments and I hope you consider the immediate communities concerns and needs and conclude in not going ahead with the proposed development. 26 Date 13 June 2015 Response I am writing in regards to the proposed multi-sports stadium to be constructed in the City of Darebin. As you would be aware the project options report has highlighted Mayer Park as the preferred site for this development. Our family are part of a large community who use this park for a range of purposes- from dog walkers and families enjoying the open space to personal trainers and the local sporting Clubs who call the Park home. The Park is also extremely popular amongst young people from Asian backgrounds who play casual cricket matches on non-Club match-days. Beautiful green open spaces like Mayer Park are becoming increasingly rare, particularly in the inner suburbs. It is very concerning that this Park and Batman Park are under threat by Council proposals.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 9 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments Mayer Park is definitely not an appropriate location for a large stadium redevelopment- the Park would be destroyed if this proposal went ahead. Surely there are other locations such as John Cain Memorial Park which has already been developed as a sporting hub or the site or the Northcote High site which are more appropriate. The SWOT analysis is deeply flawed and disappointingly does not take into consideration the large amount of casual users at Mayer Park and the need for open space for the community to enjoy as weaknesses for this proposal. When will the location of this stadium be finalised? And will you be applying for State Government funding this year? 27 Date 14 June 2015 Response Hi, I would like to encourage the council to consider a planned new stadium for Darebin to look at building at Mayer Park in Thornbury. This is a great location for such a facility - the current park there is underutilised and has potential to be a real asset for the community. It also accessible for many people in the area. 28 Date 14 June 2015 Response We write to you as residents of Woolton Avenue and constituents of Rucker Ward. We attended the community meeting yesterday and have read the consultant's report and the council report on the proposal for a Mulit sport stadium at Mayer Park.. We oppose the preferred option recommended in the reports and support Councillor McCarthy's motion to be put to Council on 15 June 2015 in relation to Mayer Park. As long time residents of Woolton Avenue we have seen the increase in the density of this part of Thornbury in particular the re-development of Gadd Street and many blocks being developed with multi unit dwellings. It is extremely important that spaces such as Mayer Park remain free of development to allow residents to have access to green space for a variety of uses. The size of the proposed sporting facility would, on the figures referred to in the reports, take up to 54% to 60% of the park. We also note that the report refers to a long term proposal for further courts on the park. Development on this scale will effectively remove this open space from the community. The report has expressly recommended to Council that it Proceed with construction of an indoor / outdoor multi-sports facility at Mayer Park, Thornbury. Short term timeline on the build with construction commencing from as early as 1 December 2016. The scale of the facility at initial build is recommended as: a) 3 court indoor multi-sport high ball stadium, with associated infrastructure b) 4 court outdoor netball facility with lighting (with space provision to allow the future development of up four additional courts) c) Associated car parking The report in our view has failed to explore other options such as brownfield sites, the true extent of the community's use of the park and the increased traffic. There is no reference to any consultation with VicRoads as to whether Normanby Avenue can cater for the increased traffic volume and what further signalisation would be required. The report also failed to detail and explain how the recommendation to take up to 60% of Mayer Park was consistent with the Council's Open Space Strategy. It is disturbing that Council officers can make recommendations that will remove a valuable open space asset without any mention of the Open Space Strategy in the report. At the community meeting we were repeatedly told no decision had been made and while that is correct, the tenor of this report does not provide Council with other options to make a decision on. We appreciate that there are a variety of competing interests and costs and that Council needs to provide for a variety of uses. However accepting the recommendation to build such a facility on Mayer Park will displace many community members who will have other limited options for access to open space whereas the consultant's report did identify other potential sites and Council has not even considered brownfield sites or explored collaboration with neighboring local councils. In the absence of land that is currently used by the golf course being opened for other uses there will be no undeveloped open space at this end of Woolton Avenue. The closest will be Croxton Park school which is fenced and has a playground. We expect therefore that you s local representatives for this neighborhood will not support the recommendation to build the facility and support Councillor McCarthy's motion to be put to Council on 15 June 2015 in relation to Myer Park. We would appreciate your acknowledgment of our email and your advice as to what you intend to do at the 15 June meeting.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 10 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 29 Date 14 June 2015 Response I am writing to protest about the rumour that Mayer Park is in consideration for the multi-sports stadium proposed for Rucker Ward. My family of four are regular users of Mayer Park because we have a small dog and it is one of the few locations in reasonable proximity to let our dog run off the lead. Because we visit the park regularly to walk our dog we get to see the multiple uses - soccer matches and training, football training, cricket matches and training, personal trainer groups, general recreation and, of course, numerous dog walkers. It does not seem reasonable for council to consider placing an indoor stadium and associated car park on an outdoor park already in regular use by residents of Darebin. It would seem much more reasonable to place an indoor stadium on a site which already has (disused or under-utilised) buildings on it so no green space amenity is lost to the City. Concreting over green space that is well utilised would seem to go against the aims of the project to assist people to be less sedentary and do more exercise. Frankly it just looks silly and the City of Darebin would be well advised to publicly announce that Mayer Park is not in consideration as soon as possible. 30 Date 14 June 2015 Response I have recently learned of the Darebin City Council’s plans to build a ‘multi-sports stadium’ in the south of the municipality, and while I support the development of such a complex, I have several concerns about the Council’s proposed sites. As a local resident I am concerned that the only sites that Darebin City Council have considered for this development are existing open green spaces, and I believe that the retention of such spaces is extremely important for the community, particularly one which is projected to increase significantly through the development of high density housing over the next 20 years. I am particularly concerned that the Council has nominated Mayer Park (cnr Normanby Avenue and Leinster Grove, Thornbury) as their preferred site for the development. Currently several sports clubs utilise this space for games and training, and many local residents enjoy the park for leisure and recreation activities (such as dog-walking, jogging, kite flying, picnics, etc.) and it has become somewhat of a community hub for those living close by. Traffic congestion is another concern of mine, as Normanby Avenue is already stressed, as is the significantly smaller Leinster Grove. I strongly urge the Council to consider the use of brownfields sites for this development so that the community may continue to enjoy our parklands, while accessing much needed sporting facilities in the municipality. Thank you for your support in this community matter 31 Date 14 June 2015 Response We have recently learned of the Darebin City Council’s plans to build a ‘multi-sports stadium’ in the south of the municipality. While we support the development of such a complex, we have several concerns about the Council’s proposed sites. As local residents who have lived in the area over 20 years, we are concerned that the only sites that Darebin City Council have considered for this development are existing open green spaces. The retention of such spaces is extremely important for the community, particularly for Darebin, whose population is projected to increase significantly and change composition over the next 20 years. We are particularly concerned that the Council has nominated Mayer Park (cnr Normanby Avenue and Leinster Grove, Thornbury) as their preferred site for the development. Currently several sports clubs utilise this space for games and training, and many local residents enjoy the park for leisure and recreation activities (such as dog-walking, jogging, kite flying, picnics, etc.) and it is a community hub for those living close by. Traffic congestion is a significant concern as Normanby Avenue already at or close to capacity as is the significantly smaller Leinster Grove. Leinster Grove and surrounding residential Streets of Woolton Ave and Shaftesbury Pde are already ‘rat runs’ for those avoiding traffic lights on St George’s Road and this development will only exacerbate existing problems. Unfortunately it appears that the decision making process has been driven by a desire to ease project delivery rather than the best location for the community. While we understand the requirement to act quickly to gain State funding, this should not be at the detriment of stated community goals around maintaining passive and active open space. Mayer Park performs both functions. It also appears that there are many other decisions that are precursors to a final location for this proposed facility such as the future of the Northcote Golf Course and any
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 11 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments commitments from Moreland City Council to a regional facility. There may well be a more appropriate site just over the border in Moreland and there certainly are in Darebin such as the John Cain Memorial Park and the Northcote Aquatic Centre and adjacent Reserve. The site selection process is fundamentally flawed and appears to be squewed to achieve a particular outcome rather than being driven by an independent and objective methodology around site selection. We strongly urge the Council to consider the use of brownfield sites for this development so that the community may continue to enjoy our parklands, while accessing much needed sporting facilities in the municipality. There is significant under utilised industrial land in Darebin along Normanby Road, Arthurton Road and Darebin Road, much of it adjacent to regional active open space which could be used for such a facility. Council collects millions of dollars in open space contributions each year that are meant to be spent on the maintenance and improvement of open spaces across the municipality and that money could be used to offset the costs of a brownfield site. We are very concerned if our elected representatives believe that open spaces such as Mayer Park are available for other uses excluding passive recreation purposes. This is an industrial style building with extensive car parking being proposed on an open green space. The community is outraged and angry about Mayer Park even being one of the sites considered. We urge you to quickly rule out Mayer Park as an option and go back to the drawing board for the selection of an appropriate site. Following this decision we strongly urge Council to prepare a masterplan for Mayer Park preferably in conjunction with developing a future plan to develop Northcote Golf Course as a regional park. Thank you for your support in this important matter. 32 Date 15 June 2015 Response I would suggest the project be built in reservoir for the following reasons: Reservoir with over 50,000 people has a very low participation in sports for young people and adults, this facility will lift reservoir The population is headed to reservoir and it will make sense for the facility to go with the population for it to be fully utilised Lifting reservoir’s image, this facility will be a Godsend opportunity to enhance and lift the image and reputation of reservoir. 33 Date 15 June 2015 Response We need parks and open spaces for families, kids, dogs, amateur footy and cricket etc. Council can’t even afford to water the trees, provide fresh water taps, empty rubbish bins etc in parkland as it is. What a stupid idea to spend up big on more buildings and car spaces. Get real, council 34 Date 16 June 2015 Response My name is Jamie Parsons and I am the CEO at Gymnastics Victoria. I have just read your information regarding a proposed new multi-sports stadium in Darebin. With funding provided through Sport and Recreation Victoria and conducted by an independent consultant we have just completed our State Wide Facility Plan with recommendations by Council area. We are keen to talk with you about the opportunities Gymnastics provides for your community. As a snapshot of what the research shows is that: Gymnastic is the fastest growing major participation sport in Victoria (year on year membership growth of 7% per year for the past 10 years) Are predominantly female sport (45,000 current members, plus another 145,000 participants across 112 clubs – 80% female) See below on a comparison of statistics on use per square metre and return on investment A world leader in sporting activities for people with disabilities I would be very happy to speak with you further regarding this.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 12 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 35 Date 17 June 2015 Response Please expect a petition from Residents who live in the proximity of McDonnell park and park users against the proposal to build a multicourt stadium at the park 36 Date 17 June 2015 Response When the Alphington JFC was evicted from John Cain Memorial park to McDonnell Park we worked to make the Northcote JFC thrive. Now they have lights! I am no longer on the committee as my sons have outgrown Junior Footy. I still participate in the Ivanhoe Jnr Basketball Club through my youngest son so I understand the tension between outdoor and indoor sporting needs. But the loss of parkland in the name of "activity rates" is counterproductive. A growing population needs passive recreation too. I may be too old to be in a Bball or footy or cricket team but I do wander down to McDonnell with my dog for a jog or to watch the swelling numbers of junior. Cricketers and footballers. A truly visionary council would reclaim the derelict industrial property around and rezone them for this Sporting Complex. I know you are motivated well but don't destroy parkland. 37 Date 17 June 2015 Response I am concerned about reports that the council is considering to build a new multi sports stadium at Mayer Park. Building the proposed multi-sports stadium at Mayer Park would encroach on open green space, which is quickly becoming a rarity in Darebin. It would create noise and traffic issues in a residential area. It would take away the amenity of open space and limit places for people to enjoy, open wide green spaces. The focus should be on other more suitable sites such as the area near Northcote Aquatic Centre adjoining McDonnell Park in Northcote. There is an opportunity to develop that area as a sports precinct offering pool, gymnasium and multi sport stadium facilities. The council ought to consider expanding the Northcote Aquatic Centre area as opposed to a random park in a residential area, such as Mayer Park. There is also potentially too much engineering and technical risk with Mayer Park, which was once the home of a creek and at one stage was used for dumping of rubbish. The multi-sports stadium is a great project, however Mayer Park is the wrong location and as a resident who lives near Mayer Park, I do not support Mayer Park as the location of the new stadium. Please provide council position on this matter and the topics raised in my email. 38 Date 19 June 2015 Response I am writing regarding the proposal for the new Darebin Multi Sports Stadium. I live on Normanby Avenue in Thornbury and I have strong objections to the stadium being built at Mayer Park. The outdoor recreational space is very well utilised providing outdoor space that is frequented by dog walkers, children, soccer and cricket teams, as well as families and others looking for a place with enough space to kick a ball around. I believe losing a large part of Mayer park to a sports stadium will be a huge loss to the community, as well as being detrimental to the amenity of the area. 39 Date 19 June 2015 Response I am writing to express my strong opposition to any development that reduces the amount of grass, trees and green space at McDonnell Park to build a stadium. We live near to McDonnell Park and it provides a great amenity for the area. Our boys play cricket and football at the park, they go there with friends to let off steam and expend energy, we walk our dog there and meet up with the community of local dog walkers who use the park. In short, it is a great benefit to the local community, to the football and cricket clubs and we place a high value on maintaining the park in substantially its current form. Melbourne regularly receives international attention and praise for its famous liveability and access to green space is an important aspect of the pleasure of living in Melbourne. Council is doubtless aware of the often publicised benefits of green spaces on well-being and mental health. Access to safe spaces with fresh air and space to run around is vital to our childrens development and essential if Australia is to combat the growing rates of obesity and diabetes.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 13 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments I understand and support Darebin Council's intention to build a stadium and space for sports more likely to appeal to girls and women (as opposed to the generally male oriented sports of football and cricket). However, I am firmly of the view that any such stadium should be built on land that has already been developed and should not encroach on our precious remaining green spaces. The site on the corner of Darebin Road and Station Street would have been an excellent location for a new stadium with high capacity road access and close proximity to John Cain Memorial Park. Sadly the council chose to allow this site to be redeveloped as apartments. Another suitable site would have been the old bowling alley near the corner of Victoria Road and Separation street, next to the Northcote Aquatic Centre. Sadly, yet again the Council decided to allow this land to be redeveloped into high density apartments so another promising site has been lost. The Bouliste development is high density with no green space apart from six token shrubs along the Victoria Road frontage and perfectly illustrates the need for more green space in the area rather than less. There are a number of families with children who have moved into the Bouliste apartments who will rely on McDonnell Park to provide space for their children to exercise and develop healthy habits from their early years. Having lost the opportunity to use these sites, Darebin Council must now wait until another suitable brown field site for the proposed stadium comes available rather than ripping up our parks. As a secondary concern, I do not believe the streets around McDonnell Park have the capacity to handle the traffic that would be expected at a stadium. Clifton Avenue, Kellett Street, Wilmoth Street and Rathmines Streets are all relatively narrow with many parked cars and unsuitable for increased traffic levels trying to access a stadium. In addition, the construction traffic for the stadium would cause a great deal of inconvenience to local residents. In summary, I am vehemently opposed to any development that degrades the green space at McDonnell Park. I pay taxes in Darebin and I vote and I will not be voting for anyone who supports the removal of large areas of green space from this corner of Northcote. Our green spaces are precious and must be protected from development. 40 Date 21 June 2015 Response I am writing to strongly object to the proposal to build a multi-sports stadium at the site of McDonnell Park. Our family lives close to McDonnell park and we use the park regularly for cricket, football, running, walking the dog and other non-structured exercise. I strongly object to the proposal to remove existing green space from our neighborhood. This proposal to place the stadium in existing parkland such as McDonnell park is a direct contradiction to the council's policy on 'live local" and the health benefits of accessing the local park. Our children use the park to jog and to practice ball sports. Our children want grass, green space not a bitumen car park or light filled space. Access to green space is vital for children's and everyone's mental and physical health. There are numerous studies that can support this. I am shocked that the Council would even consider taking away green space from our ever increasing built up environment. This proposal is alarming and shows a lack of insight into the the lives of the local Darebin residents. I urge you to listen and respect the local residents of these parks. There are many sites than can be used for such a purpose, the sites that need to be considered are those are NOT CURRENTLY GREEN SPACES. There are sites in nearby Banyule Council on unused land or land that has been vacated (such as the ex-Heidelberg High School site), working locally with other councils may be the solution. Or it may mean constructing the stadium near existing facilities such as those at John Cain. Or it may mean just waiting until the appropriate site becomes available. And for that, Darebin Council will be applauded. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this process. 41 Date 21 June 2015 Response I sit on the DACC board for Darebin Council. I am also a resident in close proximity to the new proposed Multi Sports Complex. I live at the end of Woolton Avenue Thornbury. This new proposed complex is at the end of the street, where our organisation is located. I am also the President of Wongai Torres Strait Islander Corporation, so I feel we have a direct and just reason to have our concerns heard. They are as follows: 1. The stadium will encroach on more than 60% of the park land. 2. The loss of valuable green space.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 14 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 3. Placing more pressure on the environment and its surroundings. 4. The threat to the parks, existing wildlife and bushland and its surrounding water way "Merri Creek". 5. The loss of place for community to connect on a social level, without having to have money or to be of a certain description. 6. Also it is a concern for the locals in regards to the parking situation. We as residents find it hard to get parking around here already, due to a Wedding Reception Centre and a multitude of new apartment complexes with inadequate parking for the residents. It is constantly congested in the area. 7. The increasing loss of the lands Aboriginality and its cultural heritage. 42 Date 23 June 2015 Response Having attended a forum regarding the proposed multi sports stadium and a council meeting which included discussion on the same topic, I am concerned at the both the process and underlying assumptions of the proposal for a multi sports stadium in the south of Darebin. While the stadium itself is desirable it seems counterproductive that the sites considered for the construction would see the facility built at the cost of alternative leisure facilities. The preferred site at Mayer park would effectively withdraw leisure facilities from many people. Walking my dogs there at various times ranging from as early as 5 in the morning through to the evening I can assure you it is used by many people for many activities throughout the day, Moreover those activities are non-commercial, cost free and available all day. I rarely see any problems between the many users and note the many casual friendships and informal support groups that form there. The lack of public accessible non-commercial places to meet congregate and relax in this city is a major problem. The proposal to eradicate one of the few places that provide such a facility is very disturbing since it indicates a limited mindset that cannot see value in open space and unorganised leisure activity. For people who live nearby, the proposed facility would decrease their amenity and possibly their house values. I presume Council wouldn’t be considering reducing rates accordingly. During the discussion at the forum I attended, the idea of using brownfield sites was dismissed as being too costly. Setting aside that this does not allow for the value of existing leisure uses, it also sidesteps the fact that the drive for new sports facilities arises from increased population. That population increase is largely a product of the massive development of small apartments in the city which are, inexplicably, not accompanied by the development of open space. Most of this development is taking place on reclaimed industrial land and I would have thought a forward looking council would have insisted or themselves have directly intervened to ensure for every 2 or 3 apartment blocks there would be a block of open space. To purchase just one site for a sports facility would seem to be a small investment and sensible given the potential for ghettoes of stir crazy teenagers emerging in the city in the near future. It also emerged at the forum that Banyule council might be developing an old high school site in Banksia St for a similar facility and additionally that Yarra Council would be also building something similar on the paper mill site. Both of these sites are close for Darebin residents but it was disappointing that the idea of working with another council seemed to be beyond the imagination of the council officers present. Having worked with councils around Australia in the past I can assure you that some mature thinkers are quite capable of delivering splendid facilities for residents by cooperating with other LGAs. Additionally, the use of consultants in this process suggesting that Council no longer has the expertise to construct facilities but can only ‘manage’ such an investment, is indicative of a council which has lost contact with its core functions. I urge you to broaden the scope of your thinking on this matter and to come up with a real contribution to the community rather than creating divisive ‘winner and loser’ type scenarios which undervalue the city’s precious open spaces and the many people who use them. 43 Date 23 June 2015 Response I wish to raise an objection to the proposed development plan for Mayer Park. Firstly, as a resident, I was disappointed to find out about this plan from other concerned residents. A plan of this magnitude should have been letter dropped to all houses within at least a 3 km radius. The plan to turn Mayer park into a major sporting complex, is not in keeping with the local residential usage of the surrounds. Despite being on a main road, the park is surrounded by houses and locals who live in the area for its residential appeal, its proximity to open spaces and it's generally quite ambience.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 15 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments By allowing such a large scale development to occur, the entire area would change. The increase in traffic, noise, light (if operated at night) and the loss of a major clear open area, would be a major detriment to the area. The park is currently used by many disparate groups, including organised sporting clubs, runners, pet owners, golfers, kite flyers and model aircraft enthusiasts. The fact that the park is so open and clear, makes it a perfect location for any community member to enjoy in their own way. Traffic in the local area is already high enough, and creating an area where traffic would increase exponentially would have a large impact on the quality of life for this residents in the immediate area, and for those in the surrounding area. I submit that open spaces that can be used for a multitude of uses, including quiet contemplation, are increasingly rare, and should be protected and cherished. I am opposed to this type of development at Mayer Park 44 Date 23 June 2015 Response I would like to register my strong objection to the idea of a sports stadium being built in Mayer Park in Thornbury. Mayer Park is the only park area available to residents - especially dogwalkers - in the area bounded by Normamby Ave, St Georges Rd, Arthurton Road and Northcote Golf Course. With the number of apartments and townhouses currently being built in this area - over a hundred new units just in Gadd Street - we need more open parkland in this area, not less? The park is used daily by walkers – many of them elderly residents from nearby Veronica Gardens Retirement Village, with and without their dogs, as well as local children and other community members playing ball games, such as soccer and cricket. We note that outdoor gym equipment is currently being installed. While this is appreciated, what the park needs even more is a playground to cater for the growing number of young families in the area (preferably in the southwest corner of the park safely away from the roads), as well as more seating around the perimeter of the park for parents of children and elderly people needing a break from their walk. Please do not build the sports stadium in our much loved Mayer Park. 45 Date 24 June 2015 Response As a long term resident of this area I strongly object to this stadium being built at McDonnell Park. This time you Councillors have gone too far. It’s a totally inappropriate development for this site and you know it. I know why you’ve chosen this site as your preferred option, the Aquatic Centre needs refurbishment and you think you’ll save money by incorporating the Centre into this project. It’s a short sighted move and will destroy this area irrecoverably. If you have to build this damn stadium build it where the independent consultant has given it a score of 100.25, Mayer Park. 46 Date 24 June 2015 Response I am a resident of Northcote and have just heard that McDonnell Park may be the site of a $13million sports stadium development that may include apartment towers. I walk in this park daily and it is there that I have made friends with so many of my neighbours - from my street and many streets beyond. Some of us walk, others jog, others walk dogs, others take their children to the park to kick the footy, fly a kite (not a cliché - this happens often) or have a picnic. We all use both the oval and the treed area around it. Many older people visit this park daily. They are not likely to take up the option of joining an indoor sporting team. Our time at McConnell Park is a retreat from our often stressful and always busy lives in the inner north of Melbourne. I urge Darebin Council to leave a legacy of communal green spaces. 47 Date 24 June 2015 Response I am very concerned about the proposed multi-sports stadium being built at Mayer Park. Whilst the community may need a new sport facility, Mayer Park is not the right place for such a venue. I have lived in the City of Darebin for over 20 years and have raised a family here. We have always used Mayer Park and continue to use it today for our recreation. We need to preserve Mayer Park as it provides important green open space for resident’s physical and mental health. Green open spaces such as Mayer Park must be preserved for future generations.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 16 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 48 Date 24 June 2015 Response I am a resident of Normanby Avenue and I am strongly opposed to the building of a multi-sport stadium and carpark in Mayer Park, Thornbury - or in any park in Darebin. Under no circumstances should Council even be considering turning parkland into buildings and carparks. Green open space - parkland - is genuinely accessible to all for exercise and recreation, as well as being priceless 'lungs' for the community. There's no way this should be co-opted by Council and built on, effectively completely limiting its use. Mayer Park is in constant use from first thing in the morning to late at night. I live opposite the park and am amazed by how many people use this space: people walking dogs, running, doing sports programs, having picnics, practising and playing cricket and soccer. Hundreds of people use this park on weekends: there are always 2 games on the go. Normanby Avenue is frequently gridlocked and residents are constantly concerned by the increasingly heavy, fast-moving traffic in Leinster Grove during morning and evening peaks. This is not the place to put a massive sports stadium, which would obviously increase traffic. Near the corner of Oakover Rd and St Georges Rd there is a park (on St Georges Rd) which I hardly ever see anyone in, plus there is a large amount of vacant land around this. This is a better place for a stadium. I hope Council will consider this. Once again: there is no way Council should be even considering turning green, open, public space into buildings and carparks in this age of climate change and unliveable housing ghettos like in Gadd Street, Thornbury. I want Darebin to remain liveable and this means MORE parks, not fewer. 49 Date 25 June 2015 Response I am writing in regards to the possible development of McDonnell Park in Northcote. This is a valuable green space in an increasingly densely populated area of Darebin and I would be upset to see it go. I’m also disturbed by the removal of the Thornbury Mayer park from the list of possible sites for the sports stadium development due to action by Darebin Councillors. Darebin Council appears to have breached its own policy guidelines by deleting Mayer Park and fast tracking the process to target the McDonnell Park/NARC site option.
50 Date 25 June 2015 Response As a longtime resident of Clifton Street Northcote (15 year plus!) I have grave concerns over the proposed Multi Sports Stadium at McDonnell Park and the loss of green space in our community. My concerns are as follows: The loss of green space and informal exercise and play area. Land sizes within Northcote are not large and with more multi dwellings being built upon existing blocks our children are finding there is insufficient space to play outdoors. It is particularly concerning, especially in this time of rising childhood obesity rates, that the proposal will be built on a large sports oval where children have the space to run and play freely without being constrained to playground equipment that teenagers often find is aimed at younger children. Many children already participate in organised sport and will travel to play. I feel you are removing an additional outlet for them to be able to organise their own informal games with friends and family or to participate in already organised outdoor sporting activities that occur at McDonnell Park. Loss of dog-walking area. Being a dog owner over the years I have seen the community spirit and friendships that have grown from dog owners and dog walkers having the area to socialise. I often see many elderly people taking their dog for a walk around the oval during the day and I feel that we will be taking away a very important part of their social outlet and ability to have contact with others. Increased traffic congestion, car parking and noise in a quiet residential zone. I have concerns that the Sports Stadium will be operating well into the evening. Being a basketball player myself I often play games late at night, some that even commence at 10.30pm. I am concerned that the Sports Stadium operating late into the evening will generate unacceptable noise levels and traffic in a quiet residential zone. The experience of weekend sport at McDonnell Park and the Northcote Swimming Pool has also already shown that many participants often have a disregard for parking restrictions and a lack of respect for residents and I and my neighbours have frequently experienced our driveways being parked across and nature strips being used for parking. At least with the current weekend sports program and restricted swimming pool opening hours we find that the situation does not extend beyond 6pm.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 17 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments My concern is that with a Sports Stadium operating beyond these hours the situation will become unbearable and extend well into the evening and residents will not even be able to park outside their own homes late at night in turn generating safety concerns. I also have concerns over how sports participants often drive down the road generating safety concerns for our children and the elderly. Many participants, particularly when running late, often speed down the road and I find this is unacceptable in a residential zone. Safety concerns in relation to the impact on children’s services. Clifton Street Children’s Centre is located in close proximity to the proposed Sports Stadium site and there is also a child minding facility at the Northcote Aquatic Centre. I have concerns that the increased traffic congestion will result in a serious injury to a child and that a Sports Stadium should be located several kilometres away from existing children’s services. Dislocation of long-term tenant sports clubs. I have a young son that is looking forward to commencing the Auskick program and playing for the Northcote Junior Football Club which are located at McDonnell Park. There is also a Milo cricket program that is run at McDonnell Park. In order to appease the netball and basketball playing minority you are proposing to dislocate the current clubs which many of our youngsters look forward to participating in and now you will force the football and cricket playing community to travel great distances to play these sports. Please select a site that will not impact on the residents that enjoy the green space at McDonnell Park 51 Date 25 June 2015 Response Darebin Cannot Afford to Lose Any More Green Areas. If the development of this sports stadium must be within Darebin, I propose that the Council expand the purpose and usage of John Cain memorial park, which is heavily underutilized with lots of available parking. Do not bring more large school buses onto already congested Victoria Rd and Separation St. Do not increase traffic congestion and noise in our residential zone. Do not reduce the green areas within Northcote. Do maximize the existing structures within Northcote without compromising on your residents' access to green areas. Cain Memorial Park is a large park, close to public transport, easily accessible via various roads, has existing underutilised grounds, has existing underutilised buildings, has existing underutilised parking, and is supposed to be a sports precinct. McDonnell Park is not a viable option for a multi-sports stadium. It is surrounded by small streets and little available parking, and is already fully-utilized on weekends. McDonnell Park is also the only green area within walking distance, and the loss of McDonnell Park to a massive development would mean, again, that the Council is reducing dog-walking and child-friendly play areas. As it currently stands, McDonnell Park is used heavily by locals for kid’s sports, and informal family friendly gatherings, with animals. Separation Street and Victoria road cannot handle any further traffic, with no provisions made by the Council to date for the new high-density housing developments on Victoria Rd and Separation St as is. Parking in the area on weekends is already difficult, with heavy traffic on weekends and in summer, with increased use of the pool. Preferably, this development should occur in the suburbs further North. Users of the pool at Victoria Rd are frequently travelling in from the Reservoir and other northern suburbs. This proposed development should be built closer to those suburbs to offer great access to the residents in those suburbs. 52 Date 26 June 2015 Response We have great concern about the possible decision of using Meyer Park for the proposed multi- use stadium. Council must be aware that also Normanby Ave is seen as a major road, it is actually a narrow single road and heavily trafficked as it is the only cross link between Central Northcote/Thornbury and the Tullamarine freeway and westwards. In the Meyer Park area it is lined with houses on north and east sides. As a valuable local amenity, it is the largest open park in the area, regularly used by many local people for formal and informal exercise. A big sports facility such as that proposed being located there would entail not only the huge loss of irreplaceable open land, but a major increase in traffic, parking, pollution and considerable noise. Night use would also introduce the nuisance of lighting, all the above in a residential area. As our council, Darebin has a responsibility to look to the detail of such proposals and not just pick on the first obviously open space. A much more suitable location would be on a main road, for example near the Cain park and factory outlets. Please consider the above comments. A wrong choice would be a permanent disadvantage to this community.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 18 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 53 Date 26 June 2015 Response I have and lived with my wife and family of two children at 52 Clifton Street Northcote since 1980 (until one child married and move to her new home about four streets away). We have three Grand children aged 12, 9 and 6 all living within 1 kilometre of McDonald Park Northcote. Two of these children along with their parents are actively involved in Basketball and play in the Collingwood Basketball Association at various locations in the Northern suburbs. The eldest is a team member at the Northcote Junior Football Club at McDonald Park both parents participating as team managers in both sports and all three grandchildren are involved with swimming at the Northcote Aquatic Centre. Our own Children through the late 80’s and 90’s also played Basketball at Reservoir and Football at McDonnell Park, John Cain Park and Hayes Park along with little athletics at Heidelberg. My Wife and I have been actively involved in all our children’s sports as team managers, coaches, time keepers and most other aspects of children’s sports as well as using McDonnell Park to play all types of outdoor sports and recreation activities. I would suggest that building on the existing open space park lands should not be considered as these areas are best set aside for the general community benefit I have noticed in our open space part of McDonnell Park over the last 35 years that all age groups and gender do participate recreational activities such as taking a Stroll, Throwing a Frisbee, Kicking a ball, Flying a kite, Jogging, Exercising, Relaxing, Walking Pets, Playing all types of ball games. People on their lunch break taking the Opportunity to get out of their cars and stretch out and take a walk. The Major Regional Leisure Facilities Report and the Outdoor Multi Court Feasibility Study has identified an immediate need for more indoor / outdoor courts but these Reports and Studies should never overshadowed the proportion of the community that do not play formal types of team sports but when considering the findings of the reports perhaps other reports community surveys {if any} on passive recreation should also be considered. I do understand that this information sheet regarding the Multi Sport stadium is asking the community for their views on Viability, Size and Location. The Reports and Study findings That relate to the need for a Multi court indoor / outdoor stadium but unfortunately the information contained does not mention the loss of open space and the impact on passive recreation due to the loss of open space. The other problem with asking the community for a response to the Darebin Councils proposal to build a stadium in the Southern part of the City is that they do not have any estimations or reports as to the amount of people using the stadium so as a parking and traffic plan can be presented in way that the community can base their response on all aspects not just the facts and figures that this information proposal is presenting. I have witnessed many traffic incidents in and around McDonnell Park and in Summer time every parking spot within three street are occupied by visitors to either the Cricket Club or the Aquatic Centre and in winter many irate residents complain about cars parked right up to and even encroaching the drive ways as Saturday is Auskick and Sunday Junior Football with training on weeknights pick up and drop off are currently causing traffic jams. The local sports clubs and visiting teams using the Club rooms and the two ovals are parking in the McDonnell Park Sports club and Aquatic centre car parks and these are inadequate if you take into consideration the cars and trucks parking in the Sports club and Aquatic centre car parks due to dual occupancy and Multi dwelling developments in the vicinity of McDonnell Park and with population rates along with sports participation rates growing at the Football and Cricket clubs at a rate similar to the rate the consultants project then traffic and parking will continue to be a problem. McDonnell Park Sports Clubs are currently using the facilities to a maximum considering that in Winter they Host Auskick and Summer Kanga Cricket for younger children {very fast growing inner suburban} and Northcote Junior Football Club using both ovals on Sundays, Summer time Dennis Cricket Club use both ovals and play on Friday night and Saturdays The Aquatic centre and Tennis courts including the McDonnell Park Day Care Centre 6am – 6pm Monday to Friday. So introducing another Sports Stadium would just add to the existing traffic problems and using the open space park for Car parking ahead of the general community’s requirement for open space just does not make sense to me. * Would I use the propose multi – sports stadium? Members of my family would. * Where do I think the best location for the stadium is? Darebin Enterprise Centre Site. * What sort of facilities should the proposed stadium include? It should cater for most indoor and outdoor court type games along with community facilities. * Do I think the proposed stadium will increase sports participation rates in Darebin. Yes along with the football and cricket clubs junior sports participation is defiantly growing.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 19 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 54 Date 26 June 2015 Response WHIN is the regional women’s health service in Melbourne’s northern region, operating since 1992. WHIN is committed to improving the health, safety and wellbeing of women. We are a not for profit, member-based organisation run for and by women to improve the health outcomes for women by addressing gender inequities and the determinants of women’s health, safety and wellbeing. When working towards gender equality, action must be taken to confront and change both the norms we hold about gender, our attitudes and beliefs, and also the structures, including the built environment that are present at all levels of society and create barriers which prevent the equal and full participation of women and girls in society. It is well-established and understood that physical activity is essential for mental and physical health and wellbeing and WHIN welcomes the proposal of a Multi-Sports Stadium in Darebin. However, there are particular barriers to women and girls involvement in sport and physical activity that need to be considered and addressed. WHIN is requesting that the Darebin City Council ensure comprehensive consideration of the structural barriers to women and girl’s participation in sport when developing the multi-sports stadium. The fantastic work of Darebin Council in addressing and challenging the gendered norms and stereotypes that present a barrier to women’s participation needs to be supported by the creation of facilities such as the Multi-Sports Stadium that provide a practical, accessible and safe environment. The follow discussion highlights a number of issues and barriers to women’s participation and aims to provide solutions and suggestions to overcome them. Some of the recommendations included propose additions to the building design to ensure a comprehensive facility is created to benefit the Darebin community. Women and girl’s experience many and varied barriers to participating in physical activity. These include time, caring demands, lower socioeconomic status, body image, safety and urban planning and existing health conditions. Often the barriers are connected, as is the case with caring demands and lack of time. The social construct of gender can mean that women do not reach adequate levels of physical activity due to their roles in paid and unpaid work. This extends to family commitments which are a barrier to physical activity for women more often than they are for men. With caring for others a key part of many women’s lives, time spent on self-care including physical activity can be limited. 14% of Australian women attribute insufficient time due to family commitments as their main reason for not participating in sports or physical recreation. People with at least one child at home were 20% less likely to be ‘sufficiently’ active than those without, and as women are more commonly the primary carers of children, they are more likely to be physically inactive*.Therefore supporting women who may access this facility on behalf of others (e.g. bringing children to basketball) provides an opportunity to also engage them in physical activity. Access to well-lit, accessible and safe sporting grounds and amenities are critical to the engagement of women and girls in physical activity and sport. Appropriate urban design ensures all residents have easy access to amenities and recreation facilities, and can help foster a sense of community and connectedness. Recommendations: Childcare/playgroup facilities available on site to provide parents with an option of care of young children when parents are participating in sports. Family change rooms that provide facilities for parents. Parents of children who will participate in sports should also be provided with the opportunity to engage in physical activity whilst supporting/watching their children. This may be in the form of outdoor gym equipment or multipurpose rooms with the ability to hold exercise classes. Inclusion of a playground/play area for use by children attending the facility to watch a sibling play sport also provides an opportunity for other family members to be active. Well lit paths, entrances and car parks. Sensibly located, secure and accessible, public toilets and change facilities, including appropriate rooms for referees and umpires. *Data was sourced from Women’s Health Victoria’s Gender Impact Assessment on Women and Physical Activity.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 20 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments 55 Date 26 June 2015 Response Please accept this response as a rejection from all the NCFC stakeholders which includes its current players, families, and its members - for the idea of DAREBIN Council to be considering the John Cain Memorial precinct to have an additional Multi-Sports Stadium be erected on the NCFC South Grass training ground between the velodrome & main pitch. Northcote City FC is struggling to cater for it members as is, with the current grounds configuration and lease agreements, and the minimal availability of the DISC synthetic facilities. To allow more grounds to be taken away from us, our future plans to encourage greater female participation and the growth of our disability programmes will come to a halt. Simply put, taking facilities and space away, means that what we have tried to achieve over the last few years will disappear, failing our members and the greater community. As disclosed today, NCFC is committed to growing the club and catering for greater participation in our sport without discrimination of any sort. The NCFC Master Plan for the John Cain Memorial Park Precinct includes the use of the land between our main pitch and velodrome, and hence must not be considered for any other purpose other than that disclosed today. Please include NCFC in any future planning meetings to discuss the Master Plan for John Cain Memorial Park - looking forward to dovetailing our plans & working towards a common goal. 56 Date 28 June 2015 Response I think McDonnell Park (Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre) is the best site for the proposed multi-sports stadium for southern Darebin because; it is centrally located within southern Darebin (10 minute walk from Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre); it is served by 5 different bus routes which stop either at the site or within 5 minute walk of it: 1. City to La Trobe University (Route 250) 2. City to Northland (Route 251) 3. Moonee Ponds to Alphington (Route 508) 4. Moonee Ponds Interchange (connecting with Tram Routes 59 and 82) 5. Essendon to Ivanhoe (Route 510) 6. Northcote to Reservoir (Route 552) it is already a sporting centre and would become a wonderful complex combining the proposed multi-sports stadium with the existing playing fields, aquatic centre, gymnasium and tennis courts, providing operational synergies for Darebin Council, meeting the recreational needs of southern Darebin and constituting a facility of which Darebin city, its council and residents could be justly proud. 57 Date 29 June 2015 Response I am a long time resident of Northcote and frequent McDonnell Park and the NARC. It is incomprehensible to me why we not only would need another sports stadium but also the fact that it is proposed to be built in one of the very few green areas left in Darebin. We already have a white elephant that is the Darebin International Sports stadium that is underutilised. Why not upgrade that facility and encourage use of it? The traffic situation between Darebin Road to Westgarth street has been steadily getting worse over the last few years – in part due to the contribution of multi storey dwellings at the former ten pin bowling site. Entering and exiting the NARC/McDonnell park is already very precarious especially at peak times and parking along Victoria road is already a nightmare – especially in summer and peak times. Adding to this traffic will make it dangerous. I hope you will reconsider. 58 Date 29 June 2015 Response I am a Northcote resident and am totally opposed to the proposed development of the Sport Stadium at the McDonnell Park site. This park is a highly valued community resource for many sports clubs, walking groups, multiple excercise groups, play area for young and old and families alike. This section of the community does not require such a development, in fact the attraction of the park far outweighs the 'benefits' of a PPP stadium/housing development. This park area is full of young families who thrive on taking their kids out to enjoy the safe parkland at all times of the year.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 21 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments The Football and Cricket clubs who train there are vital for the community spirit - outdoor recreation far exceeds the proposed developments. Being a mother of two young boys I can say my family has made many local freinds by the simple use of this local park area. Look for another site Darebin Council. 59 Date 3 July 2015 Response I have lived in Darebin for three decades. I have always loved the parks and I use many of them regularly. I am now nearly sixty and I am fit. I am able to maintain my fitness because of access to the parks. I am horrified that the Council has instructed an organisation to prepare a report on the basis that the Stadium will be built on specific sites, without considering the obvious options of former industrial sites or State government land – which could be purchased. These would be the obvious choices. It is most concerning that the current Council has disregarded its own policy on Open Spaces – I cannot recall the exact name but the policy focuses on the preservation of open parkland. How did that occur? Second, I am now getting on and just as young people, young women in particular need to be able to exercise, so do older people. The parks, such as McDonnell Park are used by people of all ages to exercise. Kids play footy and soccer there – including the women’s footy team. I have loved using McDonnell Park for decades. I walk there, I run, I take my dogs for walks, often several times a day. I put water down for the Ringtail possums and birds in the hot weather. I meet people there. In short, it provides a lot to the community – in terms of people’s physical and mental wellbeing. I believe that there was a possibility of building the stadium on the second floor of another premises at the John Cain Memorial Park. It would be perfect to have the stadium on this site. The planning for the proposed Stadium has to be properly considered. Constructing a stadium so that young people get exercise by removing precious parkland that is already used by the community for exercise is illogical. It is also illogical to ignore the existing policy (the Open land/Park land policy). The land can be obtained by purchasing former industrial sites or State government land. The intended housing could be built on this land and it would still raise the funds to pay for the Stadium and cover at least some of the cost of the purchase of the land. Please do not proceed with the proposal on the basis of the flawed report which assumes the stadium must be built on the irreplaceable park land in Darebin. A much better plan can be created – which does not cause the problems that the current plans do. 60 Date 6 July 2015 Response As a rate payer in Christmas St Northcote paying very high yearly rates I object to the proposed plan by city of Darebin Councillors to utilise a small area of green space in Inner Darebin at McDonnell Park to build a multimillion dollar sports stadium- and possibly a housing development. I object to the loss of green space in my local area This will severely impact on the amenity of the local area for all residents who value the current green space for formal group sports combined with informal exercise and play. It would be an enormous loss of dog walking area for residents and will impact on the swimming pool - already a very busy place during summer, cause increased traffic congestion and noise for residents in the local area This would be a great infringement on the rate paying residents of the local area I am concerned that Darebin council has breached its own consultation policy guidelines by deleting Thornbury Mayer Park from the selection process without due, diligent, open and transparent consultation It seems that Darebin council does have a lot to answer for as recently exposed in the media. I object to the lack of public consultation with local residents nearby to McDonnell Park. Who will be most severely affected by this proposal? 61 Date 7 July 2015 Response I couldn’t access the online questionnaire – but just wanted to make the following comments about the proposed multi-sports stadium. I live in Northcote and strongly support this proposed development.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 22 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments I think the area needs more facilities for netball and basketball (games, comps and training) especially. My children play netball and currently have to travel outside the council area to train and play netball. Their teams are made up primarily of other kids and teenagers who also live in the southern part of the Darebin council area. I think then a sports stadium in a location close to public transport and in the south part of the Darebin council area would be ideal. I strongly support Mayer Park as the best location which is easily accessible by public transport tram, buses and not too far from trains. It is also accessible and close to bike paths. These are forms of transport used by young people – including high school kids – making it a venue they can access for games and training without parents having to drive them all the time. The site also allows for good car access where that is required. A multi-sports stadium located at Mayer Park would also be easily accessible by tram for a number of schools (both in and out of the LGA) – further benefiting young people living around the local area and making up for the shortfall of netball courts in the area. Mayer Park is located within 2km or less of multiple suburbs within and outside of the LGA – Northcote, Thornbury, Preston and East Brunswick, Brunswick, Coburg providing a central and accessible fixture and training facility for teams drawn from these surrounding suburbs encouraging and supporting team sport participation and competitions in Darebin. 62 Date 7 July 2015 Response As a resident in Northcote, I am strongly opposed to the proposal of building a sports stadium at McDonnell Park. There is absolutely not enough space at the park for a stadium of this size, and this is such a valuable green space for Northcote residents. This is a quiet residential neighbourhood and a potential loss of community space for residents. I am outraged at the possibility of selling the local community space to developers for private housing apartment towers! This shows a complete lack of respect for rate payers who contribute to keep this land usable for the community! Please consider this my complete objection to this proposal, and I am a voting member of the City of Darebin. 63 Date 8 July 2015 Response I received a flier today advising of a potential development of sporting facilities which would absorb a lot of the open green space. I was surprised to hear this and given we live on Clarendon St directly opposite I will be supporting maintaining the green space. 64 Date 10 July 2015 Response Thank you for inviting the Darebin City Bowls Club (DCBC) to the above stakeholder consultation meeting on 03 July. This meeting discussed proposals for siting 3 indoor and 4 outdoor netball-sized courts, together with associated facilities, somewhere in Darebin, south of Bell St. As requested at the meeting, we offer the following responses to the two general questions below: 1: What do you think of the concept of this proposed sports courts facility in Darebin? As there appears to be community support, DCBC is generally in favour of the council developing this additional sporting facility for netball (and other sports) somewhere in Darebin. 2: What do you think of the viability of this at the John Cain Reserve (JCR)? Subject to more detailed discussions, DCBC would in principle support the siting of these netball-sized sports courts somewhere at John Cain Reserve providing that this additional development: (a) does not affect DCBC’s existing facilities or trade; (b) can be accommodated with the agreement of other existing site users; and (c) that satisfactory additional parking facilities can be provided. In general, we would support developments that increase community participation at the site. We understand from the 2014 Feasibility Report (Site Review) that a possible site for these netball-sized courts might be immediately to the north of the velodrome. Increased visibility from Darebin Rd would be achieved by siting them on the existing southern grassed area to the east of the main entrance road; however, this area may not be available due to soccer or other requirements. Whilst the Feasibility Report notes that JCR is “well serviced with car parking”, DCBC considers the current parking facilities to be inadequate for some existing situations (e.g. when bowls, cycling and soccer events coincide – typically at weekends). Significant use for parking is currently already made, mostly at weekends, of the grassed area north-east of the velodrome,
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 23 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net No. Online Comments resulting in some grass damage. DCBC is aware that some design work was done by council, a year or two ago, for additional parking areas for existing site activities – this has not been constructed. Should the netball courts be sited at JCR, substantial additional parking area would clearly be required, together with traffic light controls at the access road junction with Darebin Rd. DCBC proposes that the unused grassed area south of the bowling greens be developed as one area of additional parking (whether or not the netball courts are at JCR); this would ease existing parking difficulties. DCBC would be happy to discuss any of the above further with the council. 65 Response I am writing to endorse the Green Open Space campaign. In Darebin we are losing more and more open space, this is at a huge cost to the community. With more and more apartments being built, the need for green open space is a no brainer, somewhere to take children who are now confined to quite small apartments. The community gardens has been a great street for people to reconnect with the concept of a ‘back yard’ now that apartments are becoming the construction norm of Darebin. I became concerned when the “Green Corridor” was sold in Ethel St and other small parcels of land along the Epping drain line met the same fate. Small houses with tiny back yards were constructed. I’m not sure if it was a Labor or Liberal decision no difference there both development at any price driven. But it was quite an omission that they left the “Green Corridor” sign even after the houses were built and it wasn’t removed until after the residents meeting about the proposed development of the block of land already outside the Thornbury Station in Ethel St. Our letters of protest to council re this development pointed out that the sign still stood next to the tram lines in Miller St. It was then removed. Once again this letter is to endorse the Open Space local campaign that the Darebin Greens Space presented as I didn’t get to sign the petition but fully agree with social petition. 66 Response Your at it again, what a waste a new stadium, whose going to use it the druggies you as well as myself and family etc know only too well your been asked as well as other stupid Councillors going way back when that woman Councillor only spoke about her sickness one term to another my family plus others not interested in your stupid ideas. Hope you join the druggies and get their names for your next election what about making the streets more safe in getting rid of the bloody trees and look at that more cars everywhere over peoples drive way and stupid lights shining in peoples windows its just as well we don’t live in the street but unfortunately we have to use it when we go home there the things that’s more important than a stupid stadium for the druggies your not interest in anything else but your pockets like all the other has beens are you supposed to have brains all we can say is you walk on them that’s our version and many other rate payers like ourselves, wake up to yourself and think of others not only yourself from a rater payer. Preston is a haven for druggies anyone can see that but you. 67 Response Refer to comments on the next page.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 24 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net
2 Written Comments – Community Survey
2.1 Introduction
At the end of the community survey respondents were invited to provide any further feedback or comments in relation to the proposed indoor/outdoor sports courts. The following provides a record of each comment. A total of 749 comments were received.
Table 2.1 Community Survey Written Comments
Code Written Comments 1. "Hand off McDonnell Park" 2. #5 Yes ABSOLUTELY!! #2 Not sure about available space. 3. 4 basketball & netball courts 4. A joke. Once an open space is removed it will not come back. 5. A large stadium is really needed for the residents of Darebin and surrounding suburbs 6. A new stadium in Darebin would be just what we need to make the area a prefect place! 7. A new stadium is much needed, considering so many other councils have large impressive stadium. 8. A permanent roller derby track would be amazing. 9. Alternatively, near the Northcote pool. 10. An excellent proposal! 11. An indoor stadium is very much needed in the south of Darebin. 12. And what about residents who live far north of Bell St but within the city of Darebin? 13. Anything to get people more active!! 14. Bike stands 15. Blake Reserve 16. Blake Reserve is ideal 17. Blake Reserve would be ideal 18. Blake reserve 19. Blake reserve is ideal 20. Bring it on! 21. Can't wait 22. Combining this proposal with the development of Northcote aquatic centre just makes sense! 23. Consolidate sports adjacent to the velodrome, soccer and lawn bowls 24. Council should protect green space at any cost. 25. Currently insufficient netball facilities for girls exist in this part of Darebin. 26. Currently my whole family must travel to Boroondara to participate in sport/basketball 27. Darebin needs this facility very much 28. Design and develop the site in partnership with the groups who will use it. 29. Desperately need good quality basketball courts. Having to go outside Darebin to train 30. Desperately needed by a growing generation of kids 31. Desperately needed with so many young families in our area. 32. Do it 33. Do it asap please :) 34. Do it! 35. Do not use Mayer park for the location 36. Doesn't make sense to kick out existing sporting teams off Mayer park. McDonald park is ideal. 37. Don't build in public parklands - we need this space more than ever
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 27 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 38. Don't put it in Mayer park. 39. Don't put it in a park 40. Don't wipe out our precious parks. Build in an industrial area or under-utilised area. 41. Effects on traffic flow and street parking need to be taken into consideration 42. Excellent idea 43. Fantastic. Glad to see our rates are going towards something useful. 44. Go for it 45. Great idea I would love to see this happen 46. Great idea and very needed by local community 47. Great idea good for community bonding 48. Great idea. We need more sporting facilities in the area. 49. Great opportunity for community clubs to grow and encourage kids into sports 50. Hand off McDonnell Park 51. Hands off Mayer Park 52. Hands off Mc Donnell Park! 53. Hands off McDonnel Park! 54. Hands off McDonnell Park 55. Hands off McDonnell Park!!!!! 56. Hands off McDonnell park!! 57. Have the traditional owners of this land been approached to what sports they wish included? 58. Help Collingwood basketball please 59. Helps build community connections, friendships and a healthy lifestyle in children 60. Hurry please and make it happen. 61. Hurry up and built it! 62. I am a resident of Normanby avenue and we welcome the proposed sports stadium! 63. I am opposed to McDonnell Park being used for this purpose 64. I believe that it would be helpful to have the stadium close to public transport or a bike path. 65. I do not believe this should happen as this is against half of Darebin's will! 66. I have heard there is a proposal to put it at Mayer park that I completely disagree with. 67. I object to the diminishing open space in Darebin, when we don't have much to begin with 68. I strongly question the requirement of such an extensive development 69. I think this is a great idea. I hope you can make it happen. 70. I think you should do gymnastics because it's a very popular girl sport 71. It is desperately needed in the Northcote area. No netball courts in close proximity 72. It is well overdue! This should be a top priority for our local and state government. 73. It needs to be in an area with plenty of parking and not a residential area with limited parking. 74. It should be equal opportunity for boys and girls 75. It should not be located at Mayer Park. 76. It sounds nice but I'd rather have a swimming pool. 77. It will destroy the local area where I walk my dogs. 78. It would be a great asset to locals given the increasing population from higher density housing 79. It would be great to have additional indoor sports facilities in the south Darebin area 80. It would be very useful for the community. 81. It's a great idea! 82. It's vital and schools are the best places to add this infrastructures 83. It’s a great idea and clearly needed 84. It’s definitely needed, as basketball & netball teams will only increase 85. Just do it 86. Just do it! 87. Leave McDonnell Park ALONE Put the damn thing somewhere else!!! 88. Long overdue before all kids I n this area grow past the age where they choose sport over nothing 89. Locate close to a High School kills two birds with one stone. 90. Long overdue and will be a great asset to the area.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 28 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 91. Lots of seating 92. Mayer Park is NOT an acceptable location. When not upgrade a brownfield site? 93. Mayer Park needs to be retained for soccer, cricket and recreational activities ie walking 94. Mayer park not appropriate - the traffic is terrible 95. More outdoor basketball courts as well. 96. More than 2 locker rooms 97. Much needed 98. Must be affordable to attend, have adequate car parking and be accessible via public transport 99. Must include sports facility for girls 100. Must needed for basketball, kids are being turned away and there is no senior competition. 101. Needs specialist coach 102. Needs to be easily accessible by train/tram/bike/foot. 103. No 104. No green open parkland should be used to build a multi-sports stadium in the south of Darebin. 105. None at this stage. 106. Not McConnell park 107. Not really 108. On Darebin Road next to the Bowling and cycling stadium close to transport. 109. Parking will be the most important thing in Darebin as it is very difficult 110. Perhaps a 4 court indoor facility 111. Please build this ASAP. It is a much needed facility for our community. Thanks 112. Please consider impact on traffic and parking on local residents. 113. Please do not take over any more green parkland in Darebin. 114. Please insulate so it isn't so cold inside!!! 115. Please look further into the proposed Ice Hockey rink at Blake Reserve, also. 116. Please put it near Northcote pool& upgrade the pool& gym facilities there too! 117. Please, no development at Mayer Park! 118. Promote girls sports 119. Question 1 only allows for 1 sport. 120. Save Mayer Park 121. Savemayerpark.org 122. Shared use with City of Yarra Clubs such as the Collingwood Allstars could work well. 123. Should not be at Mayer Park 124. Team sport is especially important for teenagers. So anything to encourage this is a good thing. 125. Tennis courts could be attached to it with outside netball and basketball courts 126. The Darebin stadium will cause more parking & traffic issues. Not welcomed in the area. 127. The ability to rank the appropriate sites for the stadium. 128. The area by the police stn sounds ideal 129. There are not enough basketball courts for such a popular grassroots sport 130. There is a great need for netball courts in particular to support female sports participation 131. There is a great need for these stadiums as currently our kids have NO safe areas to go to 132. Think ahead 133. This facility is so desperately needed in the south of Darebin. Thank you! 134. This is addresses the lack of adequate sporting facilities within Darebin 135. This is long overdue 136. This is sorely needed 137. This must not happen at the expense of Darebin’s precious green spaces. 138. This proposed multi-purpose stadium is much needed, particularly for children and young people. 139. This will bring a much needed modern facilities to the heart of Darebin. 140. This would address the lack of sporting facilities in Darebin. 141. This would be a great facility for all of Darebin! 142. This would be great for growing clubs locally and definitely a long term asset 143. To make full use of the facilities, co-locate with a high school.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 29 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 144. Transport and multiple function usage through the day should be key criteria 145. Uphold your Open Space Policy and use a brown site. 146. Urgently needed and a great idea 147. Waste of ratepayer’s money. 148. We are a family with 3 young kids so are very excited about the opportunities this can provide. 149. We need basketball stadiums desperately now! 150. We need more basketball stadiums!!! 151. We need more stadium. 152. We need somewhere indoors for Tennis. 153. While I don't play in any teams, I manage teams and my 3 kids all participate 154. Why have a sports stadium more arts spaces are more funding worthy 155. Why not do the stadium in north of Darebin? It requires major infrastructure. 156. Why not use an existing high school and consolidate the facilities. 157. Would be excellent for kids to have another outlet 158. Would be great to see this facility built in Darebin 159. Would love it at Mayer Park for my family to use as that's only 250 meters from our house 160. Yes, it needs to be the home if basketball & netball in Darebin 161. You shouldn't build it on this site, build it closer to Northcote 162. Ballislife 163. Blake reserve would be great 164. do not use Mayer park as it is a large factor within the Thornbury/Northcote community 165. great idea 166. I think it would be a very good idea for local teams 167. Make it happen!! sounds great 168. No 169. Perfect location would love to see the full project go ahead. 170. should be lots of parking 171. sustainable building implementation/practices throughout the proposed stadium 172. the sooner the better then get onto the redevelopment at Northcote aquatic and recreation centre 173. What about the north of Darebin????? Have we been forgotten again? 174. Northcote High School wants to expand its sports facilities and its proximity to Merri Park makes it a win/win for both. This way it can improve the school and give more facilities for the community. Funding could be shared between the local council and the State Government too! 175. Very surprised facility does not exist, considering the increased revenues the council is enjoying this should be a priority. Less money on bike paths more on kid’s recreation. 176. Has Darebin considered collaborating with city of Yarra to put a facility in Yarra bend park which is huge and close to the catchment area? Or converting some unused industrial land? 177. New basketball stadium is desperately needed given the enormous participation rate at Collingwood All Stars particularly. 178. As a resident and ratepayer, I strongly support Council supporting a Multi Sport Stadium in the south of the City. 179. Make it near transport, include gym facilities for training, above it says roller derby could this also read as roller skating making it more accessible to more people but also including roller derby. No mention above about a swimming pool something that Darebin is lacking as in there is only 1 50 metre pool in the whole municipality, please consider this when designing a MULTI sports complex. 180. I am a daily user of the green space at McDonell Park. Bit by bit, I see bits of the park go to sport ie increasing the cricket nets. There is a large group of non sports users of the park who actively contribute to the park and its surrounds. It is a very social park with many people using it on a daily or twice daily basis. These users have limited mention in the feasibility study. Parking is already problematic and at times unsafe with too many users, too many children and dogs going through the carpark. Sport sometimes overtakes the entire park which discriminates other more regular users. I walk 7 blocks to get to the park. The park and its
people and spaces play an important role in my life.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 30 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 181. The traffic and parking implications of a stadium need to be considered - so a location like Mayer Park would create enormous traffic problems in narrow streets whilst some of the other locations would handle an increase in traffic more easily...I also think that the emphasis on netball needs to be widened to other sports as well...important for female participation in sport - but other team sports are just as needy when it comes to venues in Darebin. Ideally, this stadium would be located in Merri Park to allow weekday access to NHS students - however this would result in a loss of open space for the school which is undesirable. 182. The SGL Consultants report was very poorly worded in regards to Mayer Park & Northcote Golf Course and how this facility could be located at one or both. SGL did not note that Mayer Park is a key community resource that is well used with lots of little kids around soon to be of organised sport age. The Golf Course is very poorly used. Build a stadium where the golf course clubhouse is located looking out over both Mayer Park and the Golf Course. Please note that traffic on Normanby Ave and Leinster Gve is already particularly heavy on weekends. Thanks. 183. Besides outdoor netball it should also cater for outdoor basketball (court or court markings and net with backboard). 184. The identification of Mayer Park as the preferred location for the multi-sport stadium without proper community consultation at the initial stages of the feasibility study is appalling and indicative of the lack of respect Council has for its residents and for the environment. 185. One of the best ideas yet! Only netball courts should be inside. I work at netball clubs and not having enough courts is a major reason girls can't play! 186. Northcote Aquatic Centre could be a suitable location, but only if there is no impact on the facilities that are already there. But I cannot see how such a facility could be squeezed onto the current footprint, particularly if there is no plan to build an extra car park to cater for weekend demand. 187. The McDonnell Park Precinct is already adjacent to Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre and has a high use by the local community as well as there is an increase in population growth which would benefit from the development of a multi-sports facility in this area. 188. This area is in desperate need of a facility like this. My son and I travel from Northcote to participate in the Collingwood all stars. Both the city of Yarra and Darebin are really missing these facilities in their infrastructure. A must have vote winning move. 189. There may very well be the need for a new sport stadium in Darebin, especially for netball which I understand has limited options in our area. Mayer Park, however, is not the answer. Mayer Park is a wonderful community asset that is already very well utilised for dog walking, soccer, cricket, other sport and general recreation. 190. My son has played with Collingwood Basketball Club for a number of years and I'm disappointed with the lack of a basketball stadium in Darebin South. The club experiences crowded training due to the lack of courts. It’s very important to encourage youth participation in sport and a Darebin South stadium would help. We're very envious of the basketball facilities in the outer eastern suburbs and feel disadvantaged in Northcote. We are residents of Northcote. 191. There is an assumption that the ball sports proposed for the centre meet the community's exercise requirements, when this may not be the case -Mayer Park is a multi use green space for local residents -it is the only local off-lead dog park -there is already a significant impact on the local residents from current traffic generated by the use of Mayer Park. This would only worsen with a sports stadium -there are any number of industrial sites in Darebin that should be considered before the council turns its sights to public green spaces 192. An indoor facility will allow an opportunity for local community members to organise clubs that will participate in team sports at the proposed stadium. 193. The population of young families is growing enormously in the Darebin Catchment and as such community facilities such as schools and sporting stadiums need to support these needs. It's clear that the Darebin residence would welcome additional infrastructure to encourage participating in grass roots community sports. The benefits are far reaching beyond obesity and include social and community connectedness, positive mental health benefits and opportunity for positive peer influences. 194. We have lived in Thornbury for 16 years and have seen large growth in the number of children in the area, and are of the firm believe that an indoor sport stadium is essential to encourage increased participation in active sports 195. I think more sporting facilities are sorely needed in Darebin. I worry about my children's ease of access to team sports. Also the Northcote swimming pool facilities are appalling. 196. There is no evidence to link building of sports facilities with increased physical activity in the obese. Outside sports, recreational activities like walking, gentle exercise classes and incidental walking are the ways that community members who are inactive become active. The key focus should thus be fixing our footpaths, spend the money on that initially (there is apparently a very long wait for footpath repairs), then trees in parks and along streets for shade when walking, water fountains, more public rubbish and recycling bins outside shopping areas too, safer streets, more exercise in park classes which can also be accessed at times when office workers are available. This should be council's focus - it also aligns with findings from the Leisure Strategy that walking is the most common form of leisure and recreation activity undertaken in Darebin - so Council should be supporting this. Not another sports stadium for a small group of people. 197. Hands off McDonnell Park. Stadium needs to be close to public transport, ideally major tram route or train
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 31 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments station. Not a bus route. 198. Mayer Park would be an extremely bad location. Huge loss of green space which is already lacking. Many, many casual users who don't play organised sport would be displaced. Numerous sporting teams who have already been displaced due to losing sports grounds would be displaced again. Sports with insufficient recreation areas would have no place to go. 199. I think a stadium in Darebin is absolutely necessary. I'm play basketball as do my kids and to have a close location would be great. I've discussed with a number of parents at school how a stadium is needed in the area. I, and others, would undoubtedly use it. 200. There is also fees involved in entering a stadium/group sport and many people can't afford this. On the other hand Personal trainers and our local gyms provide much needed exercise programs catered to suit individuals. Our current usage of the Darebin Parklands are substantial hence sporting clubs use the premises for training and game days. A Stadium built in Darebin would most certainly be inviting to enhance the precinct of Preston nearby the restaurant strips and Preston Market. Bell Street provides much needed transport facilities re train, bus and tram both Gilbert Rd and Plenty Rd. 201. Create a working relationship with the popular sport and recreation program at neighbouring school, NCAT on Murray road, East Preston opposite T W Blake. 202. I think that there should an indoor cricket pitch. I think that having a stadium is quite a good idea because i think that it will get more people into sports. 203. This is a much needed facility and will increase sporting participation rates for girls and women. 204. How do individuals/local community use a sports stadium? Is it more likely you are providing facilities for organised sports teams? Please explain how a stadium benefits the local community - what does evidence suggest? There are many forms of physical activity that do not require a 13 million dollar sports stadium. I do not participate in organised sport BUT I ride to work, walk the dog, Question 4 is utterly simplistic - I don't consider "Do you think..." a very valid piece of evidence to support a 13 million $ piece of infrastructure 205. We also need to encourage sports clubs based from the facility, as there is a lack of clubs for youth in the area. A multitude of kids are joining the Collingwood club, as there is no equivalent in south Darebin. A large, multi purpose facility would also allow for the school to meet as one. 206. I live near Mayer Park and from walking my dog and exercising there, I have gained a lot of health benefits as well as meeting a lot of people who live near me. There is no other way I do this and I'd be devastated if Mayer Park was no longer available for my health and wellbeing. There are already so few dog parks and so many dogs. 207. Desperately needed. It is awful that us residents of South Darebin area constantly have to travel to other council areas to do sports. 208. Having a basketball club based at the new stadium would be valuable. We currently drive to Collingwood for 'Aussie Hoops' for the kids with the expectation they'll play in the 'All Stars' club team eventually. Would much prefer being able to walk (or ride our bikes) to a local facility & club. 209. The Northern Football League would like to be involved with this project with an aim to utilise the indoor courts on Friday Night. 210. It would be a great addition to the community & allow more families in the area an advantage to be inclusive with sport. Also develops a more supportive community 211. Close proximity to public transport is very important so that young people can get there independently. 212. I use Mayer park for running and playing with my dog. It is a really popular dog park where dog owners meet and socialise, not just a sporting location. I would oppose any development of this site. 213. The oval at Northcote High School is an excellent location as it would be available to families of NHS as well as the wider community. This could generate guaranteed revenue for high and us of facilities. As Darebin's largest and only High School it is a very fitting location and would be widely applauded amongst the community 214. I think access to public transport is a really important consideration here. To me it seems to defeat the purpose somewhat of increasing sports participation if everyone has to drive to/ from the stadium. The other thing I think it is important to consider is that Mayer Park already abuts a notorious rat run (Leinster Grove). If Darebin chooses to select Mayer Park for the stadium then I would want to see some traffic measures put in place otherwise I think there could be significant congestion impacts. 215. It is an absolute must to cater for the large numbers currently having to participate outside of our community. Birth rates are increasing in this area & we need to take action to ensure all have fair access. As parent to 3 active children in which I am involved in coaching & on their sporting committees I have seen firsthand the lack of facilities available causing issues for training in safe environments (at times we have been offered outdoor venues with uneven surfaces & with poor lighting as we are so overloaded with teams. Travelling times makes training straight after school impossible for many families & having children playing multiple sports in multiple venues ( sometimes as far as Prahran ) requires logistical expertise on a regular basis. A local stadium is crucial for our children to continue participating. Healthy bodies & healthy minds are every community’s responsibility.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 32 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 216. Roller derby is the fastest growing women's sport in the world. With a unique culture of inclusivity for LGBTQI participants and growing men's and junior's sub divisions. However, local leagues are struggling with the costs associated with renting practice and game space. The Victorian Roller Derby League are the #1 ranked league in Australia and are home to #3 of 308 ranked teams in the world, the skaters in this league provide the highest quality coaching and gameplay available in Australia. Victoria is home to Hundreds of competitive as well as retired casual skaters which span many age groups and provides fitness opportunities from casual to internationally competitive. The league currently trains and bouts within the city of Darebin, and would love to continue to do so, but they need support to make this sustainable. A multi-sport stadium that included a space suitable and available for roller derby training and bouting would be a huge help for this sport. 217. People need places to enjoy moderate exercise, not high intensity places like courts. Having green open spaces has an under rated psychological benefit for people living in high density areas. 218. The importance of physical exercise is more prominent than ever We all need to get active and it needs to be convenient 219. If you leave the status quo and promote normal family activities (walking, talking, and using the existing facilities) we will all, at least, keep our present state of fitness and save the ever diminishing open space in our fair City. Why you should even consider Mayer Park as a Site, when the possible participants, by your own listing, are based in the north of Darebin, and is also the source of the future population expansion. The Indoor Bowling site at McDonnell Park would have been great!! 220. I am very keen to participate more in sports and also encourage my young children to be part of a team sport. More facilities make this easier. Mayer Park in Thornbury is the perfect spot - it's currently underutilized and a prime location accessible to many people in the area. 221. i do not support the development of the multi sport stadium at Mayer park I believe the current open space facilities are satisfactory 222. As a local resident with a family of 5, sporting clubs are an extremely important part of my children's lives and our local community generally. At our local basketball club, Collingwood Basketball Assoc, we find a fantastic community that brings together people from all backgrounds in a friendly and healthy environment, albeit in challenging facilities. A new facility would be extremely worthwhile to foster this kind of social inclusion and healthy lifestyle. 223. As mentioned above, part of the questionnaire should have included the 4 locations being considered so that members of the public could nominate a preference and give reasons. Not very useful questionnaire otherwise apart from giving a small indication of current team sport participation in limited sports!
224. Roller Derby is the fastest growing women's sport in the world, and one that inspires great passion amongst its players. It also attracts a demographic of people who do not normally participate in traditional sports. Currently my Roller Derby League - Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL) - is currently ranked third in the world! This is a huge achievement for a sport that is completely unfunded, and as VRDL's members, training and games are firmly rooted in City of Darebin and surrounds, it would make sense for Darebin to foster and support the sport. 225. The feasibility study focused on the requirements of netball, which is an excellent sport for players into their 40s. Croquet (and bowls) are sports which retain and attract players into their 90s. Provision for sport for mature to elderly people is critical to maintain activity levels into old age. Ideally a plan for a sports hub would include a range of sports so that players could segue from one to another. A croquet provision would require 3 to 4 courts each 28 by 35 yards (the size of two tennis courts) with a one yard buffer, ideally sown with Santa Ana grass and equipped with lights to enable play in the evenings. There are no local croquet courts -
the closest clubs are in Ivanhoe Park, Kew, and Brunswick. 226. The space needs to locate in an area that will enable its use all through the day and evening and by different groups and organisations. It’s really annoying when facilities are only utilized a few hours each day or a few days per week. 227. A proper basketball stadium is so badly needed in the area. The Collingwood Basketball Association has for the past 6 years been trying to get a badly needed stadium without any progress. Their current facilities are poor to say the least. There are in the vicinity of 900 plus players at this club of which I believe that at least 70% are from Northcote, Thornbury, North Fitzroy. Any facility here would immediately help basketball in the area. Let's not forget that the current availability of basketball "rings" in the area is poor. There have been two rebuilds in the past few years of a small area next to Northcote station and another more recently in Alphington which "upgraded" two half courts. For practice purposes half courts are useless and whoever keeps designing them clearly doesn't have an understanding of Basketball. 228. Team sports is a very important part of children’s lives; socially, health and wellbeing, physically. To do that a centre that caters is vitally important. 229. We need a basketball stadium in Northcote. My team shooters is a dare in based team and we travel long distances each week as we don't have a home stadium in Darebin. Further our training is limited to the polding centre at Santa Maria or Fairfield primary school. A local stadium will encourage the growth of junior basketball and potentially mature age. I play over 30s at temples town each week. I know of at least 6 teams that have members who live in Northcote, Fairfield. A local stadium will enable a local mature age evening competition to grow and prosper.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 33 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 230. the current stadium in Darebin at reservoir district secondary school needs to be either updated to accommodate for a variety of sports or superseded by a new stadium nearby 231. Maher Park is not an appropriate venue for the stadium. It is presently used by a diverse group of users including dog walkers, cricket and soccer players, children and school and community groups. Many of these groups would be displaced by such a venue in favour of those interested solely in basketball, netball and team sports. A Council decision to locate the stadium in Maher Park will encounter serious and sustained opposition from the community local to the area. There are very few large open green spaces in this area and, given that the Northcote golf course is accessible only to golfers and not to the public generally, it would be detrimental to the many users of Maher Park to lose this facility. 232. I'm aware of the recent voice against Mayer park but as a local resident in adjacent Ballantyne street I think with appropriate parking facilities in place it would be a fantastic boon to a space that is seriously under- utilised with minimal facilities at present. 233. As president of Foosball Victoria, and resident of Thornbury, we are constantly seeking an appropriate venue to host our state championships (yes, it's a thing). We typically book venues with a hall and cafe/bar so I would suggest kitchen facilities and/or a cafe (ideally licensed) be considered. 234. Well, what I and many others do for exercise, funnily enough IS WALK TO THE PARK. A good way to address having low levels of exercise or being sedentary is walking to a beautiful park. Sport is not the only way to exercise in fact many people don't play sport but that doesn't mean they don't exercise. I don't believe a compelling case has not been made for building a sports stadium. I certainly don't see a case for taking over an existing park when green spaces are scarce and I have a particular love of McDonnell park. The McDonnell Park is a haven for Northcote residents - quiet, with the most beautiful well established (old) native trees, a huge number of them, almost like an arboretum. It is a magical park. Parrots - lorikeets and grass parrots have begun over the past few years to frequent the park. I don't have a dog, but many people take their dogs there and it is a very social space. Northcote population density is getting ridiculous - we NEED green spaces not sports stadiums. We have just had an enormous apartment build next to the pool on Victoria Rd. The road is already heavy with traffic most of the time. It is unthinkable to me that the land behind this is under consideration for the stadium. There is another huge apartment build about to start a little further down Victoria Rd (Libertine). Again, the existing infrastructure was barely coping before the addition of these. Now it will be put under extreme strain, especially given the existence of the railway crossings. If it can't be stopped altogether, the stadium should be near bell st entertainment centre, close to public transport, (train and St George’s rd tram). Parks are needed now more than ever. 235. Please consider a great large stadium for many sports for our children to continue to be active and participate in community activities 236. It’s the most hair brained idea another loss making white elephant. Where’s the extra open space, loosing park land to buildings and parking at very little benefit ,except to developers and corrupt councillors 237. There are other avenues to increase the sports participation. Especially with other multi sport complex nearby how about expanding DISC? 238. Sport has been so important to my son in building understanding of working as a team as well as the physical and mental joy of the actual sport itself. It is so fabulous too that our area is so ethnically diverse and sport is a great way to bring people together generally. 239. Don't build on parkland! We need to keep what we have. Instead, build on industrial land or somewhere close to public 240. Collingwood Basketball Association has grown rapidly during the past 5 years and as a player and coach at the club I have recognised that the current facilities do not accommodate for the number of players. A new stadium is essential for the basketball club to continue to expand and get more people involved in sport in the community. 241. This is a no-brainer. There is a dearth of basketball facilities and most of the schools refuse to open up their halls. 242. Yes I do. I play on the women's team of the Darebin United football club. Our home ground is Mayer Park which I understand is one the parks being targeted for demolition in order to create this sporting complex. If you go ahead with this proposal at Mayer park an entire football club including three men's teams, a women's team and a juniors team not to mention club meetings, events, clubhouse and offices will be effected and potentially permanently without a ground and clubhouse. Please think about this. 243. Basketball is a growing sport for children and the need for children in Darebin to do more activity is paramount. This sport is our families preferred sport. It's safe, keeps kids fit, and is a very inclusive sport. Please support more basketball in Darebin. 244. Oakover road factory land re-use combined with public land at St Georges will not be opposed and creates a strong hub area that will be attractive to residents. Renovating commercial use land is a better proposal. 245. Any facility that encourages physical activity is welcome. The most welcoming kind of community sports facility has a strong social aspect where people can enjoy on a casual or competitive level. 246. I am thrilled about the proposal and would help out in the campaign. Great community initiative to get the population in sport - and keep me off punt road (to Collingwood basketball stadium)
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 34 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 247. Personally I'm very active without being involved with team sport & currently enjoy Mayer with dozens of others. The open space, that allows for dog walking, cricket, soccer and general exercise for everyone. I bought nearby, 2 years ago specifically for the open space and inherent tranquility. I would be strongly against such a development as it would put a huge strain on surrounding streets and ruin the peaceful atmosphere, the site & neighbourhood currently enjoys. A simple soccer match there, already sees parking problems and increased road & traffic hazards for kids and families nearby... this beautiful pocket would be destroyed by such a major development. Please consider McDonald park as it has better & multiple accesses and already has established sporting credentials. 248. These facilities are lacking in Preston particularly and this would be fantastic, we currently play netball and basketball in our family and to not have to travel and have a local facility for the children to access would be great. Netball has a huge participation and involvement from women and I would fully support council to support women and children's participation in local sport. 249. This is a needed facility for an area of Darebin that is lacking in this sort of facility. Currently have to travel quite a distance to find court space. 250. Mayer Park is my closest park and my family primarily use it for walking / running the dog off-lead. I think it is an excellent site for the proposed new facilities and we would certainly make use of them. However, significant open space must be preserved for community use. It would seem very easy to justify using some of the land taken by the golf course, which is currently used by a very small portion of the community.
251. I think this is a greatly need facility. I am happy to see my rates going to something that will benefit so many people. 252. Really need netball courts for the girls. Futsal is great for all ages. Functions hire for parties - healthy parties for all ages would be an income in the evening or afternoon. 253. The stadium is unnecessary. 1,000's of kids and families use McDonnell Park every week exactly as it is now. It's a bit tight as it is. Our family uses it every day - even when there are games going on, for kick-to-kick and cricket practice in the nets. If there was a stadium and residential tower built, there would be no more room for us to be active every day - this council initiative would actually make us LESS active. It would also affect the 100's of dog walkers who use it every day. Why haven't you considered upgrading the eastern end of Mansfield St facilities? Or building on old industrial sites? More Australian kids play Cricket and Footy than all the imported Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Roller Derby & Futsal rubbish. Darebin Council needs to seriously consider the obvious and many negative impacts of this. Everyone we speak to thinks it is an insane idea. Put it at Mayer Park if you can't think of anywhere better - at least it's bigger. But you really should be reclaiming an industrial area - you don't need to steal parkland to put more buildings up. The extra ratepayers just aren't worth it. 254. You should merge the soccer club and golf club into the same buildings to free up more park space. And keep some of the tree space for dog off lead. 255. HANDS OFF McDONNELL PARK. STOP TURNING WHAT'S LEFT OF THIS SUBURB INTO A BLOODY CONCRETE JUNGLE. WE ALREADY HAVE THE NORTHCOTE AQUATIC CENTRE. 256. Having great facilities encourages our youth to get off their "screens" and participate. It is good for their physical and mental health. 257. This site (Mayer Park) would have a huge potential audience and provide great facilities to an area that has missed out in the past. 258. The Mayer park proposal is in a residential area with narrow streets. The noise and light from existing sports activities at night is already noticeable for surrounding streets, and a new facility would increase traffic, parking and noise/light pollution 259. Some of the money for the proposed stadium could be better used to improve the current status of Mayers Park, instead of developing it. Install lighting, fencing, and fix & maintain the playing surface condition. Locals want a safe greenspace to use for sports AND relaxation. 260. Mayer Park is an open space Reserve used for formal and informal use- not appropriate for a large indoor/outdoor stadium development, out of character and will destroy the Reserve. John Cain Park is a sporting hub- much more suitable option 261. THis is desperately needed. We have a son in a local basketball team and training venues are so short we currently have a different venue and time slot from week to week. This is difficult as we are all busy with varying commitments and this could be a disincentive to continued involvement of some families.
262. I am adamantly opposed to green space or park land in densely populated southern end of Darebin being considered the default option for stadium development. Particularly concerned by proposed site at Mayer park. Physical activity goals will be reversed if parkland essential for physical, social, mental and environmental health is converted into a stadium used by a minority. Even though we play basketball this is a compromise that is not tenable. Schools (eg Bell or Northcote High) should be considered to maximise multi- use through day and night for such an expensive facility. A waste if stand alone. Our public schools are in desperate need to such facilities. Alternatively consider industrial space- and we increase our rates to justify the expense of acquiring (or build less courts). 263. These complexes are very important community centres which have long term and far reaching outcomes.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 35 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 264. Sports facilities should be built in low income areas to promote fitness in walking distance and as affluent parents can drive to venues. Preston is close to Fairfield. 265. As a resident of the City of Darebin, I strongly support this initiative. Sport is a vital element of the lives of children and adults alike. I am particularly keen to see basketball supported by the City of Darebin. 266. Well overdue. Parents are more likely to join a local club and not travel too far. It would bring community together. Less likely for one primary school to have children playing for multiple clubs. My children attend Westgarth Primary and have no close stadiums. 267. It's about time that netball is catered for in south Darebin. I played for 20 years and I would love for my daughter to play too. 268. McDonnell Park in Northcote should not be an option. This area cannot cope with the parked cars on a weekend just with football, add more sports here and it will be gridlock. It’s at the stage here that we can't get out of our driveways and the streets surrounding are just full with only cars able to drive down the roads one way. This needs to go somewhere in an Industrial area away from houses. 269. I'm a rate payer and live on Gadd St (within 400m of proposed stadium). I'm in favour of this development, for the increased value and opportunity it may bring to the area. I am not a team sports person, but I appreciate that there are many that enjoy this as part of their healthy lifestyle. As part of my healthy lifestyle, I have a dog. Having a dog as extremely good health benefits for me (and many other people). I run with and walk my dog daily and Mayer Park is great open off the lead space within walking distance from where I live. There is a great social group that meets their daily, which for me and many others is a very important part of feeling connected to the community - which in itself brings health benefits. There are not any other off the lead dog exercise areas within 2km from where I live. I insist the planning for this new facility considers the lifestyle of the 270. Save McDonnell park. The roads in Northcote are already choked, and the roads and parking are already full to the brim, we already have people parking across our driveway already when they play football or cricket. People are having to walk a kilometer just for a parking spot. This is a ridiculous idea that hasn't been thought throw. We are having more buildings going up in the area, with no improvement on infrastructure. I cannot help but think there is money changing hands over this. We will not just stand by and watch you destroy our parklands. 271. I am opposed to this stadium being built anywhere on Mc Donnell reserve or nearby vicinity. Parking is at its peak now and this will increase the parking problems we have now, due to Oz Kick, football, Cricket, swimming pool and gymnasium. Although there are parking restrictions these are not monitored by council. 272. Darebin needs a multi-sports stadium to bring this City into the 21st Century. Its citizens need a dedicated space to play team sports. Healthy body healthy mind. 273. We are looking at doubling to tripling the membership of our club over the next 5 years with the addition of men's and Juniors teams to our ranks - we currently rent our own facility but would be interested in discussing an additional storey above 3 high court options to expand low court options in the area with a commercial lease being signed to rent this floor area for 70 - 100K pa. Victorian Roller Derby Contact : Tamsin Young ( Exec Comm) 0414 540 900 274. A great idea BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF PARKLAND. Where are the balloons going to take off from? Where are all of those dogs going to play? Where will we fly our kites? 275. It would be good if it is linked with another facility so that people feel safer when they attend. Also it would be handy if the venue can be used for many different purposes such as a theatre. 276. It shouldn't be located at Meyer Park - this park should remain as green space in area that is high density - open and green space is just a good for people health and wellbeing and it is currently well utilised both day and night for a variety of sports and activities 277. Where would the soccer clubs, cricket clubs and junior football teams that all use the park for trainings and games go? 278. Putting it next to Northcote high would ensure it is well used during school hours, it is very easily accessed by tram and trains and highly visible on St Georges Road. 279. Trying to find training venues for after school basketball has been almost impossible, and demand is only going to get greater. New stadium with courts for matches and practice would be fantastic 280. Darebin cannot afford to lose any further existing open spaces. Mayer Park is not only used for team sports. It is the only open space in our area for walking the dog, letting the children burn off some steam, going for a quick walk and flying a kite. This park is in need of a master plan not a multi purpose stadium!! 281. Darebin desperately needs more indoor sports facilities to accommodate its citizens. It is extremely difficult to find courts. 282. I'm very opposed to this idea. Build some indoor courts at the YMCA or John Cain if you must, but don't destroy our parks. 283. I am a Darebin resident in Fairfield. My kids attend Fairfield primary. Quite frankly i am appalled at the lack of, and poor quality of basketball/netball courts in the area. My daughter plays domestic & representative basketball for Collingwood basketball club. I am embarrassed by the poor quality courts that our club has compared to other clubs. There is no excuse. Our kids are getting fatter, unhealthier and more sedentary, you
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 36 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments have an opportunity to do something positive to address this by increasing access
284. It is desperately needed. A common location that is the go to for team sports would be so much better than the ad hoc way the games are spread throughout the area. 285. If there are any cafeteria/food facilities attached to the venue, a healthy food policy should be in place-no fast food, deep fried food. Also, no vending machines. This would be in keeping with a healthy body message, which is so often not the case at sporting venues. 286. I know with Netball there is not enough courts for the teams & people wanting to play the sport, YMCA already manage NARC, carpark is there, cafe & l'm sure enough space for a new stadium, the same goes for John Cain Park 287. Darebin Council Leisure Services data indicates that Darebin residents prefer casual/informal participation in physical activity. While I agree that there is a need for a multi-sports stadium, this proposal must not preclude other members of the community engaging in physical activity. For example, elderly members of the community will not use a multi-sports stadium. A multi- sports stadium must not be built at the expense of public open space such as Mayer Park. 288. It is very important that the placement of this stadium does not negatively impact on sporting teams, fitness enthusiasts and recreational users of existing parks as it would if a stadium were developed in Mayer park. 289. Mayer park shouldn't be on the table. It is already well used and people would lose a valuable space 290. There is currently only one skate park in Darebin which is at the plaza and it is often very crowded. The kids in the area love skating and scootering and it keeps them outdoors and very active. 291. Putting it at Mayer Park would be a disaster -traffic implications for the streets surrounding are awful, loss of open green space would be incredibly detrimental to the area 292. The current tennis courts at the Northcote Aquatic Centre have no facilities e.g toilets. My daughter plays club tennis there on a Saturday & it is an indictment on Darebin council that we have to tell visiting clubs that they have to walk to the aquatic centre for toilets. It might not seem far but when the participants need to use the facilities between sets of tennis it causes delays. Clubs from other councils have very good clubhouses etc. If the new stadium was built near the tennis courts & the courts were upgraded I believe tennis participation would increase in Darebin thus increasing sports participation in Darebin 293. I think it’s necessary, as there isn't a large multi stadium in the area & as the population of children & also people in the area increase (due to multi story flats) something is desperately needed. 294. As a resident of the southern end of Darebin, our daughter has connected to the Collingwood All Stars basketball team as it is really the closest and one that many kids from this end of Darebin connect to. The lack of a nearby facility in Darebin limits her accessibility in this area. I'd also encourage some additional outdoor half courts for basketball to be added to larger parks throughout Darebin (such as Breavington Park in Hall St F airfield which desperately needs upgrading to have new play equipment for younger children and additional equipment for the ever growing older child population) so that kids can have ready access to exercise and outdoor entertainment options, keeping them off indoor screens. 295. It would be great to have a permanent roller derby track as there are currently no dedicated facilities 296. Building the proposed stadium at John Cain Memorial Park would create a great 'Sports Hub' in Darebin, encompassing the lawn bowls centre, velodrome, soccer and Australian Rules fields already present in this location. 297. Currently have very limited basketball options in south Darebin (only Thornbury HS) and have to travel to other areas for training and games. Would also bring more visitors into the area and stimulate local businesses. Also provide more options for clubs to increase participation by local people. 298. $13 million could better spent on other community initiatives that would benefit more of the population of Darebin. Public transport improvements, traffic flow improvements, community rooms in public libraries, community exercise initiatives, nutrition education programs, etc. 299. I am the Sport Coordinator at Northcote High School and I believe that a Multi sport stadium would dramatically boost the already starring profile of sport at Northcote High. The Northcote Community is growing and the percentage of students participating in organised sport is increasing every year. We have students playing Basketball in 5 different locations because there is no facility large enough to house growing clubs and associations. We also have opportunities to link with VVA to offer students in the surrounding community’s access to a world class Volleyball program. Locating the new centre at Northcote High School will be an all round win for the ever-growing school and community. 300. Open space is important and can be easy utilised by all. encouraging and maintaining this is a better option
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 37 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 301. I am seriously opposed to the sports stadium being in the proposed site of Mayer Park. This area, particularly in Leinster Gve is currently subject to extreme traffic conjestion already and the addition of such a sport complex would make this residential area extremely hard to navigate for local residents. In addition this green space forms part of the appeal of this area of Darebin and the reason why many people buy and move to this area at a premium. Green space is irreplaceable and unique, while a sports complex can be located in an already built up area elsewhere that won't be so negatively impacted by such a massive development. Darebin has a poor reputation for its planning sensitivity and prowess, this is an opportunity for the council to make an enlightened decision show its rate payers that it has learned from past mistakes. 302. Location - too busy to access if in Mayer Park. No parking in the area and traffic congestion is already significant in that area. Not safe for children to access as there is a number of large vehicles traveling at higher speeds around Normanby ave. 303. I would like to take this opportunity to enlarge on the way that Mayer park is currently used: Children fly kites there. Children fly their remote controlled toys there… Hot air balloons take off and land from there (and are very colourful and splendid to watch)… Many, many local residents walk their dogs there and meet and talk (free from the clashes between dog walkers and cyclists along the Merri Creek) Fitness groups exercise there, frequently. Children kick soccer and footy balls around with each other or their mums and dads. People frequently jog around the park. Occasionally, jugglers practice there… And yes cricket and football clubs play there… This isn’t an exhaustive list. The point is that this is an open space and while it might be difficult to tolerate and to restrain the desire to ‘do something with it’ or cover it with concrete, I implore you to reconsider! Our psychological health requires that our environment is not entirely dense with urban development. Accessible un- determined green and open spaces are a common good vital to community creativity, social and psychological health. I have no objection to facilities for court sports per-se but I am passionately opposed to the loss of Mayer Park. I appreciate that this leaves you with the problem of where to place this facility and I recognize the competing interests of different community groups. However, the loss of Mayer Park only indicates an increasingly urban dystopia for people living in my neighbourhood. Please do not locate this stadium at Mayer Park 304. On behalf of Northcote Junior Football Club, tenants of McDonnell Park, I would like to raise the following concerns regarding a stadium at this proposed location: -Almost the entire open space is already well used and our 200+ members and their families would oppose any development which would reduce the open area available to users. Our club uses both grounds 3 nights per week during the football season, and we need access to both ovals for matches for our ten teams on Sunday mornings. -We already have a car parking problem when both grounds are in use at the same time, which is most Sundays between early April and late July. We would not want to see this exacerbated and nearby residents further inconvenienced. Thank you, Ann- Maree Duncan NJFC Secretary 305. I believe allowing the space to also serve as a theatre performance space, will allow not only a cultural boost in the community financially as well as awareness, but also serve as an alternative form of exercise & recreation. Regular shows as well as dance classes, will not only help revenue come in, but give people an outlet for their creative sides, while providing a physical component. 306. Please let this go ahead for Collingwood. Going between 3 different venues is extremely difficult. Our current facilities are always laughed at by other clubs who all have their own stadiums with excellent facilities. As the club expands we need this space and a place to call home. Not to mention that teams are playing extremely high levels of basketball and new facilities are needed just to be able to host games and spectators! 307. I am strongly opposed to the construction of the stadium at the McDonnell Park site. Parking is already inadequate and local streets become clogged and dangerous at the weekends. I also think that the stadium should be located away from the NARC, rather than co-located, so that there are more locations where people can take part in recreational activities. South Darebin is already well supplied with venues. Additionally, McDonnell Park is an important open space that is heavily used for outdoor activities, including organised sports and informal activities, walking, picnics, games etc. The housing density in this part of Northcote has increased significantly over the last decade, and McDonnell Park provides important open space where outdoor organised sports can take place. It is used in a very different way to All Nations Park, and needs to remain a community resource as it currently exists. I am also concerned that the proposal conflates participation in sport with exercise - if you take away McDonnell Park, you will decrease the opportunities for informal exercise. 308. It is a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money. I am appalled that the council is approving this and will certainly do my best to vote them out next election. 309. Why make a new stadium when you can just make Coburg basketball stadium bigger and better to provide for the people that play there and all the many people starting sports at Coburg 310. We have concerns Re: use of Mayer Park for the Stadium:- Loss of green space; Traffic congestion (already a problem); Loss of current recreational and sporting facilities. Observance of current council policy i.e. maintaining existing green spaces. Suggest use of ex. public housing and industrial sites i.e. Penola and Showers Sts.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 38 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 311. I think the stadium is a good idea, but unfortunately the questionnaire hasn't provided enough options for me to respond adequately to the location. You would need to take an entirely different approach to find out what would drive more sports participation - you need some qualitative research, liaison with stakeholders, and then you could run a survey would could be used to run a driver analysis (multiple linear regression) to determine what would influence people to increase their levels of exercise. But surely the council has conducted this sort of research first before spending $13 million on a stadium, and however much it's already spending on fitness centres at local parks? 312. A muti sports stadium is desperately needed in the south Darebin area. Most people go to other areas even airport west to play sports. 313. I would be devastated if roller derby was used as a serious driver for my council to spend my rates. Also the velodrome site makes great sense for this infrastructure, provided it does not limit the merri creek trail. I do not support Mayer Park as a site for this infrastructure as the impact on community amenity would be inappropriate. 314. McDonnell Park is not a viable option for a multi-sports stadium. It is surrounded by small streets and little available parking, and is already fully-utilized on weekends. McDonnell Park is also the only green area within walking distance, and the loss of McDonnell Park to a massive development would mean, again, that the Council is reducing dog-walking and child-friendly play areas. As it currently stands, McDonnell Park is used heavily by locals for kid’s sports, and informal family friendly gatherings, with animals. I propose that the Council expand the purpose and usage of John Cain memorial park, which is heavily underutilized with lots of available parking. Cain Memorial Park did not increase sports participation rates in Darebin, by Darebin residents. The sports development project being proposed will only truck in users from outside Northcote and/or Darebin. Do not bring more large school buses onto already congested Victoria Rd and Separation St. Do not increase traffic congestion and noise in our residential zone. Do not reduce the green areas within Northcote. I urge you to maximize the existing structures within Northcote without compromising on your residents' access to green areas, traffic ease and peace of mind. It would be preferable to have this development in Preston and further north, and push traffic out of already congested Thornbury and Northcote. 315. I live near Mayer park on Normanby Avenue and am sure that it couldn't cope with the additional traffic requirements of a new sporting centre. It is already gridlocked on this stretch daily. Increasing traffic at sporting peak times would be a nightmare! 316. Definitely need more accessible sports facilities in south of Darebin. Co-locating at Northcote High would benefit the school and the community 317. In the Penola/Showers St Preston area vacant public housing land exists. What attempts have been made with the state government to acquire some land for the stadium? There should be no loss of existing park land with existing sporting and recreational facilities. 318. I am shocked to hear that Mayer Park is being considered. We have just purchased a house in Leinster Grove and one of the big draw cards is this park. Our 3 yo son loves to play soccer here. It is also a safe place for a woman to walk alone. It is not safe for us to walk by the creek and even parks like All Nations are very secluded. I feel safe waking around Mayer Park because there is much activity around the area. Further, the area is already very congested with traffic. A new stadium would only bring more traffic. It is unrealistic to expect that people will use public transport to get to this park. It is used by locals to exercise, where else can we go? I suggest the council look for unused land or industrial land to develop such a significant structure. Please do not take our park. 319. Darebin lacks both Basketball club/facilities and same for netball. All children interested in basketball must play at Collingwood (City of Yarra) or Ivanhoe (Banyule). This is ridiculous, majority of Collingwood basketball players come from Northcote/Thornbury/Preston. Long overdue and needs to be prioritized - please get this happening. 320. A stadium like this would be elitist, and would cater mainly for higher end organised sport - at the cost of community space. Would community members be able to access the space to exercise, or would it be for shipping in sports teams from other areas to make money from them renting the space? Henderson Park in Thornbury is sitting there idle, is not used, is locked up to the community and is right next to a train station. Why is this site not under consideration? 321. Roller Derby is the next big sport accommodating women, men, juniors and a massive community for the GLBTIQP groups. Attractive to people of all ages and builds. A community like no other. Darebin is home to both the #1 Women’s and Men’s teams in Aust/NZ and the #3 Women’s team in the world. It'd be fantastic to see a proper facility for this exponentially growing sport. 322. Personally I'm very active without being involved with team sport & currently enjoy Mayer with dozens of others. The open space, that allows for dog walking, cricket, soccer and general exercise for everyone. I bought nearby, 2 years ago specifically for the open space and inherent tranquility. I would be strongly against such a development as it would put a huge strain on surrounding streets and ruin the peaceful atmosphere, the site & neighbourhood currently enjoys. A simple soccer match there, already sees parking problems and increased road & traffic hazards for kids and families nearby. This beautiful pocket would be destroyed by such a major development. Please consider McDonald park as it has better & multiple accesses and already has established sporting credentials. Another possibility I would have thought more viable, for the same access reasons, would be John Cain Memorial Park. With an existing sporting culture! 323. Please do not build on Mayer Park - we need as much open green space as possible , plus my son will be playing soccer there
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 39 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 324. As residents of Lewis Street, Thornbury, we very much oppose the suggestion that the proposed stadium has been earmarked for Mayer Park. We are very concerned about this proposal as it would lead to significant loss of green space, and ruin the peace and tranquility of this quiet suburban pocket. While parking provisions have been included in the stadium plans, the development would lead to significant traffic problems during peak hour / after school hours and weekends along Normanby Ave, Leinster Grove and surrounds, where traffic is already a major problem. Normanby Ave is already a dangerous road, made more dangerous by the angst of drivers caught in traffic back-logs during peak hour etc. We are very concerned about increasing traffic along this road leading to drivers cutting through narrow backstreets like Lewis (which does not have a nature strip) and compromising the safety of children in particular. One of the attractive factors that led to us recently purchasing our home in Lewis Street was the opportunity to take our young children to Mayer Park to kick a ball around and enjoy the open space, quiet and tranquility. Please, please don't ruin our neighbourhood with this development. We love it here as it is. Rebecca & Nic Stoel 325. The majority or people in any municipality are uneducated and stupid. Their social and psychological programming comes from commercial television. They are programmed for a sedentary life style. A sports stadium won’t do any good to the majority of these people, they are mentally week and have no will power to get off their arse. Period. 326. Mayer Park already encourages and increases participation of Darebin residents in physical in its current form with multiple soccer and football teams training and playing there. It would be a shame to reduce participation levels in these sports by removing sports grounds. 327. I think the proposed site of Mayer Park is not close enough to public transport and would cause an increase in traffic on an already narrow road. 328. The Council should be looking at locating the stadium on a current industrial or brownfield site, NOT on current parkland. Why deny residents who currently use parks and other green space for incidental exercise and other recreation the opportunity to service another portion of the community, especially since building it on open space is in contravention to the Council's Open Space Policy. Everyone in the community could be serviced, if the Council looked at other options. 329. Team sports are incredibly important in children's lives both for the physical and social benefits they provides. Quality facilities help both encourage and promote participation. 330. By all means build a stadium but don't sacrifice green space to do so. 250 car parks - Darebin doesn't need more concrete! Mayer Park, one of the proposed sites, should not be lost! It is used regularly by sporting groups, young families and people with their dogs. The increased traffic congestion along Normanby Rd and Leinster Gve. Would be unbearable and dangerous. Council has only recently spent money putting in an exercise station and club rooms were recently updated. Green spaces are a priority on council's manifesto, aren't they? In ten years time we won't be able to buy back parkland when we finally wake up to the fact that we are living in a concrete landscape. Inner Melbourne Darebin cannot afford to lose more green space. A resounding NO to a stadium on Mayer Park! 331. I think reducing park space would negatively impact on resident's access to areas that allow for exercise and play in free space (such as walking dogs, playing with kids, going for walks or jogs). So it would probably be better to keep the park space and build a stadium on land that is already developed. 332. This is the worst survey I have ever seen. Did you even think about what you wanted to find out or is it all motherhood statements. The facility should be built on renewed industrial land, not current parks. Do not put it at Mayer Park. 333. The Collingwood basketball club grows every year and does not have its own stadium unlike every team it competes with. It will eventually be unable to hire enough courts to satisfy demand which would be a shame given how basketball is a great way to keep children fit and engaged with a wide range of community members. 334. Please note that in the mid-2000s, a move by Northcote High School to build a carpark outside its 'footprint' on Merri Park was fiercely resisted by the community and by sports teams who already train and play there. Passive recreation such as walking the dog, bird watching and observing nature are incredibly valuable to public health. There is academic literature that supports the casual link between open space and public health. 335. I object to the idea of a sports stadium being built in Mayer Park in Thornbury. Mayer Park is the only park area available to residents - especially dogwalkers - in the area bounded by Normamby Ave, St Georges Rd, Arthurton Road and Northcote Golf Course. With the number of apartments and townhouses currently being built in this area - hundreds just in Gadd Street - we need more open parkland in this area, not less? The park is used daily by walkers - both with and without their dogs, kids playing ball games, soccer and cricket games. It would be terrible if this area of open space were to be taken up by a sports stadium, and a parking area. 336. There are not enough facilities for girls sport in Darebin. I coach a junior netball team and our club, (Heights Netball l) has really serious issues finding enough court time to train the girls. This results in us having to restrict player numbers and have less than perfect training times. 337. The sedentary lifestyle of Darebin reflects the demographics. Residents want what little park land and open space remains, not further development. 338. With the current trend towards higher density living in the inner suburbs it is extremely important to provide more sporting facilities so that the residents have somewhere to exercise and feel a sense of community.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 40 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 339. I live in Normanby Ave, where there is a lot of effort going in to 'saving Mayer Park'. I think this development would be brilliant at the end of our street (esp if indoor soccer and cricket are possible!). My greatest concern is that we often can't park already on Normanby Ave so wonder about parking permits etc. there are also some lovely established trees that it would be ideal to build around. Maintaining some open parkland is important to me - for kids and dogs - esp given the number of apartments and town houses in the area. I'm interested in being a resident rep on any meetings etc if you go ahead in this location. Kath 0410762523. 340. The stadium should not be built at Mayer Park. A soccer club that has men's, women's and junior teams is located there, and is expanding to include even more junior programs and teams. Personal training, dog walking, cricket and more occurs on this park, and if it were to go, hundreds would be affected. Darebin International Sports Centre could be expanded, and Northcote High considered. There are Futsal and netball facilities close by already, and many other facilities within riding and driving distance, or accessible via public transport. 341. There is a large need for an indoor basketball stadium in the Northcote/ Collingwood areas. Currently many Northcote families are part of the Collingwood Basketball club, however the club does not have sufficient facilities nor a club home. 342. People that want to exercise find a way to do it in various ways with differing facilities. I prefer parks to walk around on in the great outdoors. 343. Do we really need it? And will people currently using other sites change or move from their regular venue? Is the goal to attract new clubs, if so, where from? 344. Please build it near public transport and with bike parking so people don't have to drive to it if they don't want to. Thank you. 345. My children currently participate in Netball and Basketball. There is a distinct lack of basketball and netball facilities in area south of Murray Road, and east of High Street. I support development of facilities in this area in preference to the other identified areas. 346. Please try to maximise its environmental efficiency, and also try to make it an attractive facility so we can also enjoy looking at it as we pass by!! Please also make it welcoming to the less sporty in the community - too aggressively sporty might alienate some people. 347. There are already numerous sporting clubs involved in cricket, soccer and football using these facilities not to mention the local community which use the grounds as a way to spend time with their families and friends getting exercise for free. To build over Mayer Park would cause more harm than good as the proposed facilities would only cater to those willing to spend money to gain exercise. If the grounds were to be upgraded and remain accessible to the general public than an increase in participation will be more than achievable. As the current grounds have poor drainage and lighting that would be the first issue to address. The space is large enough to create two state of the art grounds. One ground for those participating in soccer and another for those participating in football/cricket. I believe there might also be room to add netball/basketball courts which could 348. There is a severe shortage of indoor courts in the region - Closure of Bellfield schools & Preston Girls has further stretched resources. However, largest rates contribution come from southern region of Darebin, therefore council have a responsibility to add resources in this region 349. This report has totally disregarded brown field sites. This kind of planning is both shortsighted and unsustainable. In ten years there will be nothing but concrete and car parks because our representatives in local council took the cheap and easy options. Why are the local residents considered a threat rather than a body that have legitimate concerns? Council should be developing more green space not less to accommodate the high density development going on in Thornbury and Northcote. 350. Hand off McDonnell Park. Victoria Road is busy enough without any further traffic increases reducing our livability and safety. 351. The Mayer Park location is underdeveloped and needs investment, but this proposal is ultimately destructive to the core utility of the park to the local community. A development similar to that of Reaburn Reserve in Brunswick (cnr Pearson and Victoria St, Brunswick) would be far more appropriate for Mayer Park, with fencing, pathways, shelter, trees, bbq facilities, as well as netball and tennis courts. 352. Yes. Mayer Park is already a multi use recreation, sport park. Includes soccer, cricket, aerobics, walking and open space for children to play and for people to walk their dogs. It should not be used for development of an overpriced stadium. Rather think of ways to improve current facilities and open up more space. The Golf course is the largest most under utilized piece of land in Darebin. 353. Very important project that must be done, great way to encourage kids to start playing sport in their younger years which will hopefully continue into adulthood resulting in a healthier, happier, more connected community 354. Collingwood all stars has the Same court as 30 years ago when I played in one of about 4 original teams. My son is now in a club with 100 teams. U can't keep building apartments and not think about amenities of an increased community. It's bloody ridiculous. Build 5 courts on the current Collingwood site. Get with the times lift your game. Regards Duane Thomson 355. As a frequent user of the Northcote Golf Club I would not be in favour of any proposal that would negatively impact the golf course.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 41 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 356. I would hope it is friendly and accessible to older people and I want the badminton set done properly as it is not always catered for in the best way possible. So consult with some experienced players. I would also like to ensure women (and girls) get catered to adequately as most sports facilities are skewed towards men and they get the lions share of sports and sports facility funding - quite unfairly. I am sick to death of men dominating and profiting in sport e.g. AFL, cricket, soccer, etc. 357. McDonnell Park and John Cain Memorial Park would be appropriate given existing sporting development on those sites. Please don't develop Mayer Park - it is a beautiful open space and development would be a loss to the whole community! 358. It is vital Council do not take green, open space that is truly accessible to all for exercise and turn it into buildings and carparks for the use of a few people. Under no circumstances should park land be used for this stadium. 359. I have 3 teenage children, that are very active, involved with soccer, basketball and a gym junkie. I believe it to be a great idea and it may or may not get more kids involved with sport, as they tend to find the sport to play, if they want to, no matter where they are. But the one thing I would hate to see go, is any green or open grass, public land. The sort currently used for general outdoor activities. That is unless the site & general surrounds chosen can genuinely cope with such a complex? 360. The focus should be on providing a facility for netball. There are very few courts in Darebin which limits participation for girls in sport. The city of Darebin had the opportunity to put in a court near Pitcher Park but because of one small tree - which could be transplanted - the court is small in size with only one goal ring. Yet there is an oval for footy and 3 cricket nets. The court also has a basketball practice ring to one side - which could have been put elsewhere. Very disappointing given the recent upgrade to the playground area. A stadium should be top priority, but C of D should also look at existing facilities and support some upgrades and implement changes where feasible. What about a few more practice rings in small local parks? For example, Breavington Park in Fairfield. 361. Be thorough in your planning - what site is your preference, it feels like you're holding back on something. 362. I think the Mayer Park location has advantage of wide range of accessible public transport. I would strongly support use of underutilised land currently occupied by the golf course. I am concerned about displacement of current sporting groups that utilise the park as well as dog off lead park which we primarily use it for at present-especially as there is little provision for dog off lead areas nearby and Croxton school is no longer available. 363. Roller derby is the fastest growing women's sport in the world. However, local leagues are struggling with the costs associated with renting practice and bout space. The Victorian Roller Derby League features the #3 ranked team in the world, and the skaters in this league provide the highest quality coaching and gameplay available in Australia. The league currently trains and bouts within the city of Darebin, and would love to continue to do so, but they need support to make this sustainable. A multi- sport stadium that included a space suitable and available for roller derby training and bouting would be a huge help for this sport. I am a resident of Darebin as well, and I would strongly support the involvement of the Victorian Roller Derby League in consultation and planning for a multi-sport stadium that accommodates and promotes roller derby. 364. Darebin clearly needs this facility and our family supports it at Mayer Park. Our house is in sight of Mayer Park and it is massively under-utilised - the east oval closest to Leinster Grove is well used at times but the oval closest to the golf course is rarely used for organised sport and is basically for a few dog walkers and passive use. Hot air balloons take off/land a handful of times a year - so what?! I can't believe some opponents have cited occasional ballooning as an excuse to stop provision of much needed community sport facilities. This facility would obviously be used by thousands of local families - don't be swayed by a noisy few. Congratulations on even proposing it and please make sure it is built, preferably at Mayer but just build it. 365. Mayer Park is quite large and overlooks a golf course and Merri Creek. It is close to public tyransport and easily accessible. It would therefore lend itself to a well-planned housing development in conjunction with a large sports stadium. 366. Roller Derby is huge in our community, empowers women, particularly women who are generally not as accepted In other sports, provides opportunity for men and youth now, and gives the broader community access to a really exciting, developing sport. Roller Derby is one of the fastest growing sports disciplines in the world. Northside Rollers and VRDL are both exceptional leagues within the Darebin Community and give back so much, it'd be great to see a place dedicated for them. 367. Mayer Park is highly valued as open space for nearby residents. Mayer Park provides a much needed place for walking, playing, kicking the footy with the kids, taking dogs for a walk, sitting on the grass on summer evenings etc. This type of recreation is as valuable as netball and badminton. The stadium must not deny residents passive recreation opportunities and the pleasures of open space. Save Mayer Park!
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 42 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 368. I wish to raise an objection to the proposed development plan for Mayer Park. Firstly, as a resident, I was disappointed to find out about this plan from other concerned residents. A plan of this magnitude should have been letter dropped to all houses within at least a 3 km radius. The plan to turn Mayer park into a major sporting complex, is not in keeping with the local residential usage of the surrounds. Despite being on a main road, the park is surrounded by houses and locals who live in the area for its residential appeal, its proximity to open spaces and it's generally quite ambience. By allowing such a large scale development to occur, the entire area would change. The increase in traffic, noise, light (if operated at night) and the loss of a major clear open area, would be a major detriment to the area. The park is currently used by many disparate groups, including organised sporting clubs, runners, pet owners, golfers, kite flyers and model aircraft enthusiasts. The fact that the park is so open and clear, makes it a perfect location for any community member to enjoy in their own way. Traffic in the local area is already high enough, and creating an area where traffic would increase exponentially would have a large impact on the quality 369. There is a real shortage of indoor venues for girls’ sports in Darebin. There are lots of council sponsored ovals which mainly cater for boy's football and cricket and hardly any facilities for girls’ sports. My daughter plays netball and due to the shortage of courts there are up to 30 girls on court at any one time - this is ridiculous. It is vital for more netball courts immediately! 370. Futsal is another sport where female participation in sport can be increased, and can be played on similar courts to netball. 371. Hands off McDonnell Park, we have enough gyms & sporting facilities in this area already. It is also a residential area which is already coping with increased traffic & parking issues.ie getting parking tickets in front of ones house of residence. 372. I think it's a really great idea. I've been looking for somewhere to play netball in the local area, but haven't been able to find anywhere nearby, which I found quite surprising. I'm not exactly sure where it should go. I run past the soccer fields and bowls club at John Cain Memorial Park, and I would be more than happy to go there to play netball as I live nearby, but understand that there may not be room for the facilities there due to the pre-existing ones already occupying the space. I'm also happy to commute a short way, so anywhere in the Darebin area would be pretty great! :) 373. Not Mayer Park. This is the park that I walk my dogs and exercise daily as does many other people in the local area and beyond. Also, streets nearby will become a car park for stadium users. 374. Mayer Park is not a viable option for this idea. The impact on those who use the ground would be large and it is quite disrespectful that tenant clubs at the ground for years have asked for upgrades only to be rejected. Now that this proposal has come along it is a bit of a slap in the face to the tenant clubs at the ground. 375. Consider scrapping stadium idea, waste of money and would be a tasteless addition to the park. Sport is best played outside, could easily fit four futsal/hockey/netball/basketball courts along one edge of Mayer park. These could be used by sport teams, for casual competitions, and local residents. Whilst, the existing clubs and teams would be largely unaffected. Sincerely, Fiacre, 18 376. We live in Darebin and are acutely aware of the lack of sporting stadiums. It is really difficult having to travel to travel so far to games for basketball and I am aware there is even more of an issue for netball. I think travel times are a real barrier to participation in team sport and this makes things harder for whole community. 377. I'm not sure how question 4 is valid or helps. Of course people will say yes. More important is the evidence which demonstrates the link between participation and creating environments (facilities, services, infrastructure) that encourage physical activity / health and Wellbeing outcomes. We have lived in Fairfield for 15 years and the poor investment in community infrastructure in the part of Darebin has been a constant frustration. More indoor and outdoor court facilities that service this 378. Please do NOT proceed with the preference for Mayer Park. It is not acceptable to create a new facility by robbing Darebin of small open green space that is very popular and used for a variety of sporting and recreational pursuits. It would be much better to augment existing facilities at the larger Cain Park. 379. There is definitely a major lack of basketball space in Darebin. Basketball is a very popular international sport that appeals to many migrant communities as well as Australian-born citizens, so it helps bring the community together. 380. We have been involved with Collingwood Basketball for 12 years and now also Netball. A new stadium in the area is vital given the growing numbers in both sports. In particular for basketball it would be great to have just one home ground that connects the sporting community. Community based sport is an excellent way for kids to get to know a wide range of children in their area, increasing their circle of friends from just school. This is a vital project. 381. The Darebin Stadium isn't the right idea to get people into sport. Mayer park should be left as it is. It is the only big park in Thornbury where dogs are welcome, and athletes/ joggers can train at. Building it there would be a mistake 382. Using a park is a complete contradiction to the councils own Open Space Policy. Furthermore, government studies have shown that the biggest increase in activity in Australians is passive exercise such as walking in local parks etc! An organized sports complex only addresses a small age bracket when the parks are used by young and old. 383. We desperately need one. All my kids do sport and I am sick of travelling to other council areas far away to participate 384. Do not use Mayer Park for this ridiculous idea. This park is used by the locals and is a green space with established trees. It has soccer, football, dog walkers, exercise classes, cricket and is well used. Do not destroy this.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 43 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 385. Roller Derby is a growing sport with growing needs. The league I am part of is currently ranked #3 in the world and the audience for it is growing - it would be fantastic to have a space to practice in, play games in and also hold bootcamps and clinics 386. I do not think that levels of participation in sports listed or recreation in general will increase with the building of this stadium as there is not a lack of facilities with Darebin. 387. My children are now 16 and 12, the 16 year old has played basketball for 8 years since he was 8, He has always played in tired old rundown courts scattered over the area. When he plays away games in the outer suburbs they have nice courts with decent canteens and great facilities. I think that we, inner city residents have been ripped off in terms of sporting facilities that will encourage our kids to keep fit and stay healthy. I would love the area to have a decent basketball stadium before my son and daughter leave home and give up on sport. 388. Please don't put it in Mayer Park! This is valuable open space beloved by the community and we would be gutted to see it bulldozed and lose people's access to outdoor sport and nature to create an indoor sport environment. 389. it means the end of our soccer club at Mayer park because it will be hard to promote the club to our mens/womens seniors and juniors& mini roos teams not knowing were our future lies on one training and playing ground 390. The proposed stadium should be kept as far away as possible from John Cain Memorial Park - deemed as a centre of excellence for three major sporting codes already 391. Sportspeople in the Darebin area are isolated, which forces lengthy travel times (1 hour minimum) just to find a court that isn't as slippery as an ice rink. The courts that are of a high quality (eg. MSAC, Boroondara, Dandenong) have top athletes (state/national level) from all over Melbourne commute and gather. A facility being built is not only for the Darebin community, but for Melbournians. 392. Netball courts are needed as soon as possible in 18 months our newly established club now has over 100 members looking for local facilities. They won't stay with it if challenges for court space are not overcome quickly 393. It is an important development for Darebin but should not take existing scarce parkland. Darebin and the Vic Labor Govt should be able to find/acquire land in the area for the purpose or put the development in an existing sporting construction, like John Cain, without taking existing parkland or sporting ovals. We support the existing Open Space Policy. 394. If soccer pitches are built, please ensure that the fencing surrounding the pitches is high enough because it is an inconvenience to retrieve the ball. Also, a synthetic surface is great due to low maintenance however the council should aim to match the quality of the "Clifton Park" facility on Victoria street which is a fantastic surface. 395. We have built a community soccer club that is based at Mayer park, we have worked so hard to develop and grow this family club. I am strongly against Mayer park being the location for this development. I am strongly against this development at Mayer park 396. I think it would be a good idea to have a new sports facility with a lot of low income families in the area. 397. It is vital that this development does not take away green space from existing green space. The proposed Mayer Park site has the advantage of potentially gaining some more green space from the adjoining Golf club. Research has shown that access to open green spaces and fresh air in a built up environment can improve our mental health. I strongly oppose the second proposed site of McDonnell reserve. Such a large scale development of courts, car parking, lighting would not only take away much valued existing parkland, it would impact on the space that remained. Our children play sport regularly at McDonnell Reserve both in teams and for running/exercise. A stadium of this magnitude would prevent many from undertaking exercise such as running, walking the dog etc as everyone including the team sports would be pushed onto one oval. I strongly oppose the removal of our much valued green open space. I strongly support a site that can be compensated in some way such as Mayer park and its potential to gain some parkland from its neighbouring golf club. Thank you. 398. Don't sacrifice parkland to build this. Your net gain in physical activity will be reduced if people lose space for team sports and informal recreation. 399. Great idea for the area but choosing the right location is key. Co located with John Cain park is useful. 400. I'm very concerned that the proposed space will sacrifice the very limited open-air sports spaces we have in the district. Spaces indoors might be good for organised sports leagues and those in teams but anyone not a part of such activity is effectively locked out of them. To sacrifice open-air space for more building does not make sense. Why not build this building in an already built up area. The parking requirements alone will be a massive strain on any residential park. 401. PLEASE don't build this stadium in Meyer Park, this is a heavily used community space. There is very little open space in this part of Northcote and so many people rely on this space for dog walking, cricket, soccer, personal training groups, socialising, kicking the footy with the kids, walking and just enjoying the open space in a high density area. The ward Councillor would be very unwise to support this location. 402. Meyer Park would be the best place for this. There is not the space or parking at McDonnell Park and it would be more intrusive for the neighbours there and displace more teams. The YMCA doesn't run the Aquatic Centre very well so I don't know about them running a larger facility 403. I would love to see council-run basketball courts added! I am always searching for a place to play, but it seems most of the courts are on school grounds.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 44 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 404. Why is it that the Darebin City Council constantly upgrades venues in Northcote, the venue on Dole Avenue is in need for an upgrade. 405. The only major indoor facility in Darebin is located in the north of the area at Reservoir High Schools and there is a great need for something to the south, especially with the number of apartments now being built in the south. 406. Significant demand because no multi court system in nearby municipalities. Falls back to single use courts that are in poor condition 407. We are currently members of Collingwood Allstars Basketball Club. There is presently no sports stadium in Yarra or Darebin that can cater for the huge demand. Basketball is one of the fastest growing grassroots sports for kids and young adults in Australia and a large indoor court facility is sorely needed in the inner north. 408. There is a shortage of facilities in these areas available, with massive growth in youth that want to participate. If we have the facilities available for use there will be a greater chance for all those that wish to participate in sport. 409. The city of Yarra has designed a multi purpose court in Carlton that will accommodate futsal basketball and bike polo. Something similar in Darebin would be well used 410. Hands off McDonnell Park. It's is a residential area, which already has enough use by the football clubs 411. We regularly travel outside the municipality to play and watch team sports because of a lack of local facilities so this proposal is extremely welcome. With the large number of families in the area this venue would be extremely well-patronised and would definitely contribute to a growth in participation in sports by locals - even the ability to practice sports after hours on outside courts would be highly useful. We would be very keen for it to be as "green" as possible with solar power, good landscaping to provide shade etc. A great initiative by council. 412. Existing sports grounds, such as Mayer park, should not be replaced, as it's hard enough for teams to have grounds to play on. It’s also very popular for dogs, kids playing and people exercising. 413. Roller derby is one of the world's fastest growing sports and Darebin have always been supportive of the development as leagues expand. It would be amazing to have higher engagement in sports with a new stadium. 414. We as a small bike polo club struggle to increase number of participants dues to lack of places to regularly play. On top of that councils don't really take us seriously and tends to end in our club just being kicked of netball, basketball, and tennis courts. Also the city needs more FREE courts, not more that you must pay for. That will get more people active, not providing the best courts, but providing the free-est most accessible ones. Wes 415. We think gymnastics would be a great addition. Our independent research shows that a gymnastics facility can get more people through per square meter per annum than other indoor activities and financially has a better return on investment to local government. Gymnastics is also a predominantly women’s sport and is suitable for people with disabilities. 416. I think we need to utilise existing stadiums or improve school facilities rather than pay so much money to build a new one. I also think that taking away an outdoor space such as Myer park that is frequently used by a large number of people to walk their dogs, play soccer, kick the football, will negatively impact this community 417. I think the industrial estate in Christmas St, Fairfield (near Darebin Rd) would be a good place for the stadium. It is a fantastic opportunity for the council to provide a much-needed world-class facility to its residents. As a Darebin resident I would love to see such an initiative. 418. Using existing parkland to then concrete over it for "sporting activities" is ludicrous! Parkland in Darebin is extremely well utilised by the public. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF WHAT LITTLE OPEN SPACE IS LEFT IN DAREBIN thank you 419. There appear to be plenty of facilities for sport in the area, can't see that this is a) a necessary use of resources or b) something that is of overwhelming benefit to the community. 420. It is a fantastic initiative, however the location poses an issue. Provided that the development will see an improvement to the very poor quality of the soccer playing surface, I would not oppose the development. However, as it would require an entire sporting club to relocate, it might be more feasible to develop it in another location. Merri Park, next to Northcote High School, would be the ideal scenario. 421. Whilst this stadium may be required in the city of Darebin it should not be at the expense of public open green spaces such as Mayer Park which is vitally important for the community. I have lived in Darebin for over 20 years and have raised my family here - we have used park over the years and still use it today. It must be preserved for future generations as it is improves the physical and mental health of residents. 422. Losing our parklands in Darebin is not a foreword move for the future of our children. We need the park space and tree areas. This is the lungs of the city. Instead we need to find derelict concreted areas. What about a redevelopment of Preston market and multi story car park and stadium there? 423. Don't destroy Mayer Park. Don't put buildings on beautiful open spaces where outdoor games can be played, family picnics and dog walking 424. We need a basketball stadium for the large and growing community of young amateur players involved with Collingwood All Stars Club 425. All Nations is close to public transport/open park and car parking available as well as shops and cafes at the Northcote Plaza.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 45 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 426. Open space is at a premium in the city of Darebin. In light of the increased approval of high rise apartment buildings Darebin is losing open space if approval of this sports development proceeds. The proposed land for the stadium will cause huge parking problems for local residents. Cain Park has existing car parking and sports facilities and also is serviced by public transport. 427. The Collingwood Allstars basketball club is growing exponentially and it's estimated the club will need access to six more courts in the next five years. The club has become instrumental in providing a way into Australian society for hundreds of new Australians living in the Collingwood flats, next to Collingwood College where the club has already outgrown its original home. 428. Incorporate it into the golf centre to consolidate infrastructure and parking. The park currently provides relief to the industrial and residential sprawl and is much needed for increased population. If the centre is indoors use the industrial precinct as a site. Quality Open space is rare in Darebin and needs to be preserved. How will loss of open space be gained in the area? Informal leisure such as walking and cycling is more conducive to healthy lifestyle not a couple of hours of netball a week. 429. I sincerely hope that the venue can be used for other purposes, not just for sport. The ability to use it for other community groups such as arts or crafts group would be very useful. To be able to use it as a theatre or performance venue (I am part of an arts organisation called Amateur Repertory Incorporation) would be very useful for us. 430. Very surprised when I moved into the area over 12 years ago no stadium/facility exists for children/adult leisure & competition. Funds must be allocated for project. 431. Careful consideration of site should include the massive development in Darebin which requires outdoor spaces as more young families move into apartment style housing without backyards. 432. I do not want to see any loss of open land. There are several underutilsed industrial sites that should be re- zoned for this purpose. 433. With 3 boys, sport is a very important part of our lives. Having facilities closer to home means less travel time and more activity time! 434. There seems to be many parks for soccer, football and cricket. We need safe, well maintained, competition standard netball courts in the Fairfield, Alphington, Northcote, Thornbury area. 435. Be mindful of parking and its impact on the neighbourhood, considering the residents quality of life. Sports facilities increase parking, noise, litter. 436. We are in desperate need of netball facilities. We have the kids who want to play but Parkside Netball Club has no real facilities. Keep girls and women in sport! 437. We need to make it easy to participate in team sports. The more kids that can join in the better. 438. I think McDonnell Park (Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre) is the best site because; • it is central to southern Darebin (10 minute walk from Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre); • it is served by 5 different bus routes which stop either at the site or within 5 minute walk of it: 1. City to La Trobe University - the 250 which stops en route at the site itself, running from the Melbourne CBD (stopping at Melbourne Central train station), through Carlton, Carlton North, Brunswick East, Fitzroy North (stopping at Rushall train station), Clifton Hill (stopping at Clifton Hill/Queens Parade Interchange connecting with tram route 439. The stadium you are talking about building will kill off two teams which currently use Mayer Park to compete in state league sporting competitions. Darebin Soccer Club currently has five soccer teams and a mini Roos programs supporting over 100 active members. By building this facility those clubs and members will no longer exist. 440. This is an excellent initiative to bring the community together regardless of heritage or beliefs and have a healthy way forward. 441. Question 4 is a leading question. That's called push polling. It would be very disappointing to see responses to this question relied upon in any public forum. If you have to use green land to build the site, and can't possibly find a brownfield site, use the area behind the pool. You can get management efficiencies out of using pool admin, there's already parking, and you'll anger a lot fewer people. 442. Would love the addition of tennis and futsal (indoor soccer) to the proposal. Should the opportunity exist also swimming facilities would be useful in the area. I think Mayer park is an ideal location as it is currently underutilised. It is in a central location, and has easy access to public transport. 443. If the goal is to reduce the number of people classified as sedentary or having low levels of exercise, this money would be better spent on improving infrastructure for active transport (cycling, walking and public transport). Reducing Darebin's reliance on cars will also make the area more livable and will reduce air pollution. Alternatively, if you feel that you MUST build this stadium, why not build it on part of the Northcote Golf Course instead? It is a disgrace that so much public land is devoted to a single sport that is predominantly played by white middle-class men. The land would be better used for public parklands rather than just for those who can afford it. 444. Great idea. We've recently moved to Darebin, and were surprised about lack of netball / basketball facilities South of Bell. 445. Basketball courts are urgently needed to assist the inner north club at Collingwood accommodate all the teams playing. Keeping my teenage daughters involved in sport is a big priority for me - all the research indicates better physical and mental health outcomes for those who keep on with team sports. A new stadium/sports complex in Darebin will help us achieve that for our family. 446. Would be great to see new sporting facilities or upgrades to existing facilities in the dare in area. The community is crying out for better facilities!!
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 46 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 447. It is essential that an indoor sporting facility is built in the southern part of the City of Darebin. Building in conjunction with Northcote High (dept of Education) makes sense. It would be a partnership that could share resources and land and also maximise the use of the facility. 448. We are currently driving all over Melbourne for basketball and it will be worse if our daughter starts playing either basketball or netball. It would be fantastic to have more facilities on this side if the city and to have additional training venues as the training times and venues are very problematic. Long travel times and difficult scheduling training due to a lack of venues out people off playing. 449. Hello, I am a long time resident of Northcote and frequent McDonnell Park and the NARC. It is incomprehensible to me why we not only would need another sports stadium but also the fact that it is proposed to be built in one of the very few green areas left in Darebin. We already have a white elephant that is the Darebin International Sports stadium that is underutilised. Why not upgrade that facility and encourage use of it? The traffic situation between Darebin road to Westgarth street has been steadily getting worse over the last few years – in part due to the contribution of multi storey dwellings at the former ten pin bowling site. Entering and exiting the NARC/McDonnell park is already very precarious especially at peak times and parking along Victoria road is already a nightmare – especially in summer and peak times. Adding to this traffic will make it dangerous. 450. This survey presumes that the facility must go somewhere. I think too much money goes towards organised sports. There are many other types of exercise that are good for us eg dancing, casual games with friends, not part of competitions. The proposed facility will take over a pleasant open space good for just running around in. 451. Team sports are a fantastic opportunity for kids to make new friends, learn or develop a skill, understand how teams function as a team and create opportunities for community connectedness. This enhances health and well-being. 452. Is building a stadium at the expense of currently high level use open space really a great way to increase people's level of exercise? The City of Greater Bendigo's Active Living Census clearly identified the high levels of unstructured exercise undertaken and preferred within that municipality. Why can't Darebin undertake a similar census to get a clearer understanding of people's needs and wants with regards to exercise, which would then be able to better inform any future infrastructure planning with regards to exercise. 453. Need to consider parking and transport - given that many of the people using these stadiums are children and teenagers, there should be adequate parking and or drop off and pick up zones. Being close to safe bike paths as well as PT is also important. 454. The Merri Park seems to be an excellent option with plenty of space, adjacent to the Northcote High School which would definitely benefit from the sports complex and public transport. The Mayer Park further north for my neighbours and myself IS NOT AN OPTION as the complex would destroy vital green space. Nearly every day and night of the week various teams of cricketers, soccer players and footy use the park, all years round. So much green space is more and more scarce in the inner city. We MUST protect it. If the complex is built, the amount of heat and rough surfaces coming from that area would not be any pleasant in summer. Just dry hot desert like concrete. So me and my family TOTALLY oppose the selection of the Mayer Park as an option. I've heard that the Northcote Highschool is very interested in the Merri Park as an option for obvious reasons, this could be a win-win. Regards. Andres 455. Hands off McDonnell Park! It is a very popular dog park but still coincides well with football and cricket events. The area is already becoming over congested with the recent apartment building developments, so this open park space is very necessary in the area. All Nations Park has the space and the parking area. 456. My daughter plays for Heights Netball. Recently we had to move from training at Preston Girls School when that facility was sold. It took weeks to find another venue and we now train very late on a Friday evening as there is no other time or place available. I hear it's the same for basketball teams in the Darebin area with very few, if any, venues for practice or training. Kids travel across town to MSAC on the school holidays for practice. 457. I know the site I suggested was in Yarra, but I am serious about considering some of the areas that developers look at for residential growth (e.g. the Jika Jika site) 458. I don't think we should be excising park lands for the stadium. The stadium is timely and well overdue and I'm looking forward to the stadium. 459. Residents and parking must also be considered. I've lived in the area for 42 years. The area has always been a green belt, full of wild life and the environment it must remain. 460. I am very excited about having a facility like this in our community. Well done Darebin! I played netball for many years in an NZ stadium with a large rock climbing wall positioned above the sports courts and found it created not only a community focus for court sports, but a true hub of the community for families and people with different sporting interests. Not something I would have normally put together, but it worked very well! They have recently rebuilt but retained the same features. http://www.stadiumsouth.co.nz/sports. 461. The building is already there. And I would like Darebin Council to realise that Northcote is not the only suburb of Darebin... You need to start building in Reservoir 462. The building should have a high level of sustainable design with roof designed for solar panels. It would be great if this building could be a zero net (oe even positive) energy building which is becoming common in
Europe. Would be great to show that leadership. http://www.gbpn.org/laboratory/positive-energy-buildings 463. There is a lack of netball courts in Darebin and my 11year old daughter was on a one year waiting list to join a netball skills development program. Desperately need more netball courts in Darebin.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 47 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 464. This survey if flawed. The leading sports for interest and participation are not listed only those that suit your proposed stadium. q2 assumes that a stadium is warranted. q4 relies on the opinions of people who are not experts 465. Would be great to have a facility for (traditionally) female sports. I have daughters, and keeping them healthy and active is important to me. 466. Please save our outdoor parks. We often go Mayer Park to fly kites, kick the footy or just have a run around. I'm sure there are other sites where perhaps there were factories etc that could be used for building a stadium. 467. This is a must do project. However, current information of a location near/next to Northcote Golf Club would be a disaster. Not only would precious parkland be destroyed, but the facility and neighbouring streets would be gridlocked constantly 468. Don’t put it at Mayer Park, there are better locations. Mayer Park needs to keep the open space for residents, current sports clubs facilities, off leash areas for dogs and recreational exercise users. 469. Don't get rid of our only local park to walk our fur babies. It’s not fair. It’s our community, we don't want a stadium. 470. There is terrible shortage of basketball courts in Darebin. This is an equal opportunity sport that should be supported with facilities for our kids 471. Currently there is no dedicated sports stadium south of Bell Street where clubs can have easy access, and call it home. Collingwood has 3 'home' stadiums all located in schools. Has we have rising obesity and sedentary behaviour in children and adults Darebin CC can assist the community to address this by providing a stadium. Please do. Many thanks 472. The study refers to McDonnell Park but does not indicate that the key constraint is that existing parking is insufficient at peak periods in summer and that the traffic management in the area and the car park is already bad. 473. This venue is needed in the area - anything that encourages participation in sport is a positive for any community. 474. Collingwood all stars have been campaigning for a new basketball stadium as there is a tremendous amount of participant across all ages and far too few facilities 475. Due to cultural diversity a stadium that caters for sports that are known and appeal to newly arrived refugees would help. ie basketball. -stadium would have a club that already has a very diverse membership and actively through a community development officer engages at risk youth to play sport. -basketball has for the inner north has one club but it has waiting lists due to limited court space. -stadium space offer all year weather sporting activities for children, which is vital in combatting health and social issues. 476. Leave Mayer Park as is! We need open spaces and it is extensively used now recreationally. Parking would also be a nightmare. It already is now without the impost of a Sports Stadium! 477. A multi-sport, indoor stadium with community facilities would be most welcome and highly utilised 478. Sports participation would not increase for sedentary people. They are more likely to be encouraged to go outdoors if there are nice parklands. A much less intimidating activity that is low impact and requires no sports skills. 479. I was alarmed that Mayer Park had been cited in two reports (the Outdoor Multi Court Feasibility Study and the Darebin Multi Sport Stadium Options Report) as the preferred location of the proposed Multi-Sports Stadium without due process or community consultation. While there had been a council letter drop advising that information sessions were being held, this advice contained no indication that certain locations had already been identified and were up for consideration. Subsequent letter drops from residents alerted me to the fact that Mayer Park was the prime candidate, among four existing green spaces being identified as options for the development of this project. I am vehemently opposed to any existing open space being acquired for the stadium. I am also concerned at the process used to formulate the reports mentioned above, in terms of: • the scope of the brief that the consultants were given, • the quality of the study they produced, and • the lack of community consultation. The published reports indicate an ignorance of Darebin’s open space policy in that all sites under consideration were limited to existing open spaces. No former industrial, brownsites or land other than council-owned land were even 480. If you are going to the significant expense of an indoor sports stadium, 3 netball/basketball courts is too small. It needs to be the size of at least 6 courts to be beneficial. You have highlighted the drastic shortage of indoor sports facility in the municipality. A 481. I currently play Volleyball at Reservoir High School on Plenty Road. When fitting out the proposed Stadium good lighting, ventilation and heating/cooling options are crucial. The ability to curtain-off courts is also advantageous for player safety. 482. The proposed stadium SHOULD NOT be built on the site of an existing outdoor park, or, in fact, any outdoor space currently being utilised by Darebin residents. Why reduce green space further for an INDOOR facility? 483. The proposed new complex is a must for this area but not at the expense of existing parkland. The Councils vision should consider existing industrial or similar type of land adjacent to existing outdoor sporting facilities/parks. Refer Ashburton Leisure Centre as an example. Indoor and outdoor facilities go hand in hand and are important for progression of children playing Futsal for example which leads to outdoor soccer. 484. No, but these kinds of facilities really contribute to wellbeing and social connection, particularly for young people.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 48 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 485. Don t want it in Mayer Park. The area is too congested now with multi level flats across the road and more proposed on the cnr of Leinster and Normanby Ave, and combined with sports team car traffic/parking this area is a disaster now. Maintenance of green open spaces has taken on an increased significance with the rapidly increasing population density with most flat/apartment dwellers having little or no outside space. These green areas are vital for health and wellbeing. We do not need more buildings and car park spaces for indoor sports that cater for a minority of the local population. 486. Please make one court multi purpose. We would like to play bike polo there. Goals should be removable. See Rathdowne St court build in Carlton. 487. Weight gain is primarily linked to choice of foods and/or high quantity of food intake. This is then linked to social issues within our society. Removal of the bowling alley impacted on the social interaction of individuals, i.e. young people in particular. The tennis courts at Northcote behind the pool have minimal money spent on them, however, a strong community of parents and a devoted tennis coach arrange tennis teams and play regularly as well as lessons. McDonnel Park would not be suitable given there is already a high unit development where the bowling alley site was. This is built right up to the footpath. My family and I have lived close to the bowling alley for 20 years and the suggestion that this development be built on McDonnel Park is distressing and upsetting in relation our direct environment. I am upset to hear about this suggestion and are aware that there is and has been underhanded activity in relation to builders paying off Council members to pass projects. I am pleading to both Mayor Steven Tsitas and Deputy Mayor Oliver Walsh to lead in a positive manner and be a good example to our youth in our suburb. 488. For my child, community sport is very important for his physical and social development. Collingwood Basketball club, in particular, provides an important opportunity for kids from lots of different backgrounds to play sport together, particularly by its program to engage kids living in housing commission accommodation. A new basketball stadium is essential for Collingwood basketball to continue to be effective in this regard. 489. The stadium should not be located at Mayer Park. I am a regular Mayer Park user, don't participate in team sports. Traffic is already very congested along Normanby Avenue and I would be strongly opposed if at this site. I enjoy the park land at Mayer Park and would not like to see major development here. I love the exercise equipment being put in the park. 490. Who wouldn't want a stadium for children's sports? Seriously? Do people want children to have healthy habits and to stay focused on positive activities rather than hanging on street corners and/or drinking and drugs. I am very proud to support a stadium for the future of tomorrow to use for sports 491. I support the idea of increasing facilities for organised sport, particularly those traditionally associated with women, but am concerned that all the proposed options result in a reduction in public open space. Informal recreation (dog walking and off-lead area, unstructured ball games, picnicking etc) are just as important as organised sport. In the case of Mayer Park, the area of most concern to me, it seems that a lot of the area currently used for informal recreation would be taken over. Council should consider land which is not currently open space, e.g. other council built facilities or former industrial land which would otherwise be redeveloped for housing. Increasing population density means that it is important that existing open space is not reduced. A related option could include opening up the Northcote Golf Course to informal public use, e.g. by time sharing. 492. Entry fees are a big issue. Presently the Olympic Leisure Centre in Heidelberg has more reasonable fees than existing Darebin Facilities. Further to this, free sporting facilities are rather limited in many areas of Darebin. Perhaps map based community input such as is being used with transport would be good for sport and recreation facilities, both for what is needed, and the condition and cost of existing facilities. Things like basketball and futsal half courts, cricket nets, skate ramps and the like could easily be built in smaller reserves. Full courts for tennis, futsal, basketball, netball, combined could be built in larger reserves. Sometimes school facilities provide many of these for public access outside school hours, but sometimes these are far between or oversubscribed. Also many of the increasing population of young unemployed could make use of more free 493. Living opposite Mayer Park I am horrified to think you suggest this is a good location. Surrounds are all residential, and the park is always busy with users including cricket and soccer clubs. John Cain is in a more industrial location and has far more scope for parking. As of now parking is a premium in and around Mayer Park and this will increase majorly if this development is considered for here. I will be opposing this very strongly, as many young families in surrounding streets utilise this facility. It is open to all activities presently not confined to one or two sports. if you want people to be more active take a more holistic approach Paul Theobald 494. We would love to have community space for other groups that aren't necessarily sporting orientated to have the opportunity to hire and use. 495. Basketball clubs do an amazing job of encouraging and supporting hundreds of children and adults in a sport that crosses many cultural divides, socio economic groups and unites the community. 496. Make the stadium the headquarters of a local club probably basketball similar to Boroondara Council with the Belmore Road Complex in North Balwyn. (It has a swimming pool too) 497. Sick of you guys wasting our money for your benefit. Pick a place where parking is not a problem instead of ruining people’s lives you pack of useless pricks. 498. I would definitely use a sports stadium. I have two daughters who would both be interested in playing a team sport. I would also like to play a team sport (basketball), and I would like to play badminton casually. My family watch and attend roller derby events.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 49 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 499. As a firm supporter (and author of previous submissions to Darebin Council in support of sporting facilities) of increasing physical activity levels in the community, I am pleased and proud to see the City of Darebin taking a proctive approach to this issue. As a basketball coach for kids with special needs, I see firsthand the difference sports make to their self-esteem, mental health and community-mindedness. Feeling you belong, which often comes from team sport participation, is a powerful emotion and essential to building happy, healthy, resilient communities. 500. Oppose any further development at McDonnell Park. This is great for football, cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis and all outdoor sports. Do not need an indoor stadium. Thornbury needs it more. 501. Mayer Park is one of the very few green spaces (seriously, look on Google Maps). It needs to be protected, not built over. 502. Some large state of the art min 2 to 3 court stadium is urgently needed - something which centralises club activities for Collingwood bball association and other netball, futsal, gymnasium badminton associations and clubs. The lack Of such a facility in the inner north, given high numbers of teams and kids participating from Darebin , is critical to the clubs' survival, community pride and public health for all age groups but particularly teenagers . 503. We need to get as proactive as possible to tackle the rising epidemic of obesity and associated health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We need more facilities to cope with the increasing population growth in the inner northern region of Melbourne. 504. Corner of Grange and Heidelberg Road since it's should not to reduce public space given sharp increase in new residential building. Need more not less public spaces for activities. 505. There is an absolute need for improved sporting facilities in the inner north. My children play basketball for Collingwood All Stars and the club struggles to find venues for the kids to train at. Depending on training location for the season, we travel across town to venues at Carlton, Royal Talbot, Thornbury High or Fitzroy High. The public schools would benefit from having access to decent sports facilities. Playing basketball in summer at Thornbury High in the gym risks heat exhaustion as it has no cooling or insulation. This can deter people from participating. 506. It's really important that you don't sacrifice outdoor playing fields or what's left of Darebin’s green spaces to build this. 507. This stadium should be built in the north of Darebin where the greatest need is. Those in the south of Darebin have the capacity to travel. 508. 1. John Cain Park is obvious position with sufficient space. 2. Space limited but there might be efficiencies of combining it with Northcote Pool somehow. The pool change rooms critically need renovation and generally all looking very tired 3. Space limited but would activate and increase utilisation of Northcote Park, Westgarth Street?? 509. President of the Ivanhoe basketball club. Arguing with Banyule for courts. If you build a six court stadium we will fill it' 510. There is a major lack of badminton courts in the inner north of Melbourne, so this is a fantastic initiative. The only two options I have been able to find after searching from Carlton to Bundoora are Melbourne Uni (heavily booked up, very hard to secure a court) and Latrobe Uni (often fully booked during semester, too far for most Darebin residents). There is an increasing number of students and other people from Asian backgrounds living in Darebin. Badminton is a very popular sport in Asian countries, so I think it would really meet a community need. Also, as our weather becomes more extreme, we are going to need more indoor spaces for recreation. Well done Council on getting this facility happening! 511. Keep all new sporting facilities at one dedicated location this makes it easier for multi sport families to organize transport and doesn't take away public park space for non sport users 512. Outside practice court areas to be available for public use too, not just indoor courts only available during official match or training times. 513. Don't ruin the local feel of Mayer Park. I see people walking around with their dogs. Personal trainers working their clients. Older folks doing their daily rounds. A car-park would be a waste of natural space and why does everything have to be indoors these days? John Cain has 2 buses going right by the park but Mayer only has the 510 and it isn't regular in the evenings. Let's face it most parents drive their kids to practice these days. John Cain just makes more sense!! 514. This stadium should be built with in the boundary of the Darebin Enterprise centre as it will also service the 3000 residents expected at the AMCOR development. At the moment the Darebin Enterprise centre {Old Northcote council depot} is dilapidated and housing many local businesses that should have moved to their own premises long ago it is currently run down and could be demolished and redeveloped as a Stadium it has the train station within 200mtrs is service by the bus that goes from the Station along Separation St dissecting the High St Tram line The Epping train and St Georges Road Tram. I should not have planning permit issues as it has always been used by Council for Civil Services and Commercial use. 515. Many friends who participate in team sports go out of Darebin to do so. A facility of our own would be great 516. There should not be a reduction in park space. Walking and jogging in parks are important - also casual games, playing. This recreation is not counted in surveys. I suggest use of non-park space. Amcor site in conjunction with City of Yarra would be ideal. Report and this survey are too reminiscent of 'Yes Minister'. 517. New facilities are very overdue. We are currently travelling to other council areas for facilities. 518. With all the high rise apartments going in along St George's road and High St it is more crucial than ever to
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 50 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments protect our open green spaces. 519. This stadium will take away a free open park from the community which will cause an increase in sedentary activity. 520. Expanding Northcote Aquatic Centre to being a multi-sport/multi-use space would be ideal incorporating the disused Tennis Courts. 521. Stop wasting ratepayer’s money. If people want to play the proposed sports then they can fund their own leisure. Alternatively reduce the exorbitant salaries paid to some senior council bureaucrats. 522. I and my kids are involved in Collingwood Allstars basketball club. I have seen them and a lot of other kids benefit from their involvement in basketball and the club. I have been particularly impressed with the club's ability to engage with, and encourage, a large number of kids from disadvantaged circumstances to get involved in the game. Basketball has become a central activity in their lives which has provided fun and encouraged great behaviours around discipline and supporting team mates. 523. My son plays basketball and the overcrowding at Collingwood is terrible. We should be funding new migrant kids to play basketball for free as it’s a great way for them to feel part of the community. I am desperate to play an adult game of basketball as a social sport but it's not available in Darebin. 524. I feel the best access for a stadium with parking facilities and public transport multiple bus routes would be John Cain Memorial Park. To see McDonnell park on the list was very disappointing, as there is already listed parking, and all the space is used by the local community daily for organised sport, after school family activities and most largely as a dog park. Along with the parking restrictions, public transport accessibility to McDonnell park is very limited. 525. Question 5 is a leading question and would be thrown out of any decent first year university stats course. It may as well say, "do you think activity will stop us being sedentary." ‘I think our local open spaces are excellent ways to help us be less sedentary. 526. City of Melbourne has recently built a multi-purpose court on Rathdowne St which facilitates the playing of bike polo. Ideally a bike polo court would be 40x20m in size, with a smooth but grippy hard surface and a 1.2m high wall surrounding the court, preferably made of ply with a smooth rounded corner on top. A court like this would also be good for many other sports such as futsal, basketball, tennis and netball, so long as the goals for each sport were removable. If there were two suitable courts at the facility then it would be the only place in Australia where top-level tournaments could easily be held. If you are interested in discussing this more I am the secretary of Melbourne Hardcourt Bike Polo Inc, and would love to talk to you. 527. I'm horrified that Mayer Park is currently top of the list of preferred sites. This open park is much loved as it is by local sporting teams, fitness groups, and dog owners. The nearest train station is a 20 minute walk, and Normanby ave is already under extreme traffic stress - Saturday mornings and weekday peak hours are already a significant problem. Noise is also likely to disturb the many residents in the area. 528. As a family we are very involved with basketball & currently travel to Collingwood to participate so we would love to see more facilities closer. 529. Re: Mayer Park I am against this site being used due to the impact of traffic and parking in the local area. Already Leinster Grove has chicanes to deter traffic bypassing St Georges Rd as the road does not have great capacity. When sports events of a relatively small to moderate scale utilise this park, the increase in parking and traffic causes congestion on Leinster grove and results in 1 lane to be shared in both directions at some points. Pausing for the oncoming traffic or giving a nod of 530. Great for Darebin, however we need facilities in Collingwood and Fitzroy. How are the children in the commission housing going to get down to Preston or bell street? We need the site on Alexander Parade - what happened to this????? 531. I think they should Build the Multi Sports Stadium at Mc Donnell Park and Aquatic Centre, it’s close to public Transport easy access and would bring the Community closer and Healthier 532. Strongly suggest economic evaluation (shared with residents) of a stadium in Darebin on state land or unused industrial land. I do not want Darebin to build over existing park land. Parks are a resource for the local community and a meeting place and precious resources for our community for the long term. 533. I'm a 12 year old girl in Darebin I would love it if you could include somewhere for futsal or gymnastics, and even though it won't be a roller rink I would like it if there was somewhere that you can rollerblade/skate at. 534. I have used the parks in Darebin to walk, run and exercise. I also have walked dogs there. I, and others who won't use the stadium, use the parks for exercise. I get by physical and mental health benefits from using the parks. If I lose McDonnell Park I would be devastated. And the people who use the stadium would need open parks to train in, to support their team sports. It would be discrimination against the aged, who are using the parks and not the stadium. The Council should abide by its Open Space policy. Why did the Council commission a report based on the assumption that the Stadium must be built on particular sites, including its irreplaceable parkland? As it stands, the current plans are seriously flawed. There is no need to take away land that provides some with the opportunity to exercise outdoors to build the Stadium. There are former industrial sites and State land that the Council could purchase.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 51 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 535. Thanks for proposing this. As a family we love our sport - my sons play Auskick and junior footy at McDonnell park and we also use the pool and tennis courts at the adjacent YMCA. Currently, we have to split up - mum takes daughter on half hour drive to netball while boys are at footy. Consolidating multiple sports in one location would mean greater family time and more participation. In addition, the space adjacent to the tennis courts and cricket nets at McDonnell Park is not utilised and the NCI factory which borders this (and Separation street) is up for sale or about to be put on the market. This could provide the extra land required to build the facility without encroaching on the green open space that already exists. 536. It would reduce traffic congestion as many parents drive their kids to further away places for sport and could be more local 537. I strongly believe that rather encroaching on ANY existing green space, suitable ex-industrial or brownfield sites should be identified and be considered for construction of multi-sports stadium in Darebin. 538. There are a range of other ways to increase the participation of people in sport in Darebin. What are the participation rates in Darebin, rather than just national rates? Mayer Park is not an option for the proposed multi purpose sports facility and should be rule out immediately. This survey is quite selective and not adequate as a consultation device in the form proposed for what council actually is proposing. Do your proper homework council and don't expect that the community will take this lying down - we will fight the selection of Mayer Park for this proposed facility and any other large park that is not suitable. You are not representing my views whatsoever!! 539. Integrate the stadium with the Northcote Golf Course. This is a huge chunk of land that is not used to its full potential. It would be great to see an innovative sustainable design that is really energy efficient and not just a big lumpy square box. 540. Shocking to see the Darebin Council’s proposal to build on Mayer Park. Instead of helping to promote the current sporting activities on the ground you are destroying it. Shame on this proposal and shame on the council for never listening to the community surrounding Mayer Park. 541. The Darebin Stadium should take into account the local community and fair access to open space. The community around Mayer Park have limited green space as opposed to the space adj to NHS. 542. It's too far to go for us during week nights. Prefer to stay closer to home. There are places near but they r rub down. 543. We need more female role models attending schools to encourage our local young woman to be active in sports 544. Roller derby is the fastest growing women's sport in the world. However, local leagues are struggling with the costs associated with renting practice and bout space. The Victorian Roller Derby League features the #3 ranked team in the world, and the skaters in this league provide the highest quality coaching and gameplay available in Australia. The league currently trains and bouts within the city of Darebin, and would love to continue to do so, but they need support to make this sustainable. A multi- sport stadium that included a space suitable and available for roller derby training and bouting would be a huge help for this sport. I would strongly support the involvement of the Victorian Roller Derby League in consultation and planning for a multi- sport stadium that accommodates and promotes roller derby. 545. As President of Fairfield Primary School Council, we have many, many requests to use our very limited resources (half BB court, outdoor netball courts (in poor condition). Demand for community resources far exceeds supply. 546. You need to improve existing sport facilities as well. Females are leaving sporting clubs because of lack of lighting on grounds. We feel unsafe. Also some outdoor grounds are not improved upon appropriately. Also, Darebin is a large area so not everyone will head to new site. Which means improving existing sites is very important. Otherwise more people will move local gyms. 547. This proposal imposed on the ratepayers nearby the site appears to lack foresight in the level of parking required in what is already a congested area of Darebin. Moreover, considering that the latest research suggests that just a vigorous walking and gardening where there is perspiration involved and associated increased heart rate can increase health and longevity, it begs the question as to whether the proposed facilities are necessary and satisfy the cost/benefit analysis to the ratepayers. Noticed the outdoor gym being built on the north/east corner of the site, which the residents have welcomed as a positive initiative. The Park is and has been utilized extensively by the residents of Darebin as is, including various sporting clubs. I'd encourage the council to reconsider this proposal as being superfluous to the needs of the ratepayers of Darebin. 548. I do not think that this stadium should be built at the expense of existing green spaces in Darebin. Build it over concrete rather than sacrificing our parks. Our community uses Mayer park every day for walking dogs, exercising, playing etc. In the future existing green spaces will become more precious and need to be preserved. 549. It is absolutely essential for this to happen in the coming years. I am in year 12 at Northcote High School, where the Gym facilities there are deplorable and are in desperate need for an upgrade to improve the participation in sport for students at Northcote High. Many students, including myself, have started high school with a super keen attitude for participating in sport, yet as the years progressed the participation drops off, a lot due to the terrible facilities. While I live closer to Northcote YMCA and would be easier for myself to access, there is a greater need for the new Gym at Northcote High School, where it can accommodate for the outer Darebin areas, with use of the St. Georges Road Tram, High Street tram and South Morang train line.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 52 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 550. I think the proposed stadium is a gross waste of money. At present there are broken footpaths across Darebin, as well as a multitude of other things that are necessary and will be used by residents of Darebin across the board. There are plenty of places for people to play sport, and it appears that sport is the only leisure activity the council is interested in supporting. The amount of funding directed towards sport is outrageous. When there is nothing left to fix in this community, then perhaps funds can be frittered away on people's whims. To spend $13 million on a venue for hobbies is simply crass. 551. I think it is long overdue for a sport stadium that accommodates the growing population of the area. Also we need to have easy access to sport facilities to encourage participation of children, to prevent obesity and in adults as well 552. Fundamentally opposed to it being in Meyer park. No taking into account local residents, environment, traffic. Only threat on web documents is vocal residents. No consultation with local residents. We only found out through a flyer about the proposed stadium. It's the only off leash dog park in the area too. Parking will get worse with a stadium in the area. Do not want more 553. For people who are sedentary it might be more useful to provide more passive activity opportunities such as safe walking tracks, parks with perhaps facilities for unorganised activity such as chessboards and the like. For young people to acquire the habit of sport the stadium would be highly desirable particularly if prices can be kept low. 554. John Cain Memorial Park is the largest space and already has parking and another sport facility. T.W. Blake Park is extensively used by cricketers and it would be a shame to displace them. 555. I am currently a member of the Victorian Roller Derby League. Our current training facility is a factory located on Oakover Rd. While this facility has played a huge part in forwarding our training and ultimately creating our VRDL All Stars who are currently ranked #3 in the world, it is not ideal. The floor is continually needing work due to potholes developing (among many other things) and as a non-profit organisation the continued maintenance is not ideal. Our current membership fees barely cover rent of the space and we hold our public bouts at the Darebin Community Sports Centre. While Darebin is a good space in a good location, it would be ideal to have a centre where we are able to train and play our games that is more specified to our requirements. I am certain that we would have members of VRDL who would be very keen to be involved in any discussion to help develop a venue that would give us the opportunity to really let roller derby develop and become a mainstream sport right alongside basketball, netball, hockey, and the likes. 556. My kids play at Collingwood All Stars... they're turning players away... so if there is no court what else are the kids going to do. I have enough trouble keeping them off technology! 557. Roller derby remains the fastest growing women's sport in the world. However, local leagues are struggling with the costs associated with renting practice and bout space. The Victorian Roller Derby League features the #3 ranked team in the world, and the skaters in this league provide the highest quality coaching and gameplay available in Australia. The league currently trains and bouts within the city of Darebin, and would love to continue to do so, but they need support to make this sustainable. A multi-sport stadium that included a space suitable and available for roller derby training and bouting would be a huge help for this sport. I am a resident of Darebin as well, and I would strongly support the involvement of the Victorian Roller Derby League in consultation and planning for a multi-sport stadium that accommodates and promotes roller derby. 558. My Basketball team plays all over the eastern and inner northern suburbs and everywhere there are brand new basketball courts at schools EXCEPT in Darebin. Northcote High does not have a suitable court, Thornbury High has a very old and not very good court, none of the primary schools such as Westgarth have courts. Local Basketball clubs (such as Collingwood All Stars, which has many players from Darebin) are turning away potential players (mostly children) due to lack of facilities. 559. Roller Derby is the fastest growing women's sport In Australia and the world at large. The City of Darebin is home to the top teams in Australia and #3 ranked team in the world. Currently, local leagues are member run, financed in privately owned facilities and struggling to survive. A multi purpose venue which includes roller derby facilities is well and truly needed within the City of Darebin! Not only would it benefit the continuing development of the sport, but also enable the City of Darebin to be actively involved with supporting a close- knit community with a focus on athleticism, fitness, health and gender equality. 560. I personally find it a joy watching the Collingwood All Stars Club combine Sudanese kids with sometimes better off children from Fitzroy and Clifton Hill. Sport and basketball in particular is the ultimate merging of cultures and part of the integration in Melbourne that I am so proud of. Please support this wonderful part of our town. 561. An ice rink is much more of a need than a roller rink, and would be taken up by more people. The City of Darebin is far enough from the Docklands Icehouse to complement rather than compete with that overworked venue. 562. I think the proposal shows potential however I have concerns regarding development over existing outdoor land. I believe the outdoor parks in Darebin and in extension the northern suburbs of Melbourne is a great advantage and these parks should be protected. I don't think this development would be appropriate for either Mayer park or McDonnell Park. The multi use stadium would most appropriately be placed at John Cain park as it would expand and compliment the current facilities quite well. 563. The Darebin City Council should take green and open space off the agenda for this development completely, and should consider brownfield and other industrial sites. Once green space is gone, it's gone forever. Let's invest in the future by preserving what we currently have, rather than saving some dollars for short-term gain.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 53 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 564. I think it's a vital resource that's lacking in Darebin. As parents with children playing sport every weekend, having good facilities in the neighbourhood would allow for greater numbers to join in. Travelling around for games and trekking down to Collingwood afterschool for practise is difficult and puts some families off joining. Please build a multipurpose stadium for us all to use! 565. Northcote desperately needs to support more sporting venues for its increasing population .It currently has nowhere other than the high school for where one can play netball! 566. A single complex will encourage more families to join as the current situation where families need to drive to so many destinations is difficult to manage for some. 567. Taking away public parks area for an indoor stadium will in no way assist in my or my family's level of exercise. Support sporting groups rather than building stadiums. 568. Passive open spaces are in short supply in Darebin. They are also highly popular and enable free recreation for all members of the community - not just those who want to access (and can afford) organised sports. I think it is short-sighted to consider using existing open spaces to site a stadium. I would prefer that council consider other sites that would benefit from such a renewal of use. Darebin is already a highly urban environment with a lack of green open spaces. 569. I think it’s a great idea. Many other sports in the area probably want to use the already existing space but can’t as it’s always booked out to other leagues etc.!!!! 570. I attend Northcote High School and play basketball with Collingwood Basketball Club. There is a desperate need for additional basketball courts in the Darebin area. I strongly support the proposed Darebin Stadium 571. Please don't take public open space for this building. Either buy land or use an already developed site like NARC or DISC 572. Love the idea but don't think existing green spaces / recreation facilities should be used as this will reduce existing activity. 573. If people are sedentary it’s most likely by choice. On the other hand all people -sedentary and not- benefit from parks in this increasingly overbuilt environment. I’m a very active person who uses parks in one way or another on a daily basis. I never set foot in a 'stadium', because with my interests there is nothing there for me. In short it would be too sedentary an experience so why would I? 574. The Mayer park area is unable to support such a facility. The increased residential growth has already placed significant pressures on the road and surrounding infrastructure of Mayer park. The park is used heavily by families with you kids, dogs and supports local fitness / sporting groups. By developing this site you will place enormous pressures and ruin a favourite community outdoor space that many enjoy on a daily basis. 575. My children play basketball , there is a strong need for more indoor basketball courts for training and to play games 576. I hope the council actually listens to resident's concerns about the location of the proposed stadium. 577. It's a bad idea to get rid of existing parks that serve all types of people in the community. Walkers, bootcamp, soccer, dog owners. Seems counter intuitive to the parks supposed 'open space' policy. 578. I have read the proposal from SGL and think that co-location of the facility near NARC provides the best option. Not discussed in the report is the diabolical lack of parking at Mayer Park. Stealing more green open space to make additional car parking here would be very undesirable for local residents. Of all the suggested sites Mayer Park is the smallest and the loss of this small wedge of multi-use recreational space is undesirable. Organised sports are small part of leisure activity - kite flying, dog walking, running and self- directed training would be lost to residents in this area by building the facility at Mayer Park. I am also feeling slightly confused about the scores in the matrix for the site comparison. I cannot understand how Mayer park has better public transport than McDonnell, both are serviced by buses only. Yet the score differs significantly. The same for criteria 15, commercial potential. I wonder if there is subjectivity entering here? Co-location of the stadium with NARC could potential provide synergies with the existing facility and services at NARC - potentially allowing shared contracts and management structures for the ongoing facilities and reducing the cost burden on council. 579. State funding was allocated to the Banyule Basketball and Netball centre redevelopment at Banksia College site which has now been removed by Labour government. This development should not be receiving state funding ahead of the Banyule redevelopment proposal which is further developed and ready to commence. 580. I strongly support another stadium in the Darebin area which is close to train/tram lines so players can get to training/games easily. In addition there is a lack of basketball stadiums in the area which prohibits some children/teenagers from taking up a sport. 581. Having a community stadium. Would increase children exercises and eventually lead to healthier kids 582. It seems extremely short sighted to take any green land that is available. There are numerous disused industrial areas that could be converted. There is also already limited parking already in the surrounding streets. 583. Replace grandstand at Bill Lawry oval with Multi purpose facility for all sports involved ,Aussie rules, netball, cricket, tennis, volleyball ,badminton and others 584. I am completing this on behalf of my children who participate in the above sports. I certainly think that the stadium needs to stay south of Bell St. The need has been found to be at this end of the municipality. We also want our children to be able to walk /ride to the stadium, rather than be driven, which will happen if it is kept in the area of greatest need. I also support the fact that there is likely to be increased need over the
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 54 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments years, and therefore an increase in the number of courts. Three indoor courts does not seem enough to me. 585. Sport has a multitude of benefits for children and adults alike including physical health and fitness, mental health, social skills and relationships, community connections.... the list goes on! We are currently limited by the available facilities and are in desperate need for more basketball courts to cater for the growing number of children seeking to participate. 586. There is an urgent need for futsal in the area. I have had to travel for my son to Preston, Ivanhoe, McCleod and even Bundoora for indoor soccer (futsal). Soccer is rapidly increasing in popularity, particularly for girls and should be enjoyed all year and futsal can do that. 587. Mayer Park is NOT the right venue for this facility. The open space is critical to the Zone 1 residential community (pretty much all we have in the south-west of the LGA) and is used a great deal by many people (I and my dog use it every day). Congestion in the area is increasing with the various townhouse developments and developing this site would substantially increase congestion, reduce the function of the site as a place of community connectedness and potentially undermine Council's very objective by decreasing the use of the site for exercise and participation by local older residents and young families who live around the park. 588. I think this is a great idea. The facility will not only increase physical activity but improve general health and wellbeing, community connectedness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (if the community is reducing the distance they travel to use a high quality facility). It would be great if the facility could incorporate as much Environmentally Sustainable Design as possible. Although this tends to increase up-front building costs, the payback can be short due to lower energy and water bills. GESAC (Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre) has done this very well. Good luck. 589. We desperately need this facility. Our basketball practices are constantly getting cancelled due to lack of facilities... and we regularly have to travel to Auburn to play games. Our girls are training for netball on outdoor courts with giant cracks in the asphalt and we are going through band aids at a rate of knots We waste many hours and contribute to traffic congestion through not having these services available locally. 590. Do not take away open space. Development potential is huge and there is a lack open space. This is criminal that council doesn't mandate open space 591. Good idea. I've just moved from City of Boroondara. They had many more options for gym / sport facilities. Like to see more here. I'm raising my family in Thornbury and plan on staying for quite some time. 592. Having regard to the Outdoor Multi Court Feasibility Study, the authors have erroneously assessed the suitability of sites, in particular, at Mayer Park. The Council has failed to take the opportunity to properly consult with existing stakeholders at this time, and such failure has caused such concern and consternation within those groups. 593. I would definitely use the multi-sports stadium as I have just recently been looking for a place to do sport in Darebin (closer to home). The Preston Secondary girl school is probably the best location that I would suggest. It would increase sports anticipation rates considerably in Darebin as well as increase the value of Darebin properties and quality of life of the residents. I'm hoping this project will be accepted and the Preston Secondary College land will have the new sporting venue. Cheers Paul 594. I believe very strongly that enhanced or created sporting facilities will greatly support and generate better outcomes for individuals, families and community groups from all walks of life and sporting pursuits. It is essential to the well-being of a healthy, happy community that exercise and participation are fostered and encouraged. 595. The park is already well used by teams within the community for soccer, cricket, lacrosse, fitness groups etc. These adults already use the park for their exercise, not to mention all the owners of dogs that get their daily exercise by walking and socialising their dogs at the park. $50,000 was just spent on exercise equipment to be used at the park. The park is well loved and used by community members and a development here would ruin it, as well as the local wild life that lives by the Merri Creek. Think of another place to put the development! 596. The money would much better be spent on greenification projects that encouraged people to get out to the parks and walk or play with their kids/pets. It would cost less, put less stress on the traffic and would achieve the goal of making people less sedentary. Currently the parklands around Merri Creek and Mayer park are littered with rubbish, the trees are often cut down and not replaced, or if they are they have a plastic tree guard put on them that ends up in the creek, the area is not well cared for. Community gardens would foster community engagement, and health. A new stadium is NOT going to make people less sedentary it’s just going to clog up the traffic and be a huge eyesore. PLEASE DON'T BUILD IT 597. It would be good to integrate at planning stages with the leisure centre/pool for best urban/design outcomes, cost efficiency and low duplication of toilets, cafe etc 598. Multi purpose courts should be included in anything that is developed so that the same space can future proofed and used for multiple activities throughout the week. Recent examples include the Grandview park in the City of Vancouver, Dolores Park in the City of San Francisco and Neil Street in the City of Melbourne. 599. A Stadium would allow access to schools and clubs from outer suburbs. Communities can benefit the facilities and it is also a local stadium with style. 600. We live in Northcote and our family supports the building of the proposed stadium. I have school aged children who play netball and have to travel outside council area to train (previously trained at a school in Preston but that closed). Fees have increased because of cost of new training location and my children's participation depends on me being able to drive them. Most of our team/ club's players live in Darebin. It would be good to have access to a local facility which would make it easier for local children to participate in team sports like netball.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 55 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 601. I oppose the Mayer Park option. It is the smallest of the three proposed options and the others could take the development without losing all the usable space for local residents. 602. This is well overdue - regularly go to the East for sport and they have access to outstanding sporting facilities - also many families are moving to the inner North and there must a significant access to sporting facilities. The health benefits and community engagement are obvious. 603. Location should not be at the expense of existing open parkland, especially considering Council has an 'Open Space Policy'. The open spaces provide the opportunity for all to participate in exercise ('sport') irrespective of age or financial standing- because, let’s face it, someone has to pay for any 'stadium'. A stadium will marginalise those in the community that cannot afford extra costs & those that cannot or don't wish to participate in team sports. Instead, perhaps improve the capacity of an existing 'stadium'. 604. I think a new multi-sport facility should be top priority in Darebin. Sports is important for adults and children alike in managing mental health and well as physical wellbeing. 605. While recreational facilities are a positive, the proposed stadium should not compromise current open space in suburban parks such as McDonnell Park. Open space is very limited in the southern part of Darebin and open space statistics for Darebin as a whole are skewed by including Yarra Bend park in the area available, which is in the far south of the area and only within walking distance of a limited number of residents. In truth, residents would like open space within 500m of their houses. McDonnell Park (and other similar smaller parks) are heavily used by walkers, joggers, people with dogs, sports clubs, people kicking a footy or soccer ball, and young families that need space given small property sizes and many flats in this part of Darebin. Given the aim of new facilities is to increase physical exercise, using up open space to do so would be counterproductive - it would simply take exercise area away from residents to provide to sports facility users/members. While the redevelopment of the YMCA centre (adjacent to McDonnell park) would also be a positive, any plans for a further sports centre would increase the footprint and/or add parking areas which would eat into open space. Evidence also suggests this would disadvantage young families, low income earners and the elderly, who use open space to exercise rather than sports facilities. For this reason, it would make more sense to use the John Cain reserve area to develop this facility, given it is earmarked for sports facilities, rather than taking open space from other parks. In addition, the John Cain reserve is properly set up for the number of users likely to utilise sports facilities - it has an entrance and parking off the main road. The use of McDonnell Reserve (and the other smaller reserves looked at) would likely require traffic/parking off/in residential streets. This would severely affect the liability of local neighbourhoods. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment. 606. Access to green space results in higher levels of exercise - not sports stadium where users will have to pay or be part of a club to participate. There are already exercise groups operating in the park and many casual users participating in casual football, dog walking, jogging etc. This will limit their participation on exercise. This is a short-sighted, expensive proposal and I do not support it. 607. It will increase activity in a narrow age bracket and for short periods. Basically the suburb is changing too quickly through developers building nasty eyesores and clogging the roads with cars. To have another major building project just adds to the growing stress of living in a place I have loved for decades. If you have to build it should adjoin existing buildings not encroach on a space where you can still see the sunset and feel the wind. 608. My two children are just starting to get into team sport and could really benefit from these types of facilities. 609. Recent proposals by Council for an indoor sports stadium are laudable. However there are severe shortcomings in the process of developing the concept to date. This is evident from a review of the available documentation about the proposal and the messages at community consultation sessions. The single biggest concern is the Council’s current approach to siting. The consultant’s report into siting almost exclusively looked at existing park land – a precious community asset. Any move to annex public open green space for a complex of this sort will be rightly resisted by the community, as it essentially disadvantages an incumbent group (local residents, dog walkers, informal and formal sports groups, of all ages and backgrounds) against those wishing to participate in ball/court sports. Promoting good health in the community is a worthy goal of council, but taking away public open green space will not further this goal. The Feasibility report by SGL consultants was narrowly focused and looks to have been constrained by a poor brief and limited resources. I have some major concerns, both as a Darebin resident and a consulting engineer who regularly completes feasibility, siting and design studies for infrastructure. Consultation – this feasibility report ONLY considered netball clubs for consultation. Yes council has since conducted wider consultation, but only after this report was completed, digested by council and regurgitated in what appears to be an Officer’s synopsis. All this before so much as a whisper to the community. Long list of potential sites – the feasibility report ONLY considered public open space (or sites with significant open space). No industrial or brown field locations were considered and land held by State Government was largely ruled out. Council representatives were dismissive of collaboration with State Government at the consultation – despite this being the key source of external funds. o Now this is very troubling. As the population of Darebin swells, the existing open spaces become ever more valuable. Council representative at community consultation commented that this was done as parkland spaces would be “cheaper” and hence have a greater chance of success. In the same breath the Council representative stated that in line with the Council’s open space strategy that any loss of public space would be offset with new public space elsewhere.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 56 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments Now I call bullshit on this. Either Council will offset any lost public space in which case it needs to be INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS PROJECT. Or, more likely, Council had not actually thought this through and has no actual plan to establish an equivalent new open space as an offset. To reiterate the last point – IF ANY LOST PUBLIC SPACE WILL BE REPLACED, WHY NOT LOOK TO THESE OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE?! Scoring of options – I know from experience that we all love to have a workshop and score things as though we know everything – I see this far too often. Trying to numerically score across 22 options and maintain consistency in approach, without robust quantitative measures to allow a truthful comparison of options, is a recipe for disaster. Further, trying to achieve such a fine grained resolution by producing scores with up to 5 significant figures lends a false veneer of science to an otherwise subjective and qualitative process. Short list of options – All public open green space. Not surprising given the process to get here, but troubling as it pits the community against itself and creates winners and losers. So in summary, the work to date on this project has not taken the Council’s own strategy regarding open space into account, or if it did has completely failed to factor in the true costs of building on parkland. I strongly urge Council to go back and consider a wider range of siting options, with a view to co-locating with existing community assets (e.g. YMCA or Northcote High) plus considering redevelopment of the multiple warehouse locations in the city.
For Council to have come this far and to have considered public open green space almost exclusively is at best naïve and overly simplistic and at worst lazy. I strongly support the motion passed at the most recent Council meeting by Councillors McCarthy, Lee and Greco. 610. I 'm a sports supporter who doesn't support loss of open space. As our manufacturing industry (unfortunately) crumbles, there must be loads of old factories that could be converted into sports stadiums in Darebin. The land values -given they are in industrial estates, surely wouldn't be as high as in green parkland areas. Win win. 611. I live in Normanby avenue across the road from Mayer Park. The park is utilised by dog walkers, locals and kids, organised sport, cricket, soccer, balloon launches. Already parking is fairly restricted around the park and peak hour traffic can cause significant lengthy queues and delays. Mayer Park appears to be the preferred site according to the feasibility study but I would encourage the local government to seriously consider already choked single lane traffic congestion, limited parking availability and regular use of the park already cherished by the local community before making its decision in committing to a significant financial investment that local residents may find objectionable and ill-considered use of its resources. 612. Mayer Park is not an acceptable location. It is a residential neighbourhood already struggling with traffic in the area. Northcote High has the room and direct access from St Georges Road would make this an ideal location of a facility of this size. 613. I feel that the stadium and outdoor courts would be best located at the McDonnell Park Precinct so that they, along with the swimming pool facilities would establish a first class sporting precinct for the Darebin area. 614. I do not think that a Multi sports stadium will be an advantage to the area, but rather a negative. Most of the parks south of Bell St are rather small and are used for sports already, such as cricket, soccer, AFL, boot camps, school sports and dog walking etc. These activities cover the broad spectrum of the Darebin residence (from the elderly to the young school children to the highly active young adult). By using an already utilised park for such a project will mean the park is not benefiting every Darebin Council resident but rather just the smaller percentage that play organised sport (and they are already taken care of with the cricket and soccer pitches etc). 615. There are currently limited indoor sporting facilities in the Inner North. Basketball is the 2nd most popular sport in Victoria, yet this local area does not have a multi-court facility. Collingwood Basketball Club is currently operating from 9 sites. It would be great to have a local facility to meet this demand. 616. It should be located at Merri Park, near Northcote High School. Mayer Park is the wrong location for the stadium. Placing the sports stadium near the Northcote High School is the best place. 617. I would hate to see the loss of green park area where the expansion of the already perfect location of DISC is available. Use the 618. Great initiative to add sport facilities, particularly a stadium for team sport to increase long term interest and participation for better health in all ages. 619. I'm part of VRDL, top 3 roller derby league in the world. We produce some of the best players in the world and continue to strive to involve the local community in our activities. And everyone knows that team sports is the best way to get off the couch and make a difference to your own lives - what a way make a difference to so many lives, Darebin! 620. Basketball is hardly mentioned in the reports but is in desperate need of more courts. Collingwood Basketball is the closest decent standard representative club and has to hire single indoor courts at schools in Darebin to meet demand. 621. It is absurd that such a large municipality does not have this sort of facility, which would be hugely popular and of immense benefit to a) the building of better community links through events etc and b) bring enormous health and welfare benefits to residents. It would be an amazing project if it ever gets off the ground. 622. I support the provision of additional sporting facilities in Darebin. I trust the council to choose an appropriate location for any development. I also trust the council to take in account the concerns of any residents while ensuring any development fits in well with the character of the surrounding area. 623. I am a Northcote resident and have 3 kids playing for Collingwood All Stars and we have a significant
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 57 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments shortage of courts 624. The development is much needed in our community but should not be built on sites that reduce our existing green spaces. These are equally important to our quality of life in Darebin 625. We are a family with 3 boys, all attending Northcote High School. We live on Thornbury/Northcote border. For the community and Northcote High School to benefit from this proposed/possible stadium would make it a great win for the local community 626. Incorporate a bike polo compatible court into the design please! Bike polo can share courts with netball, basketball, futsal and even tennis if designed properly. We have lots of players in the Darebin area who would be able to take advantage of this! 627. This is fantastic and would be a great asset for the community. It would be great to have it near a park with bbqs and the like for post team events and game lunches etc. 628. I completely object to this proposal if it diminishes existing open green spaces that are available to all in the community that is, those that may not participate in the sports that you suggest will benefit from the facility. Protection of open green spaces is paramount. 629. Darebin South needs a stadium that caters for girls. Indoor Netball courts are definitely needed. 630. IT is great that the city of Darebin can also support residents from City of Yarra who go to school, or work or play in the City of Darebin. Urgent need for this size facility in this corridor of Melbourne. I support the stadium being in the southern end of Darebin, and that public transport is also being considered especially for young people! 631. It's concerning that Darebin is considering using parkland for a sporting complex. Organised, team sports are on the decline, individualised sporting pursuits (eg walking, running) are on the rise. People have busy lives and enjoy the flexibility to undertake their sport and fitness at a time that suits them. Something that organised team sports does not really allow. Parkland is more important to the local community that a multisport stadium. Darebin also has an Open Space Strategy which is supposedly focused on preserving our parklands, not using them for commercial ventures. Why not look at a more appropriate site for this project? Yes it may cost more but I'd like to think that the Darebin council is more driven by the communities needs rather than lining its own pockets. 632. What a piss weak of shit this survey has been. Thanks to the local Wi-Fi hotspot savemayerpark.org for their bandwidth while I done this survey. 633. If Darebin are prepared to go ahead, it would be great to have swimming pool and gym included because the YMCA facilities get very crowded and there's increasing pressure due to population growth, on these existing facilities. 634. Please be careful that if you go ahead with this stadium that you don't ruin things for existing team sports-ie cricket, soccer, AFL. Some of the sites listed in the feasibility study are already much loved by the community ie Mayer park. I'd much rather see council invest in planting more trees and putting in some more bench seats so we can continue to enjoy these beautiful and much Needed outdoor spaces. Please don't turn them into a car park. 635. Outdoor Basketball courts. Or at least a few of the Outdoor Netball courts to have backboards and be Netball/Basketball courts for dual use. 636. Mayer Park is not the right place for the proposed development. With an increasingly growing soccer club calling the park home, the ground already promotes the right kind of activity and exercise - engaging men, women and now junior teams and their families and communities. Development of the park and loss of green open space would negatively impact the amenity the park provides to local and community residents. (Dog walkers, casual sports players, team sports players, fitness groups, personal trainers and incidental users) 637. A location that does not require the closure of existing sports clubs/ grounds/ play areas is essential. Large area for car park is required. No current sports facility has sufficient car parking. Kids do not get public transport on a Saturday morning! 638. Co-locating facilities at one or more schools might serve wider community purposes. EG Thornbury high court is well used on both weekends and weekdays. Improving / adding new courts at schools would give the community quality assets which are optimally utilised, and reduce the use of community open space. 639. As above but not at the expense of losing our green spaces. These will be the lungs of the municipality as traffic and population increases. Once a green space has been taken, it will not be replaced! 640. As a local resident and current user of the Mayer park I object to the proposal to develop this park. It is important to retain this park for the enjoyment of all, not exclude those who do not participate in these particular team sports. How many local will utilise this? This is a loss of open parkland for your local rate payers. 641. Ideally close to other sporting facilities such as the pool or the footy ground, or in combination with a state school who usually have woeful sporting facilities. Great idea, we sadly lack such a stadium 642. The inner North has very few stadium options for their residents. My children spend hours in the car on weekends being driven to basketball courts in the far outer suburbs.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 58 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 643. It should not be in Mayer park as proposed. This is one of the only large open parks in the area, already used by people for incidental exercise (dog walking and kids playing) as well as by cricket and soccer clubs. Given half of batman park will be eaten up by buildings for an early childhood hub that leaves Mayer park as our only other large park in the area. Please leave Mayer park undeveloped. Council dollars have recently been spent to upgrade facilities and this would be wasted. Maybe some of the large factory sites that are being developed into apartments (Windsor smith St Georges rd) should also be considered as a viable space, rather than eating into more of our green space. 644. Thank god for basketball - less dangerous than football, can be played in any weather, develops great team responsibility in young people. More of it please! 645. People who want to do organised sport will find the facilities they need from those already on offer. Sedentary people are not going to join a netball team or futsal team (organised sport) as their first foray into higher levels of activity. They are more likely to undertake low key activities (easy, just-in-time, non-committal activities). We need to create local and welcoming multipurpose and open community spaces that encourage people out of their homes to walk their dogs, maybe go for a jog, fly a kite and kick a ball around with their grand/kids or push their grand/kids on a swing. A sports stadium won't do that. In fact, if an existing park is used for a stadium, we will go backwards because we are reducing the opportunities for people to engage in such low-key activities. Further, with the in-fill of suburbs, the need for park and outdoor community space is growing. Developers' often successfully apply to build apartment blocks and other high density dwellings by citing existing community outdoor space provided by community parks and grassed sports fields, in lieu of providing open space within their developments. Hence, we must increase or at least the very least maintain existing parks, rather than build sports stadiums on top of them. There is a place for sports stadiums, but not at the cost of our parks and other open space. 646. The council must be more ambitious. You should include more multipurpose courts with some spectator seating, and smaller rooms that could house group activities such as yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, dance etc. The smaller rooms should have access to a shared kitchen so that the rooms can be hired out for functions. There MUST be good storage facilities so that sporting groups and private organisations can store equipment onsite. We have proposed locating it at DISC as there is already a cafe and parking, although more parking may need to be considered. A good starting point is to look at the Boroondara Sports Complex minus the pool and gym. Boroondara's complex has been an overwhelming success and they are now expanding. I hope council has been talking to Boroondara - I am sure we can learn from their experience. I know money is always tight but building a decent facility now will save money in the future. Decide on a site quickly, get State Government support and start building asap. 647. Mayer Park Is not a good location. Single lane streets that already get clogged very easily would suffer under the weight of more activity, and inadequate parking. Normanby Road and local streets cannot cope with that kind of facility. 648. The community desperately needs this facility. If we want to continue encouraging our children to be active it's not negotiable 649. By not having a stadium in the northern suburbs sporting clubs are being pushed out to other suburbs 650. We are very keen to involve our kids in sport to establish good habits early, find friends they can play with locally and keep them occupied (and away from electronic devices). At the moment we travel to other municipalities to play but feel all this extra travel doesn't sit well with our desire to live and play locally, nor with reducing carbon emissions. We believe there needs to be a couple of purpose built centres south of Bell. 651. M any kids who play for Collingwood Allstars live and attend school in Darebin. The only court in Darebin that we play on is at Thornbury High. It old dark slippery and has minimal seating for spectators. 652. A desperately needed facility in an area of massive growth. Serious consideration needs to be given to the venue, and if some outside space needs to be sacrificed, so be it 653. I use Mayer Park to practice footy with my friends as it is close to our homes and our parents let us go there after school and on the weekend 654. I have concerns that the feasibility study that identified Mayer park as the preferred site focused on technical aspects and cost of construction, with minimal consideration of existing users (including recreational users) and negative impact on traffic, residential parking and quality of life for neighbouring residents. 655. Definite 'NO' for proposed location of Mayer Park. The area cannot cope with more traffic, which is already exacerbated by services at the Maronite Church on Normanby Ave and bottled-necked by the narrow streets in the area and short traffic-light phasing at the intersection of St George and Normanby Ave. 656. It is critical for this area to have an indoor sports stadium for people of all ages to engage in physical activity. The rapid increase of non-communicable diseases in Australia should make this a priority for all levels of government. There are large numbers of young people in the Darebin area and it is imperative that the council provide a space for sports. 657. It is bizarre that the nearest site for Netball comp for us, living in Alphington/Fairfield is Banyule Netball stadium. There are heaps of ovals for Cricket/Aussie rules/soccer. Female-engaging sports are vastly under- resourced in the region. The Government has recognised that, but seems to have no vision for indoor stadiums, just small up-grades to local outdoor courts. This is simple not equitable! 658. Currently Darebin children have to the City of Yarra for basketball - this is unacceptable. Darebin needs to urgently make this a priority and support all our children (particularly girls) in pursuing local physical activity.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 59 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 659. Our children miss basketball training every second week as the hall they hire is used by its owners. They are trying to have fun and be a committed team but it's hard without facilities. 660. The location of the stadium should not be in a residential area and should not displace major existing facilities, such as the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre. 661. My children current play basketball with Collingwood Allstars. This facility will help the club which currently "borrows" facilities from local schools with a venue for games. 662. The greatest decision for any multicultural community in our time will be how we can positively engage young people in the community. 663. Don't put it at Mayer park. It is a free area where children and families can play. It is outdoors and is a great place for play and exercise. Why put in more indoor facilities that cost a lot of money to access. Leave Mayer Park as is a free and spacious area for families and people with pets can access for free. Spend the millions of dollars on bike paths. 664. Hands off McDonnell Park, we are in a highly residential area that already has enough multi level apartments and dual occupancy. Weekend sports and weekday training is already an issue for residents in the area with traffic, parking, and noise. 665. Leave the only open alone!, lots of people use this area for outdoor space much more than your team sports would ever do! The local area use it nearly 24 hrs a day not a couple a hours a night if you lucky. IF the council has money to burn lower my rates 666. I applaud the Council for looking at a multipurpose facility that would be beneficial to a greater range of the community. Parking/Public Transport will be important also and that needs to be taken into account. I think near the Northcote High / Merri Ck PS which are both busting at the seams would be a great location and would allow for use during school hours to maximise use and ROI. There is a lot of parkland that can be used and more than this there is a lot of "dead" industrial areas that should be considered for joint investment and repurposing. 667. Additional facilities would provide more opportunity for participation as well as potentially reducing costs by providing competition with existing facilities. 668. The development of a multi-sport Stadium south of Bell Street is needed in the extreme in Darebin. There is very little in the way of indoor sporting facilities in the region, I have to drive to Hawthorn for indoor cricket training as the facility in Thornbury is always over-booked. Further, the demographics of the area are changing with more young families moving in. These groups will need sporting facilities for their children (and the parents!) to ensure they stay active, participate in team / community groups & develop pride in their area - all good things! 669. It is really required in Northcote or Thornbury. We have nothing in our suburb. Please place close to transport on a North/South route for tram or train to increase accessibility. 670. It would be good if it could be built in an area that was not already being used by sporting clubs. 671. Community meeting rooms able to be accessed externally, independent access without needing to open up the entire facility, with kitchenette and toilet facilities 672. I do not support the stadium as this would mean the loss of more open and green space. Further increasing urban heat island effect. Traffic would become much worse along Normanby ave. 673. Needs to be environmentally friendly in building concept. Parking facilities, close to public transport. 674. We are in need of a training venue for roller derby we can train on wood - so basketball courts, we would just need a derby 675. Team sports proven importance to both the physical and mental health of the local Darebin community warrants the Council’s investigation into improving the facilities within the southern area of Darebin. 676. Mayor Park is the park near my home and is a park that brings the community together. The people living there use the park for various activities including a soccer club and while there is room for upgrades in amenities in the park, having the stadium will not benefit the community there. 677. There is currently a huge and growing demand for ice sports in Melbourne and with only two ice rinks, there is a significant shortage of available ice time. In regards to ice rink provision, Melbourne falls short of the mark in comparison with other major cities. While construction of a new ice rink may require significant investment, I believe the City of Darebin would benefit greatly by taking the lead and consider incorporating a new ice rink as part of delivering opportunities for increased physical activity. A new ice rink would also foster the already prominent Darebin multiculturalism with international ice sports, and it also provides a great venue for entertainment. A Darebin ice rink would be well worth considering. 678. We have two young sons that would use any facility. Provided it did not impact too much on existing operators we would welcome a 24 hr gym closer than Northlands. 679. My family and I are very strongly opposed to development at Mayer Park. This is an important open space and community centre for the local neighbourhood where families, children, dog owners and fitness groups meet. The proposed development should be an addition to an already established sporting centre, not the creation of a new one. 680. Great idea! We travel to Hawthorn for Basketball and Parkville for netball. Love it if there was a facility close by. The population of Darebin is growing and facilities are already limited. This will be a much needed improvement in the area. Good work.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 60 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 681. I feel this is a complete waste of $12 million! Surely we could put the money to use with community initiatives to get people moving rather than spending so much money on a stadium. I am not at all involved in team sports and neither is anyone in my family so this outrageous spend does nothing for us. Why not put the money to helping the disadvantaged groups in Darebin rather than throwing money away on sport! 682. As a resident of Shaftesbury parade, (Mayer park) the current impact of the cricket/soccer causes on traffic parking and noise is already an issue. We have to avoid Leinster grove as you are sometimes unable to drive down the street. We are high users of Mayer park, we walk our dog, play footy, run & watch the sports that are played there on the weekend. We would be deeply saddened if our beloved park was turned into a sports stadium. We need open outdoor spaces for FREE activities. 683. Many children/teenagers in Darebin are disconnecting from regular sport due to the lack of a suitable venue in the area. 684. The stadium must be located near public transport, on a main road for easy access (and less disruption to residents) and should not use public space already used for other leisure activities such as local people exercising. The stadium should not use the land just for those playing team sports. I am surprised that these type of facilities such as at schools are not more 685. Any new stadium needs to be serviced by public transport/bike paths/walking distance for those persons that hopping into a car is not an option. There needs to be natural light/glass. Carlton Baths is a good model x 4 686. The Darebin RSL is closing their sports centre located near corner of Bell St & St Georges Rd on 1-7-2015. It is a 70's building in need of maintenance, but it is equipped with 2 squash courts, a heated pool, spa, sauna, and gymnasium. Could the Council please buy this facility and upgrade it for community use to supplement a new stadium at H.P Zwar reserve? Parking could be provided in the median strip in St Georges Rd. 687. It is important to not replace open parkland with indoor sports facilities. Usage of space currently designated to car parking, industrial space or other publicly owned would be FAR PREFERABLE to converting outdoor to indoor. Re: MAYER PARK PROPOSAL: PLEASE NOTE that TRAFFIC is a SERIOUS PROBLEM on Normanby Avenue and placement of a facility in Mayer Park will EXACERBATE this problem for both residents and those who already use this thoroughfare. 688. Fantastic to see this happening - there is a dire need in the area for more indoor facilities, particularly basketball. My only comment would be, why stop at three courts? I would like to see 6 or 8 courts, possibly with a "show" court that a "big league" (Big V or NBL) club or team could use as their home base. It also seems very timely that this is happening now - with the development at the paper mills site beginning at around the same time, it seems like a perfect opportunity to combine the two which would ensure that the development would have some real community benefit in the area. 689. I currently use Mayer Park/Normanby Ave (Thornbury) 3 times a week (3 hours) for group fitness training. It's a great park also used by sports teams, dog walkers and hot air balloon groups. I would be sad to see the park go. I'd love girls to have more netball courts would just like to see unused commercial land rather than park. 690. There needs to be 3 to 4 courts. These need to be able to be used for multiple different purposes and available to a range of sporting clubs. 691. Prioritising health and fitness facilities in the inner north would greatly enhance our children's (and families) access to opportunities and experiences that promote health and wellbeing and fun. This facility closer to our homes would be fabulous!!!! Thanks 692. Replacing Mayer park would limit people's participation to sports and joining sports club because it is reducing area for clubs to play at and is taking away a great park where kids and adults can play their own sport of any kind at the park. 693. If council is truly committed to providing quality local badminton facilities it will be demonstrated by giving serious attention to providing them as a primary facility and not as an add on to netball and basketball. For example, proper lighting and with adequate attention to minimising visual distraction. Netball and basketball lighting does not suit badminton play. Also badminton lines are often lost in the tangle of netball and basketball court lines. You really need a specific space allocated for badminton. Increasing participation takes more than providing facilities, the people mentioned in the report aren't necessarily youngsters who would be using the type of facilities you have mentioned. Access, cost and programmes designed to specifically attract the sedentary population will be needed. 694. I believe we need another facility which will cater for the growing number of children being involved in a team sport. The community is growing and there are no facilities for the increase participation of a sport. We travel from Northcote to hawthorn to play basketball and as for netball we struggle to find a place to train because of the increase of teams that are involved within the club. There is no space or facility located or available around Darebin to support any sport. 695. Not sure if Capp Reserve is being used too much, but there is not much public transport near that reserve. 696. We desperately need more facilities for our kids to be able to play the sport they want to! We are really short of basketball courts. 697. Green open space is more important to the local community. More park seats, walking paths and community education about walking is crucial. People who are sedentary are more likely to walk than to take up a team sport. 698. Currently live in Darebin, I play netball, one daughter plays netball and the other plays basketball. There are significant benefits both socially and physically in children playing sport and there are very little facilitates in the Fairfield area particularly for girls playing sport.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 61 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 699. Us girls need somewhere to play netball. There are plenty of footy ovals & lots of cricket pitches but hardly any netball courts. 700. By having the site linked near a school the facility would be used across age groups, school in the day, competitions at night. A fabulous way of ensuring future generations see the benefits, both physical and mental, of involvement in community based team sports! 701. Make sure you don't build this enormous stadium in areas that the community uses widely like Mayer Park. Threatening Mayer Park isn't a good idea, an area that is used widely for overall fitness, walking, running, cricket and soccer clubs as well as fitness group classes. Leave Mayer Park alone! 702. In suburban areas, near where many people want to walk near trees, birds and open spaces building on spaces such as Dennis Cricket oval/Northcote Aquatic Centre is a most disappointing thought. Quality of life for those on foot, especially with pets, will be much curtailed. Leave open spaces please and use space already covered by buildings. 703. Given the strong community support for such a proposal I hope the Council take heed and continue to develop this 704. We are really pleased to see that Council is considering this...We live in Preston and have nowhere to go to practice netball skills outside. We hope the exterior courts will be available for access to encourage kids to use them after school and on weekends. There were basketball rings at NMIT which were regularly used by all ages, but they were cleared to make way for car parking. As was the Preston Pool that was once situated at the now NMIT car park. There are a large amount of apartments being built along these main thoroughfares in Preston, and the increased population will surely benefit from extra sports facilities. Another location for consideration is the Preston Girls School site now vacant...there is an un-used sports stadium already there, as well as space for tennis courts etc. This would be an excellent position for Preston families to utilise...even if it was a free court tennis court purely for public community benefit! It's a perfect location opposite the library, to encourage participation in an exposed and accessible location! 705. I don't believe Darebin has the capacity to build a stadium like the one proposed. It would require significant and irreplaceable loss of open green space. 706. The proposal to destroy existing green space in Mayer park that is well used by walkers, runners, dog walkers, soccer clubs, cricket clubs, children and the local community in general is preposterous. A stadium will bring teams from out of Darebin and will not help the rates of obesity. With so many high rise developments going up we need more green space. This will get people exercising, not a sports stadium! 707. I think it is really important to have more sporting facilities available to the public, there is definite need and interest in the community for this. 708. Please do not construct it at the expense of open parkland which not only lifts people’s spirits and mental health, but provides an opportunity for people of all ages to exercise without cost and beautifies a predominantly concrete landscape. 709. The south Darebin area is currently not meeting the demands its community as there is only one indoor space for sports and no outdoor space for participation in individual or team sports. It is inadequate to say the least. Northcote High School has a very old gymnasium that is desperate need of an update and cannot provide for people young and old to participate in physical activity. The National Physical Activity Guidelines suggest that adults participate in at least 30 mins of physical activity per day. The citizens of Darebin are not provided with access to facilities that promote the health and wellbeing of individuals. Northcote High School is located on a tram line and next to park land. This would be an ideal location for a sports stadium as it is easy to get to and would service a broad range of sporting competitions and community events. Please consider this site as an option. 710. Please make sure it is as far south as possible. There is no point having one close to DSCC DISC or Northcote Aquatic Centre would be great. 711. There is a big need for another stadium in Darebin to get more kids active and into team sports. 712. Considering population are mainly adults I cannot see the requirement to cater for a small percentage of children. 713. The proposed stadium would need to be close (within walking distance) to public transport that head to and from the city (trams or trains rather than bus) 714. Developing a sporting facility at Mayer park is a bad idea - as it is the only ground which is consistently used for cricket, footy and other such sports. Losing that big space to stadiums will be a pity. Moreover building a stadium will add to parking congestion and through-traffic on Leinster Grove and Beaconsfield Parade 715. It would be great to have diverse use courts. The issue with 'just' netball or basketball is that it eliminates use of the space by lots of smaller sporting groups. Mixed use courts are a must! 716. Losing green space, not just for soccer, cricket but dog walkers, existing fitness groups and our rare open air spaces. Closing in this space is not what the community needs when it's available elsewhere...John Cain, Knott Reserve and the many indoor facilities, Darebin Community Sports in Reservoir and also Preston as well as surrounding council areas. This plan is hideous! Consider development spaces that are being earmarked for developers dreams, high residential, office spaces and leave our green spaces alone. 717. I do not think this construction is necessary. We should allocate funding to where there is a real need. 718. Please do not locate it at Mayer Park, this site is already used by local sport teams. I am also concerned about the potential use of the Northcote Golf Club site, which should be retained for golf.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 62 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 719. I would be concerned about any location at McDonnell Park - this is an open space that is already well utilised by the community through Auskcik, footy training and games, dog walking and the children at Clifton St CC. 720. Both my daughters play netball. They train @ Collingwood Leisue Ctr courts & play @ Parkville. Local courts are essential for young kids. The question is, will 3 netball courts be enough for the significant local demand? 721. Why not rescue the Preston Sporting club grounds from the Preston RSL who appear to have reneged on their deal. 722. Sport is such an important part of children's lives in so many ways. Please delay no more and invest in the health of our community. 723. This would be fantastic for the kids that play as sport is so important. It is also good for parents and carers to get involved. I would join an adult team as Northcote high is easy to get to. I would encourage myself and family to ride our bikes to games. The Collingwood basketball team is also a great way to break down potentially racist attitudes given its diversity of participants. 724. Our netball club has struggled to find a suitable cost effective training venue. There are small clubs in the area who desperately need another sports stadium to train and he games. 725. Looks too expensive and irrelevant to build another stadium and reduce parks and open spaces. Why not redevelop the Darebin Road site which is already built up. There are other industrial zones which are not used and could be developed into community spaces rather than removing parklands. 726. Mayer park is currently one of the few in this area that provide a large open space for free use. Even if the proposed facility didn’t take up the whole of the park, it would become fenced off and unavailable for kids with a football, or a playful run with your dog, or walking around and around it for gentle exercise, all of which I've used it for in the past. It's currently used in more than a dozen different ways every week, and there are few places that provide that openness and ease of access. 727. Include a community space like a hall or small gym for local non-profit groups and schools to hire at a discounted rate. 728. There is a large population of younger families all engage in sport and travelling out of Darebin to play...including to MacLeod and Ivanhoe. And hence spending money in those same areas. Eg. Staying there to sop or eat while dropping of or attending their child's sport. I know that's what I do. 729. I would think the desperate need for netball courts in the area would be better dealt with by allocating land in multiple spots around Darebin (sacrificing a few footy ovals) and having several sites with 8+ courts and a sports pavilion/club rooms. Spending $14m to get possibly 4 netball courts is ridiculous and not achieving the goal of netball courts for our girls who are in desperate need for them in Darebin NOW. 730. The kids in Northcote need a place to play basketball - it is great for their physical health and mental well being. 731. I appreciate the council trying to provide facilities for health and lifestyle, but $13 Million of rate payer funds is WAY TOO MUCH!!! and the proposal to put the stadium on MAYER PARK is abhorrent, as it displaces existing sports and leisure on the oval and will add serious congestion to surrounding very narrow streets like Lewis and Newman St which are so narrow and difficult for residents that the Darebin Council sent a letter this week asking residents not to park on the street so the garbage truck can access the street. THIS IS A VERY BAD IDEA and I will oppose to all the way to VCAT if I have to. 732. Hands off McDonnell Park. This is one of the few streets in Northcote that is still relatively quiet, except for Saturdays when the football is on. There has already been an increase in traffic nearby with the apartment block next to 7 11 (behind McDonnell Park). Where are my children going to be able to play if a sports stadium is to be built here? Also, where is my dog going to be able to socialise and mingle with other dogs? Just because I don't participate in team sport doesn't mean that I live an 733. Nowhere to play women’s basketball and kids are really stretched for venues as well. I play soccer at Mayer Park and it supports women soccer so please don't get rid of it! 734. I feel that Mayer Park or any public space is not suitable as elderly seniors like myself need a dog free, easily accessible park to walk possibly elderly, dogs. (I live in Emmaline St ) and myself and many of my neighbours rely on Mayer Park for our exercise and social contact with other dog walkers. Secondly, many young parents use the park and want an accessible green space within walking distance for small children. Thirdly, the traffic flow in Leinster Grove is already a serious problem and will only be exacerbated by a sports stadium. Lastly, I thought Darebin Council was proudly 'green space" oriented??? Thank you for allowing us to share our concerns. Patricia Anderson 735. By redeveloping the Northcote Golf Clubhouse and incorporating it into the facility it will benefit the golfers with modern facilities. Because Golf is a day time sport and the sports centre will be used predominantly in the evening the car park will be better utilised. This site has the benefit of public and active transport on Normandy Rd, Merri Creek and local bike shimmy. Assuming a cafe/bar were incorporated in the facility it will be a destination for local residents as well as facility users. The carpark should be under the stadium to reduce the heat island effect and visual impact. It could also be a haven for residents during a heatwave. The carpark entry should be opposite Comas Grove with traffic lights. It is very important that Mayer park is not impacted as it is important to locals for passive use and sports clubs both summer and winter. 736. The John Cain memorial Park is perfectly positioned for such a development & would be great for all the junior netball and basketball teams/players who struggle to find court space currently.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 63 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Code Written Comments 737. It is badly needed as the present YMCA stadium in Reservoir is in bad need of repair and is a little too far from the centre of our area. Four indoor netball courts and four outdoor would be the minimum required for a strong tournament day a for a strong weekend competition. 738. Having grown up in the country I was very lucky to have wide open spaces to play, ensure room for constant activity & avoid boredom. Our children don’t have this luxury of open spaces so sporting arenas (and sporting events) are paramount in keeping them active and occupied. 739. It should be predominately be focused on girls and women's sport, as there is plenty of ovals, club rooms for boys and men but NONE for the female sector. 740. It would be fantastic to be the sports centre of Melbourne outside of the Melbourne CBD. Darebin is excellent at doing these great ideas. 741. Mayer park is a housing area, the streets are narrow, the council knows this, there will be nowhere for people to park. Please leave Mayer park as a dog park. 742. I think this is a fantastic idea. I live in the area and use indoor court facilities at least once a week on my own and/or with friends, plus I play basketball competitively two nights a week but have to travel to Albert park MSAC for that. I'd welcome an indoor stadium in my area and I know it would only do good for the community as a whole. 743. There are a number of existing clubs who need a lot of attention and resources from the council. Why aren't you addressing the needs of existing club instead of building some stadium that will win flashy political points? 744. Merri Park would be an Ideal location for the Stadium because it can be easily accessed by the vast majority of Darebin residents. It is extremely accessible via the 112 Tram, it is a 10-minute walk from two South Morang Line stations, a 15-minute walk from High Street and the 86 Tram, and also very well accessible for local cyclists that use the St. George's bike path and the Merri Creek trail. This will encourage users of the facility to use environmentally-efficient forms of transport and reduce the amount of otherwise unnecessary car trips, which incidentally would also be convenient. The existing expansive parkland is of poor standard for local outdoor field sports like all football codes and cricket, and there are already social court sport competitions held on Northcote High School's facilities. The existing baseball facilities are used minimally and would only benefit from the extra capacity the new facility will undoubtedly bring. Further, by placing such a facility with close access to Northcote High will increase the school's prestige among secondary schools in Victoria, and perhaps the integration with Northcote's existing facilities would make an efficient use of space and taxpayer's funds. Public amenity to nearby residents would not be severely diminished due to the size Merri Park, as well as its integration with other nearby parks straddling the Merri Creek. The Council must also consider the opportunity cost associated with placing such a facility at other parks. Beyond DISC, rectangular sports codes (such as soccer and rugby) have access to poor facilities that are grossly inadequate for the populous and diverse Darebin community.
Placing such a facility elsewhere that will diminish the ability for the local clubs to cater for the community's ever-growing needs. As an example, Soccer is the highest-growing organised sport for both junior boys and girls as well as for men and women; however outside of the frequently over-booked DISC there are only two facilities south of Bell Street. This sport needs more (and better quality) facilities. By placing such a stadium that results in a reduction of facilities that cater for these sports (which are already inadequate) will penalise the community. Sincerely, A social netball and soccer player, but above all a life-long Darebin resident. 745. I live in Darebin. Sports facilities help to develop community values. Important to provide activities for children/youth in the area. 746. Anything the councils can do to promote increased activity in any demographic is extremely useful. 747. Do not take away an existing green space for the proposed stadium. As it would be a short sighted decision to build the stadium at the expense of green space. I'm sure the "green" Councillors in the council would concur. 748. Please build a basketball stadium for the thousands of kids involved in basketball clubs in the inner North, inner East and northern suburbs. And please build some outdoor basketball courts that make young people feel safe and welcome. So few sites at the moment for friends to play and practice. Too many people are intolerant of young people -especially teenage boys - getting together & enjoying themselves by just shooting baskets! 749. I live close to Mayer Park and would be thrilled if this site was chosen. This sort of facility is much needed in Darebin and would be undoubtedly be very well used by participants in sporting events and spectators. It would be a great community focal point and a showcase for Darebin, as well as encouraging greater participation in sports by many - especially among the numerous children and young people who live in the area. Mayer Park is ideal as it is a huge space in a central location in a part of Darebin which currently has very little community facilities such as pools etc. From the plans it looks like there would still be enough space left for dog walkers etc to continue their use of the area. The adjacent golf course would benefit too from increased traffic leading perhaps to more people using its facilities. The green space of the golf course would offset the loss of green space in the park. A great proposal.
Multi Sport Stadium Written Comments Vol 2 (21-09-15) (VIC 2015) - 21 September 2015 64 Commercial in Confidence. SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net