By Matthew Sims
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Victoria and Tasmania has pledged its members would not work at the site of proposed McIvor Reserve upgrade works, including the construction of a six-court sports stadium, as part of a green ban.
The council has proposed to build a six-court indoor sports centre and new recreation and leisure facilities among 31 proposed projects as part of the McIvor Reserve Draft Master Plan.
The draft plan was adopted by council in November, with a final report due to be tabled as part of a special council meeting on Tuesday, March 29 at 6.30pm at the Braybrook Community Hub.
The development would include the removal of an estimated 122 trees to make way for the stadium, and the closure of the Yarraville Footscray Bowling Club for the period of development.
However, documents have showed that additional planting would create a net gain of 33 trees across the reserve.
Last December, Maribyrnong council approved the first stage of the nearby Bradmill development, which would include the construction of 135 dwellings in the form of three and four-bedroom townhouses, between two and three storeys high, 272 off-street car parking spaces off-street, 82 on-street car parking spaces and a pocket park.
CFMEU secretary John Steka said the proposal the council was proposing the reduce access to open space in the area despite the introduction of the large housing development.
“The Bradmill Precinct Development site will inject thousands of residents into the area,” he said.
A petition from Friends of McIvor Reserve presented to council’s February 21 meeting was signed by more than 3100 people and requested council does not build the stadium and instead makes the preservation of open space a top priority and sets green space, open space and mature tree canopy targets.
Friends of McIvor Reserve spokesperson Miles Gilbert said Maribyrnong had the lowest amount of urban forestation and mature canopy.
“A mere 10 per cent of our city is open space,” he said.
“Given the clear ties between these metrics and mental and physical health and wellbeing, it would be short-sighted to build an indoor stadium on McIvor Reserve.
“We need to be planting more and paving less if we want to maintain the liveability of our city.”
Mr Gilbert said the group was “very happy” to receive support from the CMFEU for their opposition to the proposal.
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/mcivor
