By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has released the final proposed McIvor Reserve Master Plan document.
The draft plan was adopted by council in November, with a final decision slated as part of a special council meeting on Tuesday, March 29 at 6.30pm at the Braybrook Community Hub.
Across all engagement activities, Maribyrnong council received a total of 4017 comments from 753 respondents across a variety of engagement activities seeking feedback on more than two dozen proposed improvements.
While most respondents approved the plan’s inclusion of public toilets, more activation spaces, more lighting, shade, seating and improved drainage for the dog park and sports fields, the potential impact on green space, trees and the existing dog park were the main issues raised.
According to Maribyrnong council, the proposed six-court indoor sports centre would occupy 0.6 hectares of open space, which represents 3.3 per cent of the 18.5 hectares which makes up the reserve.
While the draft plan initially proposed a 50 per cent decrease in the size of the existing dog park, the council said the final plan has been adjusted to a 17.6 per cent reduction, providing a dog park of about 7500 square metres.
Friends of McIvor Reserve has lodged a formal complaint with the Victorian Ombudsman against the council, citing poor engagement and lack of transparency, and made a formal request to the Local Government Minister Melissa Horne for the appointment of a municipal monitor.
Friends of McIvor Reserve spokesperson Miles Miles Parnall-Gilbert said the group remained hopeful the council would reject the proposal.
“Oversight by a municipal monitor is needed to ensure deliberative governance and preserve natural justice,” he said.
Friends of McIvor Reserve member Di Ferrara said she believed the council had repeatedly refused to answer clear questions from the community.
“The arrogance of this Councils is really hard to swallow,” she said.
“They are not following the wishes of the constituents.”
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/mcivor
