THE popular pop-up park concept trialled in Yarraville over the past two years may be rolled out to other suburbs despite tensions over the initiative.
Maribyrnong council’s city development committee last night considered whether to pursue a plan for similar projects in West Footscray, Footscray and Maribyrnong.
A council report found pop-up installations are being used to breathe life into spaces where it may be difficult to make permanent changes.
A detailed survey of Yarraville traders will also be undertaken following conflict over whether or not the initiative should return to Ballarat Street, the site of the $190,000 trials.
An April 2012 survey showed 56 per cent of Yarraville traders were happy with the project and 24 per cent unhappy.
A report to last night’s meeting noted concerns the council-funded activity was not benefiting all traders.
“Several wrote letters complaining about the negative impact the project was having on those further away from the pop-up site.”
The detailed trader survey in Yarraville would seek feedback on a permanent versus temporary park, roaming locations to ensure equity across the village, and support levels for trader groups funding and managing ongoing pop-up activities.
Last week, the council received two petitions related to the Yarraville pop-up park – one with 30 signatories in support, the other with 23 signatories opposing it.
A Facebook page set up last week called “Do We Want The Pop Up Park Back?’’ has attracted almost 1000 ‘‘likes’’ and hundreds of comments in support.
If adopted, the three new pop-up sites over the next three years would be ‘‘parklets’’ in Barkly Village parking bays in West Footscray, on the Paisley Street car park in Footscray, and in the form of a kiosk and art space on the Maribyrnong River near Coulson Gardens in Maribyrnong. Detailed costings are yet to be prepared.
