ECOLOGICAL
This land has high intrinsic value due to it’s position at the meeting point of two linear open space and wildlife corridors. To allow it to become anything other than public open space would be an opportunity lost for ever and would contradict Melbourne 2030 policy 5.7 “to ensure major open space corridors are protected and enhanced”.

OPEN SPACE
Retention of this land as public open space is fully supported by Melbourne 2030 policy 5.6 “to ensure long-term protection of public open space”

Regards, Robert.

It was great to attend the public meeting yesterday and witness the passionate and varied view points. i learnt alot about the cause and gained a stronger sense of the people who make up the community of the Merri & Edgars Creek Parlkland.

I parted with some clear ideas of what my family and I could do to help the cause. My 4 year old daughter has begun a project of her own…so we have some work ahead of us all.

After the meeting I spoke with one of your members and mentioned a community website about Melbourne’s freshwater places and people, which I have created…just to let you kow, I have posted a notice on the site about MECPG’s activities. Here’s the link to the Edgars Creek page for your reference…

http://www.freshwater.net.au/nature/about_edgars_creek.htm

I have also added MECPG to the friends groups & NGO listings & freshwater directory.

Environment Vic will be promoting the freshwater website via their next ‘Healthy Rivers Bulletin’, which has 750+ subscribers…so hopefully the news about MEC parkland will reach some new ears.

Kind regards,

Aliey Ball
e: alieyball@freshwater.net.au
p: PO Box 720 Newlands Estate LPO Coburg VIC 3058
m: 0407 132 560
w: http://www.freshwater.net.au

Thanks for the feedback on the meeting - glad you were able to make it and support the retention of public land! A new page with the relevant contact details has now been added in the menu on each page. Your second point will be explored further at the next committee meeting.

Thankyou for the meeting today. The information and vigourous discussion certainly improved my understanding of the issue.

I’m a local living in Golf Rd - as I write this comment, I’m looking over the very land which is under threat. One of the prime reasons we bought where we did was the abundance of local parkland - it must be protected.

Christine Campbell has clealy made a valuable contribution to the campaign and must continue her good work. However, I tend to agree with Phil Cleary. Some may accuse Phil of grandstanding - but he does have a way of getting to the heart of the issue and holding everyone accountable. Yes, this community should have a lot of political capital and it is time to call in the debt. As important as it is to know how the system is working for or against us, there’s no need to adopt a machiavellian strategy to inch forwards. Since the arguments here are clear and solid, we (and our political reps) must argue assertively in a manner that reflects this clarity.

Several minor suggestions:

(1) Could we have email links to each of the pollies you would like us to contact?

(2) One way or the other, I think the list of arguments should make reference to the Melbourne 2030 plan - either the proposed sell off is not consistent with the plan, or the plan doesn’t adequately cover situations such as this.

Thanks again. I’m happy to help where/when possible.

Regards,

Peter Hodge.