Call to donate Coburg North parkland
Tessa Hoffman, Moreland Leader, 07 June 2010
A taskforce set up to investigate the future of the Merri-Edgars Creek parklands has recommended the site be given to Moreland Council.
It is now up to Planning Minister Justin Madden to decide whether to ask VicRoads to gift the 10ha parklands, in Coburg North, bought in the 1970s for an abandoned freeway.
The council and residents have for years asked for the land to be handed over.
The Edgars Creek Taskforce, set up last November to investigate the issue, was chaired by Pascoe Vale state Labor MP Christine Campbell.
Its report - handed to Mr Madden in April and made public last week- found a “strong case for the application of exceptional circumstances under Victoria’s Disposal of Surplus Land policy”.
It found Moreland’s comparatively low percentage of open space “emphasised the need to retain the land as public open space”.
Ms Campbell said it was now up to Mr Madden to request Roads Minister Tim Pallas to deviate from policy and give the land to the council.
Taskforce member and spokesman for Merri & Edgars Creeks Parkland Group Travis Cox said he hoped Mr Madden would move swiftly.
Government spokesman Chris owner said: “The Minister for Planning is considering the report and will determine the course of action in the future.”
from http://moreland-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/call-to-donate-coburg-north-parkland/