The area of parkland sold in this article is not the parkland the MECPG is fighting for, but is only a couple of hundred metres down the road. Another loss of green space in the North Coburg area…
It further highlights the rapidity of green space loss within the Moreland area, and the keen hunger that developers would have for our flood-prone parkland!
This article authored by Mary Bolling originally appeared in the ‘Herald Sun’ 11 Apr 2008.Coburg residents are furious at a state government plan to sell off the suburb’s only parkland, while nearby developments are already squeezing thousands more residents into the area.
The 10ha of bushland between Merri and Edgars creeks, acquired in the 1970s for now-defunct freeway plans, is owned by VicRoads.
While VicRoads insists the land should be sold on the open market, Moreland Council say it has maintained the site for 30 years and should be given the land.
Moreland Mayor Joe Caputo said the open space was crucial for the community, as the municipality prepares to create room for an extra 15,000 people under the Melbourne 2030 planning document.
“Moreland doesn’t need development additional to (existing initiatives) … what it needs is public open space,” Cr Caputo said.
Moreland Council has been negotiating with VicRoads over the land’s future, but property services director Bernard Toulet has ruled out handing over the site for free.
“Government policy requires all surplus land be sold by public process at market value as assessed by the Valuer-General,” he said.
But Mr Toulet said council could buy the land at market value, estimated to be about $10 million.
Greg Carden, whose family lives next to the parkland, said the State Government needed to prove it was committed to Melbourne 2030 by making sure the land stayed in public hands.
“Once you sell parkland, you can’t get it back,” Mr Carden said.
“We’ve already got people flooding into Coburg.”
Moreland’s Cr Andrea Sharam said plans for 300 new units in the Coburg centre, as well as developments at the former Kodak site and at Pentridge, would increase demand for the bushland.
“We’ve put our effort in for Melbourne 2030 and now we’re incredibly anxious that this space could be lost,” Cr Sharam said.
Mr Carden called on the Government to take a stand on the site.
“The Government is distancing itself from the issue,” he said.
“They’re saying VicRoads is in negotiation with council, but the Planning Minister does have the ability to intervene.”
Cr Caputo said asking council to pay for the site would mean the residents had paid for it twice.
“Our community wants to continue riding bike tracks, practising golf swings and letting their kids play on its grass,” he said.
Eight MECPG members attended council meeting and asked questions:
MECPG also pointed out to Council that it should also be lobbying other Ministers not just Minister for Roads and Ports.
Greg represented the MECPG at a meeting with Council, Local MP Christine Campbell, VicRoads and Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas. Regrettably, no pledges to guarantee the parkland remains as open space for all to enjoy as a result but the issue is far from going away!
Yet another successful public awareness event at the Sydney Rd Street Festival yesterday. More than 350 members of the public supported our efforts and signed letters destined for the Ministers for Roads and Ports, Environment and Planning. Such strong opposition to the sale of the land cannot be ignored!