Tara Murray
Residents’ requests that a multi-purpose sports facility be built as part of a new development in Cairnlea will be passed onto Development Victoria.
As reported by Star Weekly, a group of residents are calling for a planned development of the former Albion Explosives Site to not be signed off until further consultation and investigations are held.
Residents and Brimbank council have expressed concerns over the planned development of the 41-hectare site on Ballarat Road, which has been set aside to create a new residential neighbourhood.
Brimbank council has been informed that Development Victoria has requested that Planning Minister Richard Wynne becomes the planning and responsible authority for the development and Amendment C222 to the Brimbank Planning Scheme.
Councillor Victoria Borg raised a notice of motion on Tuesday night, which was supported, calling on the council to write to Development Victoria advising them that the council has received requests from Cairnlea residents that a multi-purpose sports facility be included at the proposed development.
Currently the proposal includes two soccer pitches, which will only be available for public use 25 per cent of the time.
“This proposal has created a lot of dissatisfaction and anger amongst the community, there is a strong need for a diversity in sports facilities” she said.
“There are already two soccer pitches just one kilometre east from the proposal site. In addition, it can be argued there is also an issue of equity and access with regards to soccer.
“Soccer is an expensive sport and not financially viable to many members of the community, soccer is also limited to a particular cohort of the population.
“There is obviously a need for multi multi-sport facility that caters for various ages.
“Research shows there are low rates of physical activity in Brimbank and a multi purpose sports facility at Cairnlea will provide opportunities for members of the community to engage themselves in healthy activities, rather going to the pokies venue which is located within walking distance of the site.”
Cr Sarah Branton and Cr Virginia Tachos, who both supported Cr Borg’s comments, said the community had been consistent in their calls for the sports facility to cater fro everyone.
