Hopes that all of the former Sunvale Primary School site would be turned into a community park have been dashed, after a private developer bought the eastern section for $4.2 million.
Last week’s sale has disappointed open-space campaigners, coming after the state Ombudsman agreed to investigate claims the tender process for the 0.8-hectare parcel of land was flawed.
Earlier this year, Brimbank council paid more than $3 million for the 1.1-hectare western section, which will be turned into a community park.
Save Sunvale campaigner John Hedditch said the community was devastated.
In a letter to Premier Denis Napthine, Sunshine mother Rachel Cooper said it was a tragedy the whole site could no longer be used as a community park.
“We write to you as a last resort because we feel our voice is not being heard,” she said. ‘‘Sunshine has very limited open green space.’’
The Treasury Department has demanded that Save Sunvale remove 20 planter boxes and several trees which it says were planted by group members during a recent working bee.
“No authorisation was sought from or given by the landowner,” a letter to the group read.
“[The department] understands that the Save Sunvale group … is promoting further working bees on the site. The Save Sunvale group is requested to cancel any unauthorised future activities concerning the site.”
But Mr Hedditch told the department no trees had been planted by the group.
“Before sending the letter, someone from your office should have lifted their backside off the seat, walked outside the ivory tower and actually had a look at what has been done.”
Asked how the Education Department could sell the land while an Ombudsman’s investigation was under way, a government spokesman said it had acted fairly. “The government has acted appropriately,” he said.
“Now that the site has been sold, the government has encouraged the Save Sunvale group to remove its works, cease unauthorised activities on the site and engage with council in its development of a community park on the western portion.”
