By Peter Douglas
Yarra Ranges Council has paved the way for the further development of the lower oval at the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve.
Around 100 members of the Mount Evelyn Football Club were present at council’s 12 September meeting, held at the Montrose Town Centre, to support the club’s bid to develop the site so it can better accommodate its junior and women’s teams.
The development forms much of the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve Master Plan, which passed the council chambers after much debate, with some amendments attached.
The master plan will allow for the upgrades to the lower reserve which include erecting an electronic scoreboard and resurfacing the oval, as well as improved drainage so the club can gain access to the ground even in the event of heavy rainfall.
However, passing the draft plan was far from straightforward, with community representatives speaking both for and against the proposal.
President of the Mount Evelyn Junior Football Club, Mal Darke, said the plan was “well-balanced” and “reflected the community feedback” received after consultation.
He said the works were “urgent” and would have a significant positive impact on the community.
“Improvements to the lower oval are urgently needed to accommodate our junior players and provide training spaces supporting female players,” Mr Darke said.
“Clubs urgently require new clubrooms in-line with AFL requirements in order to accommodate female participation, without the inherent problems we’re currently experiencing with the ageing, outdated and gender-unfriendly facilities.
“This master plan provides essential improvement we require as clubs to continue to engage and retain our young people.
“We can sustain the teams we have, but desperately need the infrastructure.”
Though the value of sporting clubs was never in question, councillors Tim Heenan and Mike Clarke, in particular, believed more needed to be achieved through the plan.
Cr Heenan said he wouldn’t support the original draft plan.
“This site has significant ecological value … the proposed master plan needs to ensure that any intended works or activities are consistent with the legislative requirements and protection and enhancement of flora and fauna within this sight,” Cr Heenan said.
“Does this master plan achieve this? I believe it does not.”
Cr Clarke agreed the plan had fallen short.
“(It’s) not addressing everything the club really needs,” Cr Clarke said.
“I believe council needs to work a lot harder to help them … achieve the goals that they wish to achieve … particularly with the growth of the women’s game.
“I don’t feel like that environmental side has been adequately covered; in fact, it seems to be just more of the same.”
Cr Terry Avery said he wanted to ensure there was no significant run-off from the oval, which would adversely affect the nearby waterway.
In speaking against the plan, nearby resident and long-term Powerful Owl watcher, Clare Worsnop, reiterated her stance that developments at the lower reserve could adversely impact on the breeding habits of a pair of Powerful Owls.
Ms Worsnop called on the plan to be abandoned.
“It’s significant that for the 32 years I’ve lived here, these (Powerful Owls) have successfully raised young – until 2015 (when) they abandoned their nest … again in 2016 and 2017,” Ms Worsnop said.
“This coincides with the rapid expansion of the Mt Evelyn junior teams and the introduction of women’s football, resulting in longer training times and extra games … extra lights and noise.”
After much debate, Cr Len Cox introduced an amendment to the plan, which council eventually passed.
The amendment includes:
* All floodlights to be checked to prevent light-spill;
* That if works are to be completed, they need to be formed so there isn’t water run-off into the creek from the oval;
* Facilitating access to alternative sporting grounds to serve the long-term training needs of the junior and senior clubs;
* Extra tree planting along the north and north-eastern side of the netball courts, which will add density and reduce light-spill;
* The establishment of a reserve committee of management, which will include all key stakeholders;
* Any new grass type is to be determined in consultation with Melbourne Water, Yarra Ranges Council’s environment team and a sports turf specialist;
* The level of noise from the siren is to be further investigated by council officers and AFL Yarra Ranges.
