By Mikayla van Loon
As plans move forward to build the new station car park in Belgrave, relocating commuter parking to Upwey has been a contentious issue.
Land owned by the State government and used by Upwey High School to the left of the football oval at Upwey Recreation Reserve is the proposed site for a 172 space car park, which has now been approved.
Although noted as a temporary solution to the parking problem while Belgrave station is under construction, it would be a permanent fixture in the reserve to the benefit of the high school.
Councillor Catherine Burnett-Wake said works at this site also include the redevelopment of the oval for Upwey High School and Upwey Primary School.
“It should be noted that the car park proposed is temporary in nature and will only be operational during the construction of the Belgrave railway station car park,” she said.
“After it’s decommissioned, it will be converted to other uses attached to the schools. Netball, hockey and soccer courts have been proposed for future use.”
During the building phase 15 trees will be removed, including indigenous stringybark and blackwoods, as well as exotic trees like loquat and liquidambar.
Robert Shepherd spoke on behalf of the 27 objectors who submitted concerns relating to the negative impact on the community and the lack of communication between the applicant, VicTrack, and the community.
“The supporting submissions of this proposal cite the net community benefit. The high school and VicTrack will clearly benefit from this proposal,” he said.
“Though the community, including many families that attend the school, are supportive of the school seeking to improve the facilities for its students, there is no net benefit for the wider community.”
One of the major objections from local residents was the traffic modelling that was undertaken by engineering and construction consultant GHD during Covid-19.
GHD conducted the traffic surveys in February and used 2020 data of the Mast Gully Road and Burwood Highway intersection to compare traffic volumes.
“Traffic volumes on Burwood Highway at this intersection on the day of the survey totalled 19,262 which indicates that observed were close to the 2020 peak daily flow and not impacted by COVID-19,” the report stated.
Mr Shepherd said the current Belgrave station car park is only a fifth full on any given day, with more people working from home and he doesn’t believe this has been taken into consideration.
He also said the report does not consider the potential use of Upper Ferntree Gully and Ferntree Gully train stations.
This area is also used as a flood plain for the nearby Ferny Creek, soaking up excess water during the winter months.
“The plan for 5000 square meters of paved car park and increased water shedding from the … will put at least half a million liters of additional rainwater into the creek each month during winter, and summer storms can add almost this much in a single day,” Mr Shepherd said.
“This dramatically increases the risk of flooding to the bowls club, which already has a history of flooding and to residential properties downstream of the stormwater outlet.”
Councillor Johanna Skelton said while yes, the proposal has been approved by the planning department, there are still items that need to be provided to the council to meet its satisfaction.
“Melbourne water will still need to sign off and look at the flooding assessment and they’ll need to do further assessments,” she said.
Issues around hooning, safety, security and the change in zoning from education space to public space were also concerns raised by Mr Shepherd.
Cr Burnett-Wake tried to alleviate those concerns by stating that CCTV cameras would be installed and all surrounding pathways and fencing that are proposed for the design would be temporary, until the car park is decommissioned.
“This is a beloved space and in fact, it’s one that I use with my family on a regular basis,” she said.
“I note there are concerns that this location may not have been considered enough. However, I want to let residents know that this application has been considered, due process has been followed.”
As much as it was about the lack of communication with residents as stakeholders and the safety concerns, Mr Shepherd said it is also about another green, open, recreational space being developed.
“Local residents and the wider community will no longer be able to freely use the reserves they do now and will have to compete with other groups for half of the currently available recreation space,” he said.
Mr Shepard said Thompson Reserve is used by people of all ages and abilities and with “decades of community use it has developed a firm place in the hearts and minds of residents and locals.”
Yarra Ranges Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation at the 12 October council meeting.
