By Kerri-Anne Mesner
ERRINGTON Reserve has been replaced by Cairnlea Park as one of the five “district parks” to be redeveloped by Brimbank City Council.
The council last week adopted the much-anticipated Creating Better Parks – Brimbank Open Space and Playground Policy and Plan (Creating Better Parks).
The policy and plan assigns a hierarchy level for each existing park in Brimbank and identifies locations for new playgrounds.
The draft policy and plan was released for community feedback in December and four community workshops were held across the city and attended by more than 150 residents.
Brimbank mayor Sam David said that as a result of the consultation process and submissions from the community, the council had decided to change one of the future district parks from Errington Reserve in St Albans to Cairnlea Park in Cairnlea.
“This decision recognises that Errington Reserve is required for long-term sporting use and is home to junior sporting clubs vital to the local community,” Cr David said.
“It is also recognises that the population within the central area of the municipality requires equitable access to a district park, and Cairnlea Park was the perfect choice. This park already has many aspects of a district park.”
Cairnlea Residents Association spokesman Jason Rooth said the Cairnlea community, while not worried the park was not identified as a district park in the draft plan, were pleased with the outcome.
He said the community hoped the recategorisation of the park might mean all-abilities play equipment would be installed at the facility.
The final Creating Better Parks policy and plan also includes minor additions from the draft, including Tom O’Brian Reserve in Sunshine, which has been added as a suburban park to replace Kevin Wheelahan Gardens in Sunshine (now to be a neighbourhood park).
It also will investigate:
• Additional car-parking options for Cliff Harvey Lagoon Reserve District Park;
• Expanding the sustainability policy statement to make reference to best-practice and water-sensitive urban design and the establishment of robust, drought-tolerant landscapes, while maintaining colour and character;
• Expanding the policy statement section on safety to include statements in relation to park design, park quality, community involvement and regulations.
The plan earmarks the following of initiatives the council anticipates will be completed in the 2008-2009 financial year including the five future district parks.
It also includes 26 suburban parks, 89 neighbourhood parks and 25 new playgrounds (seven of which are being developed throughout the municipality).
