By Alesha Capone
A HOBSONS Bay councillor has declared a former municipality official would be “turning in his grave” at a proposal to convert a reserve, named after him, into a soccer training facility.
Two weeks ago Star reported more than 200 residents have signed a petition opposing an Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan suggestion to develop S Fell Reserve “into a designated sports field”.
The plan, which is open for public comment, proposes creating “a junior soccer facility incorporating small sided games pitch and training pitch with training lights only” and transplanting the Millers Rd Rose Garden to a different spot.
Worried residents have formed the Noordenne Estate Action Group and said many nearby households were not informed of the council’s plans.
At last week’s Hobsons Bay council meeting, Councillor Peter Hemphill said “looking at the extraordinary amount of letterboxing going on” the council appeared to be “in damage control”.
The reserve was named after Altona City’s second Town Clerk, Sydney Fell, who served during the 1980s.
“As I understand we’ve heard from the widower of Syd Fell who seems to be opposed to what’s going on here,” Cr Hemphill said.
“In fact I’d suggest Syd Fell would probably be turning in his grave.”
Fellow Councillor Angela Altair said she did not know if she would support the removal of the rose garden or anything which encroached on public use of the reserve.
“I can understand how people from Noordenne estate might be a bit alarmed,” she said.
“It’s about time we gave the same respect to passive recreation as active recreation.”
Cr Tony Briffa said he was pleased residents have formed a group and are providing feedback on the plan.
An information session regarding the Altona Central Sports Precinct Plan will be held on Saturday 13th August from 10am-12pm at Fell Reserve, Millers Rd, Seaholme.
The draft plan can be seen at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au, Altona Library and the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.
