Liz Dalgliesh, little Lana and Hugo enjoyed the open space in Sunshine last week but the patch of land is under threat. 72679 Picture: EMILY LANE
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
CONCERNED Sunshine residents banded together last weekend in a bid to halt the rezoning of a patch of land close to Kororoit Creek owned by Melbourne Water.
Melbourne Water has applied to Brimbank Council to rezone the land at the end of Fraser St in Sunshine from a ‘Public Open Space/Public Use Zone’ classification to Residential 1 so it could be sold as residential development.
However residents are adamant to keep the land as public space and are calling on the council to develop the site into something which will benefit the community.
Fraser St resident Beverley Aird said the meeting last Sunday was a chance for residents to meet one another and discuss their concerns.
Ms Aird said it also gave residents who weren’t aware of the issue to become more informed.
“Everyone is horrified,” the long-time Sunshine resident said.
“We need the council to be on our side.”
She said despite what Melbourne Water and Brimbank Council believe, it is not just a piece of land that has been neglected by residents but rather a spot where children often play, where dogs are walked or where a games of cricket are played.
Residents were prepared to fight for the cause, she added.
“Some people think we don’t have a voice, but surely everyone has a voice.
“There is a united front of residents, this isn’t a political matter.”
Local advocate Geraldine Brooks said the area should be beautified and redeveloped for local school children to utilise. And she said having to fight to save parkland wasn’t something new to Brimbank residents.
“It’s not new to have to fight to protect our local amenities,” Ms Brooks said.
“Why not put some attractive landscaping or a playground?
“There are a myriad of opportunities for that spot.
“It smacks of some bureaucrat sitting in an office and looking at a map and thinking this could be perfect for housing.”
Green MLC Colleen Hartland said the area had very few good quality parklands and said residents were determined to fight against any potential rezoning.
“There’s a lot of feeling among residents,” Ms Hartland said.
“Everyone is really passionate about the issue.”
On 5 July Brimbank Council’s Planning Committee resolved to prepare and exhibit the amendment for Melbourne Water subject to a satisfactory environmental site assessment.
In late July, Melbourne Water advised adjoining occupants about soil sampling work to take place on the site.
Once the work is completed it is expected that an environmental site assessment report will be submitted to the council for review and then publicly exhibited.
