Plans for Phillip Island recreation reserve revealed, one group want more space

A pool, sports fields, tennis courts and Phillip Island’s first ever dog park are part of plans released by council this week, but not everyone is happy. Read why.

Plans for the recreation reserve in Cowes.

An exciting project for Phillip Island is a step closer to being realised with the release of draft plans for the recreation reserve.

The plans – including a pool, sporting fields, tennis and netball courts, a little athletics field and events space – have been on the community’s wish list for years, with the land on the corner block of Phillip Island Rd and Ventnor Rd slated for the project.

The plans were this week released for community consultation and while largely welcomed, the Phillip Island Dog Association (PIDA) is disappointed with the proposed size of the island’s first and only dog park.

Site for the Phillip Island recreation reserve.

The draft plans show it would be less than half the size of the football oval planned for the site.

PIDA president Cheryl Owens said the park needed to be at least two acres and also needed to include amenities for both dogs and their owners.

“We don’t want another paddock of nothing,” she said.

The masterplan does note the inclusion of agility equipment, bench seating and water points in the park.

The park is planned to be divided to include a section for smaller dogs and an area for dog obedience training.

Ms Owens said these were essential features to include considering the demographic of Phillip Island and those likely to use the park the most.

“A good portion of our population is elderly,” Ms Owens said.

“They are scared to walk their dogs on the beach so they would use it but only if there was a separate area for small dogs. They also need seating … we are talking about retirees.”

But Ms Owens said the idea for the park was great, but the size was the issue.

According to her, it would be easy to extend the size of the dog park if some of the revegetation area was sacrificed.

“We have plenty of green spaces on Phillip Island,” she said.

“We need the recreation space.

“Big dogs need to run … really run.”

Council has received 11 submissions about the plans so far, with four related to the dog park.

Ms Owens noted that it was important for council to get the plans right now to ensure the amenities could keep up with the island’s growing population.

She understood everyone wanted “more space” but said a dog park needed to be a priority for the island’s many dog owners.

She felt this need should be prioritised over “green space” the region already has an abundance of and hoped council would take PIDA’s views into account.

“Our council is really behind other councils in providing facilities for dogs,” she said.

“And [if] they want to relieve pressure on the beaches, then this is one way to do it.”

Council will host three drop in sessions for residents before consultation ends on May 17.

People can also submit their feedback online.