Burwood-based soccer clubs booted from Gardiners Reserve

Soccer players have been booted off a $2.3m state of the art pitch in Burwood just months after it was built because of objections by a couple of neighbours.

The pristine soccer pitch at Gardiners Reserve is not getting much use despite being upgraded less than a year ago. Picture: Rob Leeson

Parents of players at a Burwood soccer club and community members fear a $2.3 million upgrade — paid for by ratepayers — is being wasted because of the objections from a couple of neighbours.

Mt Waverley City Soccer Club has been banned from playing Saturday afternoon matches on the synthetic pitch at Gardiners Reserve, while it and Sixth Ave neighbours Eastern Lions Soccer Club can only use it to train one night a week each. They can also use it during weekdays.

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Steve Britt, the father of a player, said: “We need some light shined on this to thrash it out and get a better outcome.

“And that outcome would simply be to run out their clubrooms and onto their pitch and play their games — that’s the ideal really.”

It was only last May that Monash Council proudly unveiled the FIFA certified one-star synthetic pitch, with the all-weather pitch needing less maintenance, watering and no preparation for the winter season.

The works also included fencing, coaches boxes, goals and pitch lighting which contain light spill to inside the reserve area.

It replaced an uneven pitch that sinkholes, uneven topography, limited grass and overuse brought training to a standstill.

Monash Leader understands the restrictions are in place due to complaints from one or two residents.

In a letter sent to Monash Leader, Rob Morrey said: “How can one neighbour stop the use of a facility that has been in use for over 50 years?”

“When I see children and parents deprived of the use of a facility like this, I feel compelled to speak out.”

While the clubs are banned, members of the public are free to use it at will and with no limitations.

Monash Mayor Shane McCluskey said there had been “a handful of complaints”, which included dogs on the synthetic pitch, reports of noise and anti-social behaviour and unauthorised use of the pitch.

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He said reasons for the temporary restrictions included the pitches being overused during the off season and the ground needing a rest, as well as the complaints.

“We are currently working with both tenant clubs of Gardiners Reserve with a view to developing a revised schedule that strikes a balance between clubs, community and residential amenity,” he said.

“The current allocation is temporary and expires at the end of March.

“We are trying to strike a balance between all users and the community.

“We anticipate both clubs will receive a greater allocation if they can work together with council and each other.”