Parents at logger heads with Boroondara Council over park proposal

An inner east council has been accused of putting the needs of its staff ahead of children living in the area, as parents campaign for a huge concrete carpark to be turned into much-needed open space.

Parents are battling to have a carpark outside Boroondara Council’s Camberwell offices turned into parkland, but the council says more details are needed before it will consider the proposal.

Father of two Victor Franco said parks in Camberwell were in short supply and children were in desperate need of space to play.

Generations of children grew up playing at the carpark, which was originally open space until the council turned it into parking in 2010, he said.

And about 2000 people had signed a petition to reinstate the park, called Camberwell Green, but he said councillors refused to meet with him to discuss the plan, and he slammed the council for putting the needs of its staff ahead of children.

“It (the carpark) is virtually 100 per cent used by council employees … we get fined if we park there,” he said.

Victor Franco says children such as his sons, twins Pascal and Joaquim, 9, don’t have open space to play in Camberwell. Picture Norm Oorloff

“Council manage the land on behalf of the State Government, and they’re supposed to be managing it in the community’s best interest.

“We want the State Government to push for this and give the land back to the community.”

Camberwell Sharks football club spokesman Lyle Meaney said students at Camberwell Primary School across the road were hard pressed to find space to play, including his own children who attended the school.

The school’s small footprint meant there was little land for students to run around, and Camberwell Green was needed to instil within them a healthy, active lifestyle.

Historian and resident Dr Bryony Cosgrove, who is a committee member for the Camberwell Historical Society, said the land was earmarked for public recreational space in the 1800s.

She said turning the site into a park would benefit the whole community and return the carpark to its intended use.

Mr Franco said the Reserve Rd carpark in Camberwell was used almost exclusively by council staff. Picture Norm Oorloff

Southern Metropolitan Labor MP Nina Taylor said she was “unequivocal” in her support of Camberwell Green and high density development meant open space was more vital than ever.

Hawthorn state Labor MP John Kennedy said the area had a wealth of public transport options and he’d encourage council staff to consider using those rather than driving to work.

Junction Ward councillor Jack Wegman said Camberwell Green supporters needed to be “more transparent” about their proposal by providing the council with further information.

He said it was “disingenuous” for anyone to claim the council did not wish to engage with the community, and he flagged the park proposal could result in the closure of Reserve Rd.

Council staff noted chief executive Phil Storer and Cr Wegman had met with residents face-to-face to discuss the proposal.

But repeated requests by the council for information, including how the park would be paid for and maintained, had not received a response.

MORE: TRAM STOP TO RISE FROM ASHES — WITH ONE PROBLEM

COUNCIL’S $129M CUSTOMER SERVICE REVAMP GETS GREEN LIGHT

RATEPAYERS LEFT WITH HUGE CLEAN-UP BILL

Staff also noted the carpark was jointly used by Camberwell Primary School, council employees and members of the community, though community members were restricted to a two hour parking limit during business hours while staff could park all day.

And the council managed the land in accordance to its intended purpose, which was for a carpark or children’s playground according to a 1969 Government Gazette notice.

State Government spokeswoman Jamila Fontana said the council was responsible for the site and she encouraged it to consult with the community to determine how it should be used.

Information provided by her office noted the State Government could not compel the council to turn the carpark into open parkland.