Hume Council wants adequate open space for former Broadmeadows school site
REDEVELOPMENT plans for the former Broadmeadows Primary School site must include a park the third of its size, Hume Council says.
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REDEVELOPMENT plans for the former Broadmeadows Primary School site must include a park the third of its size, Hume Council says.
The 2.16ha site at 2-16 Nicholas St, which has been deemed surplus land by the Education Department, is set to be sold for private and social housing.
The site is part of the State Government’s Inclusionary Housing Pilot to build up to 100 social housing properties across six sites in Melbourne.
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Council’s submission to the Government Land Standing Advisory Committee calls for a 0.75ha park given the neighbourhood lacks open space.
The park would run adjacent to the Meadowlink Community Park, which is due for construction this year.
The submission states while such a development may only ask for a 5 per cent open space requirement it isn’t enough.
Cr Karen Sherry said the park was “sustainably larger than the pocket park that the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning is proposing”.
“Council wants a substantial size park to improve walking and recreation outcomes for the neighbourhood.
“It would address the shortfall of public open space within walking distance of the surrounding residential area and provide opportunities to play and other recreational opportunities.”
Cr Sherry said the community was currently using the land as an unofficial Broadmeadows Reserve.
The site was bought by the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning after the closure of the primary school to support the delivery of Meadowlink, a 3.2km bicycle, pedestrian and open space link, and secure housing in Broadmeadows.
Mayor Geoff Porter said the council had been vigilant about exploring options for the project.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne will need to green light any development of the site.
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