John Setka: CFMEU announce green ban on McIvor Reserve masterplan project
One of Australia's biggest unions has walked away from a proposed Yarraville stadium project, leaving its future in limbo.
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One of Australia’s biggest unions has walked away from a proposed stadium in Yarraville, leaving the much-needed centre’s future up in the air.
The CFMEU announced a green ban on Maribyrnong City Council’s proposed indoor stadium plans with six courts at McIvor Reserve.
The union is concerned the project will remove too much from the site — including 163 trees — in one of Victoria’s worst areas for green space.
“The Bradmill Precinct development site will inject thousands of residents into the area, but the council is proposing to reduce access to open space in the surrounding area,” the union’s secretary, John Setka, said.
The green ban is a pledge from the union that its workers will not work on the construction at McIvor Reserve.
It comes after the Yarraville Footscray Bowls Club rejected the council’s plans for the project in recent weeks.
According to the original plans, the stadium would have been mainly in the bowls club’s area, forcing it to shut for at least two years.
The council did not answer whether the CFMEU’s decision would impact the timeline of the project. It would also not answer whether the Yarraville Footscray Bowls club’s rejection of the masterplan impacted the project.
Council chief executive Celia Haddock confirmed a new date for the McIvor Reserve masterplan vote.
“Council will be presented with a report to consider on March 29 regarding the final McIvor Reserve masterplan, which will reflect feedback received in the most recent phase of engagement in late 2022,” she said.
The Friends of McIvor Reserve group protested at the February 21 meeting that the original date was not enough time to be across the final plans for the project alongside a petition of 3100 people to not build the stadium.
The project will be decided on Tuesday, March 29 at 6.30pm at the Braybrook Community Hub.
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