Merri-bek council’s Coburg North Sports Hub draft redevelopment plans slammed

An “iconic” athletics track used by Olympic legends and thousands of school kids is under threat, with furious locals accusing an inner-city council of “destroying” it.

Merri-bek council has been slammed over proposed athletics hub plans. Picture: Himangi Singh.

One of Victoria’s oldest athletics clubs — along with a popular kids’ athletics group — is fighting to save their home turf, accusing an inner-city council of proposing changes they say would “destroy” an “iconic” athletic track.

A draft masterplan to revamp the Harold Stevens Athletic Track in Coburg North by Merri-bek council — a site once graced by Olympic legends Raelene Boyle and Peter Norman would see the synthetic track torn up in favour of a grass one and the transformation of the site into a shared multi-sport hub.

The Coburg Harriers, founded in 1896, has called the athletic track its home since 1971. Coburg Little Athletics is also based at the track since 1966. Picture: Supplied.

But furious athletes and parents from Coburg Little Athletics and Coburg Harriers say the plan would gut the sport’s future in the area.

Parent Anthony Zaita said he was “devastated” by the proposed plans for a grass track as it was not “feasible and safe” for kids to run on, “let alone disabled kids”.

He also said turning the track into a shared space for multiple sports would be unsafe.

“I would not allow my child to run on the track if there’s a cricket game which occurs during the same season,” he said.

“Could you imagine a cricket ball being hit and hitting one of these kids as they’re running around?” he said.

Under Merri-bek Council’s new proposed draft masterplan for the Coburg North Sports Hub, the existing synthetic track would be replaced with a grass-based athletics track and new shared sports pavilion would also be built.

Mr Zaita said council had not given forethought for the provision of javelin, discus and shot put or the safety required for them.

“We just want an appropriate track that’s safe to compete on,” he said.

Parent Chris Porter said the proposed plans did not “meet the needs of athletics at all”.

“A grass track, from our perspective, does not suit the needs of a modern day athletics track,” he said.

Mr Porter also said the plan had “no indication of space” for all the other activities including high jump, shot put, discus, javelin.

“We use the track seven days a week effectively, between us and our other co tenants, which is the Harriers,” he said.

The Harold Stevens Athletic Track in Coburg North draws more than 15,000 participants each year for meets, school sports and community carnivals. Picture: Himangi Singh.

“We need designated areas for those events to take place … it would be really hard for us to run our normal competition there (if the proposed plans are approved).

“I just don’t think athletics has been given the appropriate forethought.”

Locals say a grass-based track is not good enough for athletes. Picture: Himangi Singh.

An online petition has attracted more than 615 signatures in just a week.

The petition states replacing the synthetic track with grass would be a “huge step backwards” for the sport, arguing it would “preclude wheelchair athletes from training and competing” and undermine the need for a fully accessible, fit-for-purpose facility.

Parents say the proposed plan would hinder on activities like high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin. Picture: Supplied.

Coburg Little Athletics president Peter Leahy said it would be “exceedingly difficult” for a “multi-class athlete” to compete on grass.

“A grass track will have certain implications with child and parental safety in the mornings, when live athletics is on the grass and is wet — there will be accidents with hurdles, long jump, high jump, you name it,” he said.

“A glass track will need to be outlined each and every single week. The grass will need to be mowed. So there is additional expenses that are going to be bored by the clubs.”

An online petition to “save” upgrade and enhance the Coburg Athletics Track and Field Precinct has attracted more than 615 signatures in just a week.

Merri-bek council mayor Helen Davidson said the council had worked with and listened to a wide range of sporting clubs and community members to create the draft Coburg North Sports Hub Masterplan.

“The Coburg North Sports Hub is a great facility but we could be making better use of the space to provide better sporting facilities for more of our community members,” she said.

“This draft masterplan proposes changes to the site that would allow more clubs to use the site more often, with facilities that better suit their needs, as well as opening it up for community use.”

Merri-bek City Council Mayor Helen Davidson. Picture: Suppled/Facebook.

Ms Davidson said there would “always be a place for athletics” at the Coburg North Sports Hub and said she “invited” the club to provide their feedback through the consultation process.

The council’s draft vision — which is yet to be endorsed for construction with community consultation still underway — also includes an upgraded LED lighting and a recreational synthetic loop track for walking.

Pascoe Vale state Labor MP Anthony Cianflone said the draft plans “shamefully” proposed to “ultimately remove the iconic and dedicated” Coburg Athletics Track and Field Precinct.

“This proposal and council’s draft plan has essentially been received by the local community like a shot-put to the face, a discus to the back of the head and like a javelin straight through the heart,” he said.

State Labor MP for Pascoe Vale Anthony Cianflone. Picture: Supplied/X

“No dedicated athletic track and field facilities is a huge step backwards for local athletics across the north, especially for kids.

“(It would also) mean dozens of schools from across Merri-bek and the northern suburbs will tragically have to look elsewhere to hold their annual athletics carnival.”

The draft plan is available for more community feedback until May 11.

To take a look and have your say, click here.