Moonee Valley Council’s bold plan for Flemington

A $65 million plan to rebuild a Flemington park with sports facilities, picnic areas, wetlands and more is on the cards. But a councillor says services would have to be axed to pay for it.

An artist’s impression of the three-storey community hub in Debney Park Flemington.

Cuts to childcare, aged care, and an increase in service costs may be on the cards for Moonee Valley ratepayers so the council can afford its ambitious upgrade of Debneys Park.

The upgrade of the Flemington precinct, including a community hub and sports facilities, will cost the council at least $65 million.

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The council has allocated $40 million in for the project in its capital works budget but is seeking $20 million of that in state or federal funding.

And that $40 million is only enough to cover the cost of the community hub, with another $25 million needed for: upgraded pedestrian and cycle paths, play spaces and picnic areas, outdoor sports infrastructure and wetlands and water features connected to Moonee Ponds Creek.

A community sports pavilion, indoor highball courts and a cafe with kitchen garden are included under the $40 million.

Three draft proposals by MGS Architects for the ‘Flemington Community @ Debneys Park’ upgrade have been released.

Option 2 for the community hub in Debneys Park.

A motion to release the three concept options for community consultation was carried last week, with councillor Samantha Byrne the only one to vote against the upgrade, citing a lack of funds in the council’s coffers.

“Do we cut child care, do we cut aged care, do we raise revenue, do we start charging more for services,” Cr Byrne said.

A snapshot of what the $40million hub could look like.

“Our budget is in such a position that I think it would be financially irresponsible to vote for this when we do not have the money allocated.”

Cr Byrne was also sceptical about the council being able to secure funding from the state government.

“We got $3 million for the East Keilor Leisure centre [from the government] and a $10 million loan for a $50 million project,” she said.

Councillor Nicole Marshall said the people of Flemington were “absolutely deserving” of the project.

The community hub is expected to cater to Flemington’s booming population that is forecast to almost double in the next 20 years. The Arden-Macaulay development area in Parkville, next to Debneys Park, will bring in 20,000 new residents who are likely to use the park and community hub given it’s proximity.

The existing sports pavilion and community centre are also falling into disrepair.

The appearance and activities of the park will be beautified with landscaping and new facilities.

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