Victorian Ombudsman gets complaints over Maribyrnong City Council

Angry residents battling plans for an indoor stadium in Maribyrnong have taken their fight against the local council to the Victorian Ombudsman.

Friends of McIvor Reserve do not want an indoor stadium built at the parkland. Picture: Supplied

A stoush over a controversial Maribyrnong indoor stadium has escalated after residents sought out intervention from the Victorian Ombudsman.

Friends of McIvor Reserve revealed recently it had reported Maribyrnong City Council to the Ombudsman over its handling of the McIvor Reserve Masterplan debate.

The Ombudsman confirmed it had received complaints about the council and would engage with the council as part of its inquiry into the matter.

Friends of McIvor said it had asked Local Government Minister Melissa Horne to install a municipal monitor to oversee the council due to, in its view, its “poor engagement” and “lack of transparency” over the McIvor Masterplan. However, a government spokesperson disputed that claim.

“There has been no request received regarding the appointment of a municipal monitor to Maribyrnong City Council,” they said.

Maribyrnong residents have become divided over the plans to have a stadium built at McIvor Reserve.

“Council‘s repeated refusal to answer clear questions from the community is unacceptable. Concerned residents deserve better than that from those to whom they pay rates,” resident Di Ferrara said.

“The arrogance of this council is really hard to swallow. They are not following the wishes of the constituents. They are a defiant Council.”

Resident Mark Baulch added: “Maribyrnong City Council is wilfully ignoring the community, refusing to answer our questions and trying to push a stadium off on us that we clearly do not want at this location, while stealing away precious parkland in the process.”

The council refused to comment on the complaints to the ombudsman or whether it would have an impact on the McIvor Reserve Masterplan vote.

“Council will be presented with a report to consider on 29 March regarding the final McIvor Reserve Master Plan, which will reflect feedback received in the most recent phase of engagement in late 2022,” the council’s chief executive Celia Haddock said.

The proposed vision as part of the McIvor Reserve masterplan project. Picture: Supplied

It comes after the Friends of McIvor group and councillors held a meeting at McIvor Reserve over the weekend.

The meeting became heated at points as residents quizzed councillors, including Mayor Sarah Carter, over the stadium, especially the impact on traffic and impact on green space.

The council released its final masterplan for the stadium which revealed the controversial indoor stadium to be a centrepiece of the project on Friday.

It has been recommended the council adopt the McIvor Reserve Masterplan and Ms Haddock advocates for funding from the state and federal level to help fund the $60m project.

While the council noted the opposition to the project, the “severe shortage” of indoor courts, some support for the stadium and the council’s “strategic objectives” meant it has been recommended stadium should proceed.

Miles Parnall-Gilbert said the stadium came as a result of “biased public engagement that seeks to justify council building in parkland”.

The McIvor Reserve Masterplan will be voted on March 29.