Petition hits 4000 as protest against plans to sell Nillumbik land ramp up

ANGRY people living in the “lungs of Melbourne” will protest against Nillumbik Council’s plan to sell 17 blocks to slash debt and fund seven community projects.

John Winked and Nerida Kirov with fellow protesters against the sale of land in Nillumbik. Picture: James Ross

ANGRY people living in the “lungs of Melbourne” will protest against Nillumbik Council’s plan to sell 17 blocks to slash debt and fund seven community projects.

Many hit out at the council’s plan, saying they’re carving up precious reserves rather than vacant blocks and had “over-committed” to community projects.

RELATED: 17 blocks of land in Nillumbik to go under the hammer

COMMENT BELOW: Do you support the land sales?

More than 4000 people have already signed a change.org petition to save community reserves.

Graham Fildes, who has lived in Eltham for decades, said two of the 17 parcels of land had public park and recreation zone overlays, which would need to be changed.

“These reserves are an integral part of housing areas which families regularly play, meet and exercise, (and) include pathways which allow connectivity to schools, childcare centres and other housing areas, as originally designed,” Mr Fildes said.

An artist’s impression of a possible development at the old Eltham Shire office site which council hopes to fund with some of the land sale money.

“Council appears to have over-committed themselves by indicating their intention to support other community projects without having the necessary funds available.

“The sale of precious land in the heart of our community will permanently change our neighbourhood character and must be resisted.”

Nerida Kirov, who has lived in Eltham for the past 55 years, was angry the council was “pitting residents against each other” with this plan. “It’s very wrong,” Ms Kirov said. “Nillumbik is the lungs of Melbourne, and by doing this, they’re going to eliminate that.”

The home studio of prominent Eltham chainsaw artist Leigh Conkie is adjacent to land.

The Yarra River flows through the site and he said he wanted the council to widen and deepen the river to prevent flooding. However, the council is now selling that land.

Mr Conkie said he had lost $10,000 worth of sculptures due to flooding and the council’s land sale plan was a “disaster”.

“We don’t want to be jam-packed with new developments because all it’s going to do is create a disaster of epic proportions,” he said.

Residents plan to protest at the old Eltham Shire office site on Sunday, March 4, at 11am.

Submissions to the council close at 5pm on March 12.

CLICK HERE if you want to sign the petition.

Chainsaw carver Leigh Conkie is angry with Nillumbik Council plans to sell land next to his property. Picture: Ellen Smith

FROM THE MAYOR

Letter to the Editor

NILLUMBIK residents are set to gain an extra 14.8ha in public open space.

The council wants to sell a number of vacant parcels of land scattered across the shire — collectively amounting to about 4ha.

Nillumbik Shire Council is buying 19.5ha of land to extend the Diamond Creek Trail — leading to an overall gain of nearly 15ha, which will be accessible by all and available for broad public use.

Added to that, the council’s decision to prevent the sale of the former Hurstbridge High School site for housing has preserved a further 1.8ha, which will be used to create a larger public reserve.

Six options are being considered for the former school site, including a natural billabong/swimming pool, a natural water play or splash park, amphitheatre, netball or basketball courts or even a new Men’s Shed.

If the council decides to sell all or some of these blocks, we will use the money to invest in additional public land and facilities that can be used for the widest possible community benefit.

This strategy will actually add to our 91 parks and playgrounds, 22 ovals and more than 730ha (1800 acres) of bushland and reserves.

Other projects the land sales will generate money to deliver include new sporting pavilions for Diamond Creek Netball, Research Park and Marngrook Oval; the Eltham Central Oval community hub and U3A and a rebuild of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.

These projects have a common purpose.

They will all boost healthy participation and support our local economies.

You can see from this strategic approach that we don’t take the sale of any land lightly and that we are looking to enhance our community assets.

Just as we are doing through this current process, we will continue to consult with our residents.

Cr Peter Clarke, Nillumbik Mayor