Angry Bannockburn residents fight plan to turn recreation reserve into houses

Golden Plains Shire council is moving to rezone 3.5ha of Bannockburn Recreation Reserve for housing. A resident has explained why the decision “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

Bannockburn residents are fighting the council's decision to declare 3.5ha of Bannockburn Recreational Reserve as surplus. From left: Ben Gibbs with Bella, Daryl Charlton, Jackie Charlton, Beverley Bond, Josh Trowell and Chris Balis with Mac. Picture: Mark Wilson

Bannockburn residents are trying to fight a council decision to declare hectares of land within a recreational reserve as surplus, claiming it could be used for a range of community infrastructure.

In March, 2021, Golden Plains Shire council declared 3.5ha of land within the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve as surplus to its needs, and should be rezoned for residential purposes.

It is now seeking approval from the Planning Minister to rezone the land, subdivide it into 51 lots, and sell it off.

Bannockburn resident Josh Trowell launched a petition in March to ask council to put the decision on hold, but was unsuccessful.

He has now started a GoFundMe page to fund an expert to appear on behalf of the community at a Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee hearing in September.

The land declared as surplus is located adjacent to the Golden Plains Soccer club off Mowbray Way. Local residents in opposition of the decision pictured from left: Ben Gibbs with Bella, Daryl Charlton, Jackie Charlton, Beverley Bond, Josh Trowell and Chris Balis with Mac. Picture: Mark Wilson

The committee will report back to the Minister before a final decision on the rezoning is made.

Mr Trowell said the decision to rezone the land was “shortsighted” and that many residents were frustrated at a lack of community consultation.

He said making the decision in the middle of a Covid-19 pandemic lockdown was ”really bad” and showed a clear disconnect between the council and community.

“They didn’t speak with anyone, and made a really major call,” he said.

“The council has made assumptions about what the community wants, without even talking to them.

“It just doesn’t pass the pub test.”

A Golden Plains Shire spokesman said the land described as surplus was not required for community infrastructure purposes within the latest draft of the Recreation Precinct Masterplan.

“Consultation has been completed by the relevant planning authority, which in this case was the Minister for Planning,” the spokesman said.

“Council will conduct community engagement as required … at the time that council determines to sell the land.”

Mr Trowell said residents in adjoining properties to the reserve had purchased their houses “at a premium”, with an expectation the land would remain a public park.

He said many residents felt the best use of the land would be for public recreational facilities, including potentially a swimming pool or football field.

He said council’s response to these ideas was “a bit of a joke”.

The shire spokesman said the land was previously identified as a potential site for an AFL football oval but was no longer the preferred location for it.

“Opportunities for dual ovals and netball courts have since been incorporated in the exhibited Bannockburn Growth Plan,” he said.

The spokesman said the sale of the land as residential allotments would potentially provide affordable housing in the area under the state government’s Big Housing Build, which Golden Plains had been identified as a priority area for.

The GoFundMe page has a target of $5000 to fund its expert to speak at the September hearing.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/save-the-bannockburn-recreation-reserve

For information on the Bannockburn Growth Plan visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations/bannockburn-growth-plan

Originally published as Angry Bannockburn residents fight plan to turn recreation reserve into houses