Petition to Whitehorse City Council
To the Mayor, Councillors, and Executive of Whitehorse City Council,
We, the undersigned residents of Victoria, support the Council’s proposed initiative to lock open the perimeter gates of Morton Park West in Blackburn. We believe this action will help reduce the amount of maintenance and repair required to maintain a safe and consistent playing surface for sporting participants.

However, we also acknowledge the concerns of community members who use the oval to exercise their dogs, and understand that this initiative will impact their activities and raise concerns about dog safety.

To meet the needs of all users of Morton Park, we propose that the Council should as a matter of urgency, establish a purpose-built, fully fenced off-leash dog park in the large open space between the Morton Park Pavilion and the railway path, or in another suitable location. Ideally, this area would be equipped with suitable lighting to allow unrestricted, extended after dark access for community members wishing to exercise their dogs off-leash. We recognise that such lighting may need to be a second stage of the project as funding becomes available.

Creating a designated dog exercise area would enable Morton Park West to be returned to its primary function as a sports oval. This would help ensure a safer and more consistent playing surface, free from hazards such as sand-filled holes and uncollected dog waste - both of which currently pose health and safety risks to cricketers and footballers.

We believe this solution would benefit all users of the Morton Park precinct by reducing conflict and promoting shared community use:

• For dog owners: A dedicated off-leash space would allow a greater range of hours to exercise their dogs by avoiding clashes with training and match times on the western oval. It would also demonstrate that the needs of dog-walkers are being valued equally alongside those of dedicated sporting clubs in Whitehorse.

• For sporting clubs: More than 1,000 playing members across Blackburn football and cricket clubs would benefit from a safer, more reliable playing surface. Reducing the presence of holes and dog waste would significantly lower the risk of lower leg injuries and reduce the burden on volunteers who currently spend time filling holes and removing dog waste before games and training.

We believe this proposal supports safety, fairness, and enjoyment for all users of Morton Park and will enhance the value of this important community asset.

Thank you for giving our views your consideration.