Big thanks to all those that signed this petition. From where we stand, we see support and understanding continue to grow across the community, and this petition has been a key instrument in achieving that. It’s not just residents that offer support, but groups that understand that the ‘Save McIvor Reserve’ campaign is part of the bigger challenge to protect green and open space for the future.
Next Council Meeting
The petition has been officially accepted by the Maribyrnong City Council, to be tabled at the public Council Meeting at 6.30pm on the 21st February 2023 (Yes that’s this Tuesday!) While the MCC are undergoing major renovations at Footscray Town Hall, meetings are being held at:
Council Chambers, Braybrook Community Hub,
107-139 Churchill Ave, Braybrook.
I will be in attendance to see the petition tabled and be a visible reminder to our councillors that this community is prepared to turn up in support of the issues we care about. I’d love to have residents join me - one for every tree CUT DOWN to make way for this stadium! We’ll also have some good questions for Public Question Time.
You too, can ask a question about McIvor Reserve Masterplan by filling in the Council form here:
The tabling of the petition will be just a procedural affair. The rules don’t allow us to speak to the petition or explain its significance in any way. After it is tabled the Council will, in a day or so, determine whether to refer it to the CEO for consideration.
Discussions with the CEO
Having spoken directly with the CEO Celia Haddock on Wednesday, I feel assured that the petition will be considered and will ultimately contribute to feedback for the McIvor Reserve Masterplan. Ms Haddock has agreed to meet us to discuss our concerns on a date to be determined after the 21st of February.
Show Us the Final Masterplan!
The petition is in, but there is a lot of work ahead. The draft masterplan with its stadium, carparks and insensitive treatment of park neighbours and existing park assets, was unacceptable and we have made that clear to Council. Following months of community consultation, the Council may or may not have changed the proposal. We don’t know because we haven’t seen an updated document. It is our understanding that the Council does not intend to share that updated plan until just before the March meeting where councillors will vote on whether to endorse it! We think that’s undemocratic and unacceptable, and denies residents the opportunity to tell our elected representatives (Mayor Carter, Deputy Mayor Lam, Cr Jorquera, Cr Thomas, Cr Crawford, Cr Tran and Cr Clarke) how we want them to vote. We will be encouraging the MCC to share the details of a ‘final’ masterplan as soon as possible. If it still contains a stadium and carparks we will have to assume they are not interested in delivering a sound outcome for the environment or the majority of feedback respondents who say they are not in support of it.
Motivation to Find an Alternate Stadium Site
The Council is not a faceless organisation. It’s made of people that are capable of good decisions, bad decisions, and personal biases that influence those decisions. In this instance we have heard repeatedly that these people are unable to find any industrial or unused site that is capable of accommodating an indoor stadium, and our parkland is the preferred option. In a city crammed with unused industrial sites, and the nearing competition of projects like the West Gate Tunnel, and the new Footscray Hospital, that’s a hard line to swallow.
It’s also not acceptable to hear that they can build on a parkland because it’s free land and it’s all they have to work with. It’s not free just because it doesn’t have a building on it. It’s not free just because Council don't have to buy it. It belongs to everyone in this community, and it has a far greater value than a disused industrial site.
If we can convince the MCC that taking parkland is not an option for building development, it will have to work harder to secure brown field sites for indoor stadiums and other important infrastructure that does not require open space to fulfil its function.
For that to happen Council need to recognise that the value of green and open space makes it too important to sacrifice. Together we aim to get the people within our council to make that shift in understanding.
Thanks for your ongoing support.