The diverse soccer community in Moonee Valley is in dire need of additional facilities for soccer players to train and compete. Independent AusPlay data has shown that soccer is the most popular sport in the area, yet there are only two year-round soccer-specific pitches in the entire city. As a result, local clubs with 40+ week competition requirements are struggling to meet the growing demand for soccer.

The potential development opportunities at J H Allan Reserve present a crucial solution to this problem. By installing new energy-efficient LED sports lighting to the eastern sports field, training and games can occur safely, addressing the current shortage of floodlit sporting facilities available for evening soccer participation within Moonee Valley. Additionally, repurposing the western sports field for the establishment of a new synthetic grass soccer field would address the shortage of soccer pitches available for community soccer clubs. However, there has been opposition to the proposal based on environmental and parking concerns.

Despite these concerns, we urge the Moonee Valley Council to take immediate action and invest in increasing local football facilities. The benefits of this project extend beyond just the soccer community - it also has the potential to offset its environmental impact by incorporating sustainable infrastructure such as solar panels or EV chargers. Furthermore, the Council can address the parking concerns of residents by ensuring the process of delivering this project includes an assessment of opportunities to increase car parking space. The time to act is now - let's unlock underutilised space for the benefit of Moonee Valley's diverse soccer community.

We the undersigned:

• Urge the Council to acknowledge the growing demand for soccer facilities in Moonee Valley and address the shortage of year-round football specific pitches.
• Support the potential development opportunities at J H Allan Reserve, specifically the installation of new energy-efficient LED sports lighting to the eastern sports field and the repurposing of the western sports field for the establishment of a new synthetic grass soccer field.
• Encourage Council to investigate potential ways to offset the environmental impacts of a synthetic ground, such as the installation of solar panels and EV chargers in the new car park.
• Urge Council to ensure that opportunities to increase car parking space are explored in the process of delivering this project.
• Advocate for the necessary investment in an increase in local football facilities in the Moonee Valley to unlock underutilised space for the benefit of the community.