Question:

If we assume basketball court demand identified in 2018 is still valid and that, in fact, 12 courts are required, then we can assume that the 4 to 6 'multi-use' courts in this stadium would immediately have a full schedule just catering to basketball games. In real-life terms, how will this also benefit netballers, futsal players, indoor hockey players, badminton players and whomever else has been told this space will benefit them?

A follow-up question - how do the needs of the 1.5% (potentially 3.5%) of basketballers in Maribyrnong compare to the needs of the 12% of dog owners in the Council area and likely even larger number of users who would benefit more from open space than from a structured sports-focused, ultimately private building with limited usage, availability and open hours?

Answer:

Council recognises the need for a multi-use indoor sports facility within the municipality to service multiple codes. It is not proposing an indoor basketball stadium but an indoor sports facility with multiple indoor courts that can be used by a range of indoor sporting codes (including but not limited to basketball, futsal, netball, volleyball). Court scheduling is a proven effective and efficient way of managing competing demands to ensure a range of sporting codes are able to be accommodated in any given facility.

Council must navigate competing demands of its community. It is not a matter of prioritising one set of needs over another. We have identified a need for an indoor sports facility within our municipality to support our growing population, while also recognising the value placed on open space by our community generally, including but not exclusively dog walkers.

Question:

Who would be able to use the indoor sports facility? Would I need to be a member of a sports club?

I’d also like to add that I am a keen table tennis player socially but not a member of any club, so my love of the game doesn’t show up in your reporting on registered table tennis players in Vic. I’m sure I’m not the only one, too. Will the facility you build be used for multiple sports on the same court, so one night it may be set up for netball and the next table tennis?

Answer:

Council recognises the need for a multi-use indoor sports facility within the municipality to service multiple codes. Its preference would be the development of multiple indoor courts that can be used by a range of indoor sporting codes (including but not limited to basketball, futsal, netball, volleyball).

At this early stage, we cannot determine how court usage and availability might work. However, Council actively works with facility owners across the municipality to secure greater community access to the facilities they need, including facilities that support table tennis.

We have also noted your comments about table tennis as a consideration in our planning.

Questions:

1. Has or will Council negotiate with the developer of the Bradmill site, for a land contribution rather than a cash open space contribution? A land contribution would enable greater ability for publicly accessible green open space. Furthermore, the pinch point at the entry to the park from Francis Street could be widened and a more inviting entry could be created should part of the Bradmill site be given reserve status via the subdivision process.
2. What consideration is given to the western interface of Mclvor Reserve and the potential to create publicly accessible green open links through the Bradmill site? Careful consideration needs to be given to public and private interfaces to ensure that Mclvor Reserve is not privatised or an unsafe environment is created via no passive surveillance.

Answer:

The Maribyrnong Planning Scheme requires all new subdivisions to contribute a minimum of 5.7% of their site value as a public open space contribution. As you mentioned, this contribution can be in the form of land, a monetary contribution, or a combination of both. The approved Bradmill Development Plan shows a linear park running through the site, as well as two smaller ‘pocket parks’ for future residents and the wider community to enjoy. This exceeds the requirements of the Maribyrnong Planning Scheme.

The Development Plan further includes improvements to Francis Street, including a median strip and two new signalised intersections at Richards and Francis streets and Roberts Road and Francis Street. The continuation of Roberts Road has further been approved within the Bradmill Development Plan. This new road will likely address concerns re the Western interface of McIvor Reserve and the Bradmill development. You can view the plans in full via the following link.

McIvor Reserve is no different in regards to the public/private interface with surrounding residential areas where appropriate use and public safety are governed by planning rules, etc.

We appreciate there are strong views within our community around the potential to site an indoor sports facility at McIvor Reserve and Council will be looking to balance these competing needs to ensure the best outcome is obtained for the community as a whole.