Save the former Olinda Golf Course as a Parkland.
The top of the Parkland of the former Olinda Golf course in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia, is under threat of destruction. The Shire of Yarra Ranges has approved a plan submitted to them By Parks Victoria to construct an oval, almost the size of The MCG across the former top three fairways of the area. It is currently being used by more than 35,000 visitors a year and functions as a truly beautiful common for all, for environmentally friendly recreation. Implementation of the plan would require the removal of up to 50 mature trees and shrubs, and the loss of natural grasses and vegetation for the abundant wildlife in the area.
The Hills Common Alliance registered an appeal at VCAT on 30th October 2018 against the Notice of Decision by Yarra Ranges Council made on 9th October 2018 to grant a Permit to Parks Victoria for “ A minor sports and recreation facility and vegetation removal”.
A hearing date has been set for 13th May 2019 at 55 King Street, Melbourne and is expected to last for 2 days. A compulsory conference date has been also set for 7th March 2019 and is expected to be of 3 Hours duration.
Both Parks Vic and Council have produced respective reports which have been made available to us as objectors to the decision. In order to successfully challenge these reports, we need to be able to produce expert reports from both the environmental and ecological perspectives which challenge the findings of the existing reports. This clearly is no easy task. We currently urgently need funding to employ the appropriate professionals to assist us.
On the basis of hardship, we have had the application fee to VCAT wavered. It is likely that their additional fees will also be wavered. Excellent initial pro bono legal advice has been obtained for which we are most grateful. We have been informed that the only legal bases upon which we can challenge the decision are:
1). The environmental and ecological perspectives.
Since the closure of the golf course in 2012, the common land has become a vibrant place for the community to enjoy hilltop views to the distant mountain ranges, majestic trees and vibrant bird and wildlife, having picnics, walking dogs and socializing. Koalas, the occasional kangaroo, wallabies, wombats, and many nocturnal marsupials, powerful owls, lyrebirds and rare Gang-Gang Cockatoos are all to be found on the common land. The large, flat, open space at the top (rarely found in the Hills) is the only easily accessible section for many people, particularly the elderly and those with very young families.
We have been informed that comparative “usage” by people eg between sporting groups and informal recreation cannot be taken into account legally, we will argue that people are as much part of the environment as native wildlife and the current usage reflects the wider community’s wishes rather than that of the sporting and commercial lobbies. Two underutilized ovals already exist at nearby Kalorama, with lights, and Ferny Creek, however, don’t appear to have been considered as alternatives. The junior footballers already have access to the Olinda Primary School’s oval, another alternative for consideration.
The second oval is unnecessary and has been earmarked for the large flat space - restricting access to the public and changing the natural environment people enjoy - along with major earthworks and removal of old trees.
The claimed need for commercial purposes such as markets and events has in no way been established. Due to weather on the mountain, including it being in an extremely high fire danger area it is in fact not practical
2). The partial nature of the application.ie that other development will be required to support the initial one. Eg a) parking, support buildings such as toilets and the Playspace which is clearly, though not officially admitted, to be also a support development for the sporting facility. Parents of the football club do not consider the existing playspace behind the existing play space to be safe from falling tree branches and therefore understandably, do not permit their children to use it.
b) viewing stands, as more than half the oval will be above the surrounding grounds and most of the remainder will be under tall trees which are known to drop their branches,
c) fences or barriers, possibly nets of some kind to keep the balls from going into the surrounding vegetation, trees etc. and to keep wildlife off the turf and creating holes and leaving droppings.
d) If matches which are now openly planned by the footballers are to be played on the AFL oval which is almost the size of the MCG, existing major traffic issues in the area at peak times such as weekends will be greatly exacerbated.
MONEY NEEDED .
Based on the current advice we have received, we have set a goal of $12,000 for the cost of the required expert reports and support from a number of professionals, including some legal support.
CAN YOU HELP?
WE have received many verbal and written expressions of support from the community.
These include a current total of 1749 signatures on our two major petitions.
We now need to have practical monetary support.
PLEASE Donate to support the retention of this Parkland in its unique peace and beauty available to all.
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP and would be very grateful for your donation!
The Hills Common Alliance registered an appeal at VCAT on 30th October 2018 against the Notice of Decision by Yarra Ranges Council made on 9th October 2018 to grant a Permit to Parks Victoria for “ A minor sports and recreation facility and vegetation removal”.
A hearing date has been set for 13th May 2019 at 55 King Street, Melbourne and is expected to last for 2 days. A compulsory conference date has been also set for 7th March 2019 and is expected to be of 3 Hours duration.
Both Parks Vic and Council have produced respective reports which have been made available to us as objectors to the decision. In order to successfully challenge these reports, we need to be able to produce expert reports from both the environmental and ecological perspectives which challenge the findings of the existing reports. This clearly is no easy task. We currently urgently need funding to employ the appropriate professionals to assist us.
On the basis of hardship, we have had the application fee to VCAT wavered. It is likely that their additional fees will also be wavered. Excellent initial pro bono legal advice has been obtained for which we are most grateful. We have been informed that the only legal bases upon which we can challenge the decision are:
1). The environmental and ecological perspectives.
Since the closure of the golf course in 2012, the common land has become a vibrant place for the community to enjoy hilltop views to the distant mountain ranges, majestic trees and vibrant bird and wildlife, having picnics, walking dogs and socializing. Koalas, the occasional kangaroo, wallabies, wombats, and many nocturnal marsupials, powerful owls, lyrebirds and rare Gang-Gang Cockatoos are all to be found on the common land. The large, flat, open space at the top (rarely found in the Hills) is the only easily accessible section for many people, particularly the elderly and those with very young families.
We have been informed that comparative “usage” by people eg between sporting groups and informal recreation cannot be taken into account legally, we will argue that people are as much part of the environment as native wildlife and the current usage reflects the wider community’s wishes rather than that of the sporting and commercial lobbies. Two underutilized ovals already exist at nearby Kalorama, with lights, and Ferny Creek, however, don’t appear to have been considered as alternatives. The junior footballers already have access to the Olinda Primary School’s oval, another alternative for consideration.
The second oval is unnecessary and has been earmarked for the large flat space - restricting access to the public and changing the natural environment people enjoy - along with major earthworks and removal of old trees.
The claimed need for commercial purposes such as markets and events has in no way been established. Due to weather on the mountain, including it being in an extremely high fire danger area it is in fact not practical
2). The partial nature of the application.ie that other development will be required to support the initial one. Eg a) parking, support buildings such as toilets and the Playspace which is clearly, though not officially admitted, to be also a support development for the sporting facility. Parents of the football club do not consider the existing playspace behind the existing play space to be safe from falling tree branches and therefore understandably, do not permit their children to use it.
b) viewing stands, as more than half the oval will be above the surrounding grounds and most of the remainder will be under tall trees which are known to drop their branches,
c) fences or barriers, possibly nets of some kind to keep the balls from going into the surrounding vegetation, trees etc. and to keep wildlife off the turf and creating holes and leaving droppings.
d) If matches which are now openly planned by the footballers are to be played on the AFL oval which is almost the size of the MCG, existing major traffic issues in the area at peak times such as weekends will be greatly exacerbated.
MONEY NEEDED .
Based on the current advice we have received, we have set a goal of $12,000 for the cost of the required expert reports and support from a number of professionals, including some legal support.
CAN YOU HELP?
WE have received many verbal and written expressions of support from the community.
These include a current total of 1749 signatures on our two major petitions.
We now need to have practical monetary support.
PLEASE Donate to support the retention of this Parkland in its unique peace and beauty available to all.
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP and would be very grateful for your donation!
Co-organizers2
Jenny Oxer
Organizer
Kalorama, VIC
Elke Effler
Beneficiary
Jane Barnes
Co-organizer