Whats is happening to Elsternwick Park?

THANK YOU to everyone who provided their amazing support over several months last year in a collective effort to try and save Elsternwick Park South from development.

Concerned community members from Bayside, Port Phillip and Glen Eira signed a petition in July and August 2018, as a united attempt to protect and preserve this unique open space parkland.

  • The outcome of this petition was that 3,854 local residents said NO to the Bayside City Council’s proposal to turning ‘Oval 3’ (being the St Kilda Street side) and ‘Oval 4’ (being the New Street side) of Elsternwick Park South into a sporting ground with floodlights, fencing and pavillion (‘Proposal‘).
  • 85% of the Have Your Say feedback was NO to the Proposal.
  • 800+ letters and complaints emailed to Bayside Council regarding this Proposal.
  • 100’s attended the Special Meeting of Bayside City Council on 19 September 2018.
  • 70+ Bayside residents and park users at the Special Meeting spoke in opposition to the Proposal.

However, at the Special Meeting on 19th September 2018, the Bayside City Council moved a motion to:

  • “reactivate” Oval 4 for AFL training and weekend competition, which includes a pavilion and flood lights but no fencing; and
  • leave Oval 3 unchanged and investigate opportunities for improved facilities for non-sporting park users, including dog walkers and dogs.

This was a dissapointing result for many Bayside residents and local park uers because Elsternwick Park South is one of the last remaining green open spaces in Bayside for this and future generations.

Bayside Council’s proposal means:

  • Building a Sports Pavilion & Kiosk
  • Adding Flood Lights
  • AFL Competition – Exactly when you the resident want to use the park
  • Increased noise pollution, sirens and whistles at peak times
  • Increased parking and traffic congestion

With this decision Elsternwick Park will be CHANGED FOREVER!

Current view from New St, which will change forever.

EPCA would like to work with the Bayside City Council, as the voice of Bayside and local communities to ensure that, despite the 19 September decision, Elsternwick Park South will continue to be used and enjoyed by all park users in a way that reflects the communities requirements.

With input from the community and support of the Bayside City Council, our aim is to ensure that as a result of the Council’s decision on 19 September:

  • there is no unnecessary removal of existing mature trees;
  • all park users, both sporting and non-sporting have sufficient and equal access to the park at key times both on weekdays and weekends; and
  • any potential light and noise pollution and traffic congestion is properly investigated and mitigated so that there is no loss of amenity for park users and surrounding residents.

We hope you will join us to secure the the future of Elsternwick Park South.

Click here to Join EPCA