What is Bayside Council planning with Elsternwick Park?
Below is the exact wording of the resolution voted on 5 in favour, 2 opposed at the Special Council Meeting on 19 September 2018, with additional commentary from the Community based on what has been learned so far.
Council considered at the Special Council Meeting on 19 September 2018, where it was resolved that:
Council:
1. Endorses the use of Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 4 for the purposes of winter sport including sportsground reconstruction incorporating improved drainage, irrigation, synthetic cricket wicket and granitic sand oval perimeter path;
Activity in summer on the New St side of the park (referred to by council as Oval 4) has already increased substantially, with 100’s of sporting users displacing the Community at peak times on weekdays and weekends.
2. Installs sportsground lighting on Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 4 to meet Australian Standards for junior and senior Australian Rules football training;
3. Constructs a basic, female-friendly sportsground pavilion to support the use of Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 4;
This planned pavilion will include a kiosk, and is estimated to cost $1.8m to construct.
4. Refers costs associated with works at Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 4 for consideration as part of the 2019/20 Budget process;
The capital expenditure is estimated to be $2.83 Million upfront ($900,000 for construction of an oval on the New St side of the park, $1.8 Million for construction of a pavilion and kiosk and $130,000 for construction of light towers), plus additional expenditure for ongoing for maintenance.
5. Resolves not to install any oval perimeter fencing or concrete spoon drain on either Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 3 or Oval 4;
6. Leaves Elsternwick Park (South) Oval 3 unchanged;
Increased sporting usage by a variety of groups outside of Bayside have already been observed following this decision. This is a significant departure from the usage of the St Kilda St side of the park (which council refers to as a Oval 3) in previous years. Dog walkers and the broader community are already being displaced by these actions.
7. Investigates opportunities for improved facilities for non-sporting users in Elsternwick Park (South) including dog walkers and dogs; and
8. Informs the lead petitioners of two relevant petitions received at the 21 August 2018 Council meeting of the outcome of this report.
