By MELISSA MEEHAN
EMERALD’S Worrell Reserve could be home to a new skate park – with an area identified on the draft Worrell Reserve Master Plan.
While there is no funding available for the skate park over the next five years in Cardinia Shire Council’s capital works program, an area will be set aside when works to replace removed trees are replanted over the next few months.
Cardinia Shire’s Recreation development co-ordinator Mark Stahel said the master plan was a long term plan used to ensure that the council had a strategic approach to the ongoing development of a site as well as advocate for projects identified in the plan.
“The Worrell Reserve Master Plan is part of a broader Emerald Community Facilities Spatial Plan that the council has been working with the community to develop for the last 12 months,” Mr Stahel said.
“At this stage, council has shown an indicative location for a potential skate park in response to community feedback.”
He said the idea would go through a thorough consultation process if and when the plan is approved.
While the idea of a skate park has been welcomed by many in town, others who fought strongly against the removal of the 50 Monterey trees have questioned whether the council had made plans for the skate park well before the community was aware the trees were to be removed to make way for a Neighbourhood Safer Place.
Some questioned whether the number of trees to be replanted would be reduced to allow for the skate park.
“All of the tree planting for the reserve will still proceed as planned with minor adjustments made to accommodate a potential skate park,” Mr Stahel said.
“The number of trees planned for the site will not change.”
Residents are invited to provide feedback on proposals in the paper and maps which can be accessed on council’s website or hard copy versions are available on display at Council offices Pakenham, Emerald Library and Pakenham and mobile libraries.
Feedback can be provided to Council in writing or via an online survey. A listening post will be held at Emerald Library on Wednesday 19 March from 1–6pm.
A further listening post will be held in mid-April, full details to be advertised.
Written submissions should be made to Cardinia Shire Council, Emerald community facilities spatial plan, PO Box 7 Pakenham, 3810. Submissions close 5pm Friday 2 May.
