By Peter Douglas
VICTORIAN Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has been treated to a tour of the former Olinda golf course as plans to develop the site are nearing a conclusion.
Ms D’Ambrosio, who will need to sign off on any proposal for work to begin, toured the popular location on Friday 2 December with Monbulk MP James Merlino and Parks Victoria members, who provided Ms D’Ambrosio with updates on plans for the site.
The 29-hectare former golf course has been vacant since around 2009, with a lengthy consultation process coming to a close.
Key recommendations for the site have included a new oval, play-space and dog-walking access.
The Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club is expected to be among the many groups that will gain use of the site.
Ms D’Ambrosio told the ‘Mail’ it was great to get a first-hand update on the site’s development.
“This is a fantastic and important site for this community, so it’s important we get this right,” she said.
“The natural beauty here is second to none.
“The more people who have access and the ability to enjoy this area, the better.”
Member for Monbulk James Merlino acknowledged the many groups and individuals involved in the planning stage.
“I want to pay tribute to all the hard work the local community has done to get this plan up and running,” he said.
“We’ve listened to what locals want to see happen here and we’re getting on with making this area into a new recreation and tourism destination for the local community.”
Mr Merlino said the plan focused on delivering recreational tourism benefits for the local community and Victorian Public, building better connections to the Olinda township and making it simpler for locals and visitors to walk between the many attractions in Olinda.
The MPs also met with the Rhododendron Garden and Dandenong Ranges Garden Advisory Committee to discuss their ongoing work in the area and pay tribute to the success of the gardens as a significant horticultural attraction for visitors to the Dandenong Ranges.
Meanwhile, regular dog walker on the site Jenny Oxer said there still remained resistance to the proposals, in particular the sports oval.
Ms Oxer pointed towards a Change.org petition that sought to stop the development of any sports complex on the site.
The petition cites major earthworks and tree removal as just some of their issues, as well as the potential impacts for people who regularly enjoy the amenity.
However, Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club President, Chris Hall, believes the community overwhelmingly supports the creation of a sports oval.
Mr Hall said the club was in desperate need for such a facility, given the club’s present oval was drastically overused.
“We’ve got nine to 10 teams playing and training on the ground every week and it’s not viable,” he said.
“In a few years, we expect we’ll need to take a break from the ground for a season.
“With such long-term over-use, there will be further degradation of the ground.”
Mr Hall said he could not understand the position of the group behind the petition.
“There’s around 35 hectares on the site, so I’m not sure exactly how much space they need,” he said.
“I understand not everyone likes football, but it’s a big part of the community.”
