By Mikayla van Loon
Upgrade discussions for Mooroolbark’s McDermott Avenue Reserve returned to the public forum at the end of February with movement from the council to draft a master plan.
Community consultation first occurred in 2020 but Yarra Ranges Council put it back on the agenda with a vision to approve a plan by the end of 2025.
The site, which was once used as the regional facility for Lilydale and Yarra Valley Netball Association, has been left unused since 2015 and residents have since been using the space for exercise and as a recreation reserve.
The council resolved in January 2015 to rezone and sell McDermott Avenue Reserve for housing but there was no progress on the sale of the land, with increased desire from the community over the last 12 months to keep it as open space.
Resident Cam Hunter, whose property backs onto the reserve, said this was a welcome step forward for the area.
“It’s time for it to be upgraded and improved, especially as a family residential area, providing a safe place for children and families to play would be a high priority for the community,” he said.
“At the moment, it is almost like a wasteland out there. So whilst it is still utilised in its current format, I don’t think it’s a safe destination to send kids to go play on any given day.”
Mr Hunter said aside from it being a “general eyesore”, the community often doesn’t feel safe because of “the broken bottles, the glass, the rubbish, the graffiti” that is left behind.
“It has been a hot spot for the potential undesirables in the past, whether it is hoon activity, motorbikes, cars, loud music and who knows what else is going on there with groups of mainly young men,” he said.
“So for it to be turned into a family friendly community space wouldn’t only just enhance the options of that, but then limit the ability of those people to utilise the space like that.”
Preliminary discussions with the community returned the main focus areas for any plan, including a playspace, youth and adult activities including a variety of social and recreational activities, a path network with lighting to walk, exercise and learn to ride a bike, open grassed areas for kickabout ball activities, picnics, social gatherings and events, shelter and barbeque with supporting toilet facilities.
“In late 2024 we started to reengage with the local community and started site investigations to inform detailed site analysis and site opportunities plans,” the Shaping Yarra Ranges page states.
“These are nearly ready to share with the community and will be uploaded in the next couple of weeks, and will form the basis of a Master Plan for the future development of McDermott Avenue Reserve, Mooroolbark.”
Community discussions “would consider what proportion of the site is allocated to open space, and would take into account ‘no net loss of open space’ objectives and the changing demographics in Mooroolbark”, with potential for a partial sale of the land not ruled out.
“Should part of the land require rezoning as part of a future sale the community will be notified and invited to provide feedback in accordance with statutory procedures under the Planning and Environment Act 1987,” the Shaping Yarra Ranges page states.
Alongside the proposal for a master plan, Casey MP Aaron Violi announced on Monday 24 February that an elected Liberal government would put $375,000 towards the achievement of the 15 year plan.
“Locals have told me that the McDermott Avenue Reserve open space has been left neglected. The area was once a vibrant space for families to meet, socialise and engage in recreational activities and sports,” he said.
“The message from young families has been that they would like to see the reserve revitalised and turned into a thriving local space for all residents to enjoy.”
Councillor Mitch Mazzarella said he too welcomed any commitment to help “turn this space into a thriving, family friendly, open space for Mooroolbark”.
“The McDermott Avenue reserve has sat abandoned and neglected for a decade. It was the place where many learned to ride a bike, walked the dog or played netball. Sadly, it has become a hub for anti-social behaviour,” he said.
Aside from the more major reserves in Chirnside Park and Lilydale, and of course Hookey Park, Mr Hunter said the estate really doesn’t have access to a playground or park in close proximity.
“Having it geared towards children and families is the priority for the space. Currently, a lot of the play spaces in the area are tied in with schools, so obviously during school hours they’re not accessible,” Mr Hunter said.
“This provides a great opportunity for that, as well as having a space for informal sport and recreation. It’s something that the community doesn’t really have access to at the moment.”
Mr Hunter said he’d “be amazed if there’d be anyone who would oppose the plan” considering its current state and what it could be.
The Coalition would have to be successful in the election, which is expected to be called before the end of May, for this funding to be granted to Yarra Ranges Council.
Master plan works would not be subject to the pledge from Mr Violi alone but other funding streams would be sought to achieve the project.
To read more, visit: shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/mcdermott-avenue-reserve-mooroolbark-master-plan
