By Mikayla van Loon
Residents in Kilsyth have been notified a deposit has finally been made to the State government for the purchase of 150 Cambridge Road.
Key campaigner and petitioner John Phillips told the Star Mail he had been informed of the deposit payment last week by Yarra Ranges Council.
The council has since confirmed a deposit payment and the contract of sale was made on 26 August, with the State government acquiring a crown grant for the land before it can be transferred. Yarra Ranges Council expects the land to be transferred by the end of December.
This comes as a major relief to residents who worked tirelessly on raising the profile of the land and its importance for the community.
“I think it’s the most important and exciting news that everyone’s been waiting for because it means that it’s now official and legal and means this large, natural environment site has been saved for the future,” Mr Phillips said.
“Without doubt the site in time will be revamped into a reserve which is good. That’s fantastic because it will benefit health and wellbeing, for all of us, really, for many generations to come.”
Mr Phillips said with over 9000 signatures on a petition which was handed to the council early last year, “it was an unprecedented magnitude of this public outcry and that’s been extraordinary and I think that made it quite difficult for officials to ignore.”
“It’s been quite challenging but at the same time, it’s been a pleasure to stand up for the voice of thousands of residents and local business owners, especially for what’s right.”
Although overjoyed by the decision to purchase 150 Cambridge Road, Mr Phillips said he was disappointed in the decision to sell four other parcels of land in the local Kilsyth and Mooroolbark area.
“I’m a bit disappointed that the council voted to sell all four. I don’t think all four need to be sold to raise enough funds,” he said.
“There will be State and Federal grants that should be able to be applied for as was the case with the Chirnside Park parkland last year.
“It wouldn’t seem fair that if all four don’t need to be sold, then why sell them. I don’t understand the reasoning behind that.”
No engagement has yet been made with the community about what will happen with the reserve but Mr Phillps said he would like to see the name reference the community fight, something along the lines of Pembroke Reserve or Unity Reserve.
Moving forward Mr Phillips hopes the community will stand up for what they believe or desire in their local suburbs.
“I’d like to tell the community that in the future when something important first crops up, we don’t have to sit on our hands anymore because together, we can try and do something about it.
“It only takes one of us to put a hand up and go in to bat for what’s right.”
