Council seeks community input on park plans

Council seeks community input on park plans

MANNINGHAM Council have a series of park projects they are seeking feedback on across the municipality.
Council sought community input for a new Masterplan for Stinton’s reserve, however with only a couple of weeks from the announcement to the close of this round of consultation, this survey has already closed.
Council says the Masterplan will guide the future use, development and upgrade of facilities within the reserve over the next 20 years.
Stintons Reserve currently accommodates a wide range of user groups with varying needs, including:

Park Orchards BMX Club
Park Orchards Cricket Club
Park Orchards Senior Football and Netball Club
Park Orchards Junior Football Club
Doncaster Baseball Club
Warrandyte Cricket Club
Manningham Greyhound Slipping Track

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, said Stintons Reserve is an important local reserve for sport, recreation and dog exercise activities in Park Orchards.
The resultant Masterplan will be released for public consultation and community feedback next year.
For more information visit yoursaymanningham.vic.gov.au/ stintons-reserve-masterplan.

Dog parks
Warrandyte Reserve

There is also a proposed upgrade of the northern oval at Warrandyte Reserve, which Council says will improve facilities for the community, as well as for dogs and their owners.
Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, said Warrandyte Reserve is a hub for the local community in Warrandyte and popular with dog owners.
“Warrandyte Reserve is enjoyed by many local sports and recreation groups, residents, dogs and their owners.
“We’re proposing some dog-friendly improvements within the reserve and want to hear your feedback on our concept plan by August 12,” Cr Lange said.
Many people have already taken to social media to voice their opinions on the proposal for a dog park at the northern (little) oval at Warrandyte Reserve.
One commenter, Doreen Burge, noted that Manningham’s ovals are already all off-leash for dogs when there is no organised sporting activity taking place.
“The little oval is not suitable for a dog park — it’s nowhere near big enough…
Warrandyte area has very few off-leash areas, it is only the ovals and a couple of tiny pocket parks plus one unfenced path that runs alongside a busy road!
The one area — Husseys Lane Reserve — large enough for a proper walk and a good run for active dogs has literally no parking.
Council is simply being lazy and unimaginative in nominating the little oval for a dog park.
By all means fully fence it so dog owners can safely practise their dogs’ recall there (AND pick up their dogs’ poo), but don’t imagine it’s a viable solution for a dog park.
The one dog park Manningham has provided (Aranga Reserve) is unbelievably popular and successful.
We need at least two more like it in Manningham, then maybe dog owners won’t have to all congregate in one or two places.
Greater Bendigo — population roughly the size of Manningham — has at least three large (10 acres+) fully fenced dog parks with facilities.
So Manningham please be more proactive in providing proper facilities for your many dog-owning residents … who pay significant dog registration fees.
We need better!”

Council’s proposed upgrades include improvements to the path network between both ovals, a new shelter at the northern oval with seating and storage facility built in, a new drinking fountain with dog tap and bowl, improved fencing to allow easier access into the ovals, and improved drainage and ground condition of the northern oval for better year-round use.
The proposed improvements at Warrandyte Reserve are supported by the Victorian Government’s New and Upgraded Dog Parks Program.
To see what’s proposed, find out more and have your say, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/ warrandyte-reserve-upgrade.

Burgundy Reserve

Similarly, Manningham Council is planning an upgrade at Burgundy Reserve in Doncaster and is seeking community feedback until 12 August.
The proposal includes: an upgraded playspace and shelter, a new public toilet, and a series of improvements to enhance the reserve for dogs and their owners.
The concept plan includes a relocated and upgraded fenced playspace, an upgraded shelter, a new two-cubicle public toilet, a new shared path connecting Cellar Way to Burgundy Drive, new path lighting, new chain mesh fencing along Burgundy Drive, new seats around the oval, a new drinking fountain with a dog bowl, path realignment and upgrade for more passive recreation opportunities, and additional landscaping and trees across the site.
The playspace, shelter upgrade, and the new public toilet, are planned as part of Council’s capital works program, scheduled to be completed over the next two years.
“We know many residents use this well-loved space to spend time with their dogs, and as part of the upgrade, we are proposing some dog-friendly improvements, including a new path, shelter and drinking fountain,” Cr Lange said.
“I encourage everyone to find out more, view the concept plan and have your say on what’s proposed for Burgundy Reserve in Doncaster,” Cr Lange said.
You can find out more and have your say by visiting yoursay.manningham. vic.gov.au/burgundy-reserveupgrade.
Consultation on the two dog park proposals closes on Monday, August 12, 2024.