Petitions call for park retention
 Baw Baw News   By // 16:03, Sunday 14 September 2014

baw baw generic july 2014

THREE petitions were presented at the Baw Baw Shire council meeting on Wednesday, including two which called for the retention of parkland.

This article was first published in the 12 September 2014 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Get your copy now for even more news and entertainment.


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The petitions opposed the sale of parkland on the edge of Drouin’s Bellbird Park and elsewhere in the Baw Baw Shire.

One petition, which named Bellbird Park while also rejecting any sale of parkland, received 1,213 signatures.

Another more general petition against parkland sales had 374 signatures.

In July councillors moved to investigate the possibility of selling several parcels of land around the shire, some of which abutted Bellbird Park.


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No decision has been made on the sale of any parcels of land near the park, and at the July meeting Warragul ward councillor Mikaela Power advised other councillors to be cautious when selling parkland that access to open spaces is retained.

“If we do remove a park… we need to ensure we have footpath access to neighbourhood parks,” Cr Power said.

Council staff have suggested funds raised from any sale would be invested in infrastructure.

Footpath petition

Another petition, signed by 138 residents of the Princes Way, Drouin area, called for the council to construct a concrete footpath from 861 Princes Way to its intersection with Hopetoun Road.

In a letter supporting the petition, a campaign spokesperson said there was a clear community need for a footpath.

“It would be in the best interest of the people moving into this area east of Drouin, in the estates and along Princes Way, that access to the town be made easier and safer,” the spokesperson said.

“A completed concrete path would greatly assist our elderly residents and those using motorised scooters, as well as general users.


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“The current track at its worst is narrow, rough and unstable ground which is a health and safety hazard for those who attempt to use it.

“There have also been complaints… from ladies about problems pushing prams along the track.

“The residents assigned to this petition would appreciate their council developing a safe and solid pathway as an entrance to the fast-growing township of Drouin.”

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