Land grab for sports reserve

A DESPERATE need for recreational facilities has prompted Cardinia Shire Council to buy extra land in Pakenham and bolstered plans to develop a district sports reserve.
The council has swooped on a 2.28 hectare parcel of land in Henry Road, buying it for an undisclosed sum before it went to auction.
The land is adjacent to a 7.97 hectare parcel of land in Henry Road, which adjoins the Pakenham Bypass and Toomuc Creek that is already owned by the council.
Residents in Pakenham and other growth-corridor towns say there is a pressing need for more sports and recreation space.
Mayor Bill Ronald said he was very pleased the council had been able to purchase the land via a private sale prior to auction.
“Council officers were aware the owner was interested in selling and that the land was to go to auction later this month, so they acted quickly to negotiate with the owners through the owner’s agent,” Cr Ronald said on Monday.
“The purchase of this land means council now has more than 10 hectares to work with.
“This is a significant quantity of land and will mean an enormous boost to recreational opportunities for sporting clubs in Pakenham.”
Cr Ronald said the land would be developed as a district sports reserve for sports including soccer.
The need for the reserve was identified under a growth corridor sports strategy adopted by the council in 2005.
The mayor said the area would undergo a master planning process during the next six months.
“This purchase means we have increased capacity and flexibility to develop the reserve because of the increase in size but also the increase in frontage to Henry Road,” Cr Ronald said.
“Council will also be more able to ensure the protection of the corridor along Toomuc Creek and there is less likely to be conflict over amenity issues with residents when the reserve is developed for sporting purposes.”
As part of the master plan process, the council has pledged to seek community input into the development of the land in the coming months.
Meanwhile, work is progressing on plans to develop the Don Jackson reserve in Ahern Road as a junior cricket facility.