Still time for master plan response

PORTARLINGTON community members are encouraging anyone with feedback on the Draft Portarlington Recreation Reserve Master Plan to have their say before consultation closes.

The City of Greater Geelong has been working with the reserve reference group for two years on designs, and while members are happy with a majority of the master plan’s proposed infrastructure improvements, some members have four key concerns.

Issues raised include safety concerns around the second oval because of the proximity to a small area of bush and risk of snakes; and the potential limit to expanding sport facilities in the future.

The reference group has modified a design to include more future planning options, which it will request the city considers before the master plan is finalised and adopted.

Group members have proposed a 20- to-30-metre buffer between oval two and the scrub to reduce the snake risk to children on the oval.

Community members also want confirmation of what is planned for the CFA training area and event track where the master plan proposes re-purposing the asphalt area for other uses.

City acting director community life Janice Lane said all feedback, including the project reference group’s modified design, would be considered in preparing the final master plan before it is presented to council later this year.

“When planning for the future of the Portarlington Recreation Reserve, it’s important we safely balance the future sporting, recreation, events and other community needs and their desire to protect the natural environment, cultural values and character of the reserve,” Ms Lane said.

“The draft Portarlington Recreation Reserve Master Plan has been developed in close consultation with current tenants of the reserve, community and sporting organisations and local residents with around 200 submissions made to the initial engagement last year.

“We’d like to thank the community members for sharing their feedback during the initial consultation period and to everyone who has commented on the draft master plan so far.

“We encourage locals, visitors and future users to view the draft master plan and provide their feedback before 10 September so that it can become a space for the whole Portarlington community to enjoy now and into the future.”

Visit the City’s Have Your Say web page to view the draft master plan and provide feedback.