Blackwood locals want Shire to buy vacant block

EIGHTEEN people have signed a petition asking the Moorabool Shire Council to buy a block of vacant land in Blackwood to preserve it for community use.

The land, at 17-19 Martin Street, has been used by locals for a variety of events for at least a decade, but its owner has decided to sell it as she prepares to move away from the town.

Karen Bermingham announced on her Facebook page in November last year that she was moving on and selling her house and the block.

Locals immediately became concerned that the site could be bought and developed, which would be the end of a much-loved central gathering spot.

They are now working to find ways to either buy the land, which measures 1034.3 square metres, themselves or have it bought by an organisation or agency willing to maintain its existing status.

The site appeared on property listings in mid-February with a price tag of $435,000.

One of the petition’s organisers, Brendan Hehir, personally addressed councillors at their March meeting last week.

Mr Hehir said the community had used the land for meetings and campaign events, picnics and more, all with sweeping views of the Lerderderg Valley.

“This view, unique in the town centre, really is a window to our greater landscape and the newly declared national park,” Mr Hehir said.

“For many of our visitors, this is their snapshot of our town.”

Mr Hehir said locals understood that the Shire owned a small number of residential blocks in Blackwood and were asking that they be used to buy the site.

He said potential uses included a children’s playground (the town does not have a playground), a community vegetable garden, a picnic and viewing area, a designated meeting area with a noticeboard, or a hub for the national park with interpretive signs.

“With the relaunch of the Blackwood Hotel, visitor numbers are surging,” Mr Hehir said. “I think Blackwood is really starting to realise its potential as a major tourist area.

“We urge you, please do not miss this once-off opportunity to secure this vital part of Blackwood’s civic and economic future.”

The petition itself said: “It is a favourite spot for both visitors and locals to relax and picnic, taking in the magnificent views.

“The value of open space for the community in the centre of town, while supporting the tourist economy, cannot be overestimated.

“It would be a huge setback to the future capacity of our town to lose this shared space.”

Cr Jarrod Bingham moved that the petition be received and asked if any funding streams were available to help facilitate a purchase.

Cr Bingham said the $435,000 asking price was “quite clearly” out of the council’s scope.

CEO Derek Madden replied that he was not aware of any applicable funding streams.

“But it’s something we could explore,” Mr Madden said.

Shire officers will prepare a response to the petition.