Late in 2020 Council engaged with community and stakeholders to understand the issues and opportunities that existed at McDermott Avenue Reserve. These insights were intended to inform the development of a draft Master Plan for the site. After a hiatus, Council have reactivated the project. The original feedback has been reinforced through letters from community and more recent onsite conversations. We have carried out:

• Letterbox drop: 600 local residences were invited to provide feedback on usage and vision for the site.
• Online Surveys: Over 340 responded to questions.
• Internal Consultation. Stakeholders from across Council were invited to provide insight to understand issues and potential opportunities for the site.

• 73% walk to the park, 34% drive and 24% cycle to the reserve.
• 71% Mooroolbark residents, further 23% from neighbouring suburbs.
• 63% of respondents were female, 72% aged 25 – 54 years, from families with one or two children.

• Currently use the reserve for:
  • walking (51%)
  • bike riding and skill development (48%)
  • health and fitness (48%)
  • social ball games (37%)
  • Exercising the dog (33%)

• 61% of respondents currently don’t use the area because it lacks activities and infrastructure that invites use.
• 93% reported they were very likely (74%) or likely (19%) to be regular users of the reserve if improved.
• Whilst Council had resolved previously to use the land for housing, community still desire to see it used for open space.

For children under 12 years

• Playspace / activity area with climbing equipment.
• Nature play area.
• Open grassed area for social ball games, picnics etc.

For youth aged 12-18 years

• Open grassed area for social ball games.
• Basketball half-court.
• Other equally popular activities including. skate/BMX, multi-lined sports court, climbing wall and exercise equipment.

For adults over 18 years

• Circuit walking path / running track.
• Open grassed area for community picnics, gatherings, events etc.
• Picnic shelters / BBQ area (66%)

Historically the site was the home of local netball clubs, however in 2015 they were relocated into a new Netball Centre at Pinks Reserve. This freed up the site to be explored for other community uses and outcomes.

Priorities identified by the community in 2020, and reinforced more recently through correspondence and conversations, include the provision of:

• a playspace
• youth and adult activities including a variety of social and recreational activities,
• path network with lighting to walk, exercise and learn to ride a bike.
• open grassed areas for kickabout ball activities, picnics, social gatherings and events
• shelter and barbeque with supporting toilet facilities
• landscaped design and plantings to enhance the experience of the space and define the edges.

These very helpful insights from community and are being drawn on to inform the site's development.

In 2015 netball was relocated to a new netball centre at Pinks Reserve Kilsyth. To supplement the cost of developing the new netball centre, and in recognition of it being surplus to Council's open space requirement, Council resolved on 27 January 2015 to rezone and sell McDermott Avenue Reserve for housing. The report also recommended consideration of a partial sale with retention of some land for social recreation (not formal/club based sport), and purchase of alternate land to ensure ‘no net loss’ of open space.

There has been no progress on sale of the land since the resolution in 2015, and over the past 12 months there has been strong community interest in reactivating the site for community social open space. Officers have recently carried out a site survey and site analysis to support discussions with community about the future of the site. The discussions consider what proportion of the site is allocated to open space, and would take into account ‘no net loss of open space’ objectives and the changing population in Mooroolbark.

The community will be engaged throughout the planning of the site and updates will be provided through this Shaping Yarra Ranges website. You can stay up to date by clicking on the link at the top of the home page to follow this page and receive updates.

Should part of the land require rezoning as part of a future sale the community will be notified and invited to provide feedback in accordance with statutory procedures under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The following will not be included:

• The reserve will not be developed as a sporting complex or be planned for formal sport.
• Large-scale developments such as swimming pools or stadiums
• Waterplay facilities
• Dedicated dog park - any feedback received around this will be reviewed as part of a People and Dogs in Parks Plan which is being developed.

Should Council retain the whole site or part of the site, the development of the master plan will underpin future grant and Council funding applications. Typically, co-funding would be sought from State and/or Federal grant funding opportunities. There are currently no funds specifically allocated for potential improvements that may be identified through the master planning process for this site. However having an adopted master plan will give a strong basis to bid for future funds to deliver projects.

Council will be looking for funding opportunities to undertake an early works program to remove asphalt from the old netball court areas and excess asphalt in the old car parks. The areas will be returned to grassed open space for community use in the interim, before the master plan, once adopted, can be funded and implemented.

Council officers have undertaken background research and community engagement which will underpin the development of the draft McDermott Avenue Reserve Master Plan. Any masterplan, once developed, will be open for community feedback, revised as appropriate and presented to Council to consider for adoption.

Activities involved in the research phase included, but are not limited to:

• Consideration of community survey feedback.
• How this project links to Council’s other relevant policies, plans and objectives.
• Specialist site investigations including features and levels survey and geotechnical studies.
• Site condition reports including arborist, environmental, soil, drainage, parking etc.
• Site landscape assessment to inform the development of a concept plan (proposed layout) for the site.