Council Minutes - 27 October 2009 - City of Greater Geelong

Greater Geelong City Council 27 October 2009
Minutes of Ordinary Meeting
SECTION B - REPORTS Page 36
6. DRAFT ERVIN RESERVE MASTER PLAN (CONT’D)
Cr Richards moved, Cr Harwood seconded -
That Council:
1) note the Draft Ervin Reserve Master Plan
2) release the Draft Ervin Reserve Master Plan for public comment for a period
of four weeks.
Report
Carried.
Background
The City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) has had a number of requests for infrastructure
improvements at Ervin Reserve from a variety of users over an extended period of
time. The City is keen to proactively seek opportunities to enhance the informal
amenity value of the parkland whilst improving the functionality of active uses of the
reserve, including formal sports. Therefore the City appointed a team of specialist
consultants to develop a Master Plan for Ervin Reserve.
The aim of the Master Plan is to develop a plan that can be used to guide the future
development of the reserve having regard to user and community aspirations, whilst
enhancing the natural ambience and character of the park.
Ervin Reserve currently includes a range of active recreation facilities including cricket,
junior football and tennis. The reserve is also used by the community for passive
recreation.
Discussion
The purpose of this report is for Council to note the draft Ervin Reserve Master Plan
and release the document for public exhibition, comment and refinement before formal
endorsement.
Key objectives of the draft Ervin Reserve Master Plan relate to improving the
functionality of the reserve, including user safety, car parking, traffic management,
circulation and opportunities for informal community use.
The draft Ervin Reserve Master Plan contains development recommendations based
on the issues and opportunities evident at the reserve.
The planning process involved a comprehensive review of background material and the
establishment of formal reference groups to guide the planning process. These
included:
• Project Control Group (PCG) consisting of key Council officers to provide high
level strategic direction on key issues, opportunities and approve reports,
• Project Working Group (PWG) consisting of Council officers from across CoGG
departments and relevant external agencies to provide technical advice on the
project, and
• Project Reference Group (PRG) consisting of representatives from existing user
groups and key stakeholders. The PRG provided input, direction and feedback into
the project at key stages.