Notice of Motion – raised by Cr Virginia Tachos – Brimbank Park Maintenance and Access
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“Brimbank Park is an important recreational and tourism asset in our municipality owned and operated by Parks Victoria, and Council and the community are concerned about the lack of facilities maintenance and access issues at the park.
“The toilets, rotunda and playgrounds need maintenance and the flood event last October has restricted access across sections of the Maribyrnong River Trail throughout Brimbank Park which are still closed to walkers and cyclists.
“Ongoing investment by Parks Victoria into Brimbank Park is needed to provide appropriate facilities and services as well as to maximise visitor access.”
Quotes to be attributed to Cr Virginia Tachos:
“Council is calling again on the State Government and Parks Victoria to take action on the future development and investment of Brimbank Park as a key destination for the local community and tourists, including access to the park via public transport.
“Brimbank Park is such a great natural asset and so close to the City and Council wants to make sure it has the services and facilities necessary to attract visitors and help contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Background
Council and community members have ongoing concerns about the lack of maintenance of facilities at Brimbank Park, including toilets, rotunda and playgrounds.
Last year’s flood event (October 2022) resulted in extensive amounts of debris restricting access across sections of the Maribyrnong River Trail throughout Brimbank Park which still remains closed to walkers and cyclists.
This is a serious safety and equity issue due to a lack of appropriate pedestrian access to the park over the Maribyrnong River, particularly after rain events that flood the fords.
Access is further restricted by the lack of public transport as an alternative to pedestrian access across the river when the fords are flooded.
These factors are contributing to the creation of an unsafe amenity and a reduced level of usage of the parkland by the community.
Council will continue to advocate with State Government and Parks Victoria to take action on the future development and investment of Brimbank Park.
Notice of Motion – raised by Cr Bruce Lancashire - Requiring property owners to maintain their heritage buildings
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“Our heritage buildings are a very important part of Brimbank’s history.
“Council has a responsibility to protect Brimbank’s heritage through the legislation it has available to it, which is through the application of the Heritage Overlay.
“Unfortunately State legislation doesn’t require owners to maintain their heritage properties, and this sometimes leads to heritage buildings being left in poor condition.
“I look forward to receiving a report at a future Council meeting, on the recent heritage provisions introduced by the State Government and how these might assist councils to further protect heritage buildings.”
Background
The provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 do not require owners to maintain their heritage buildings.
Some owners have let their heritage buildings fall into disrepair as a means of securing a demolition by stealth. Section 6B of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 provide scope for a planning scheme amendment to be undertaken to potentially make provision:
- To regulate or prohibit the development of land on which there is or was a heritage building that has:
- Been unlawfully demolished, in whole or in part; or
- Fallen into disrepair
- To require that a planning permit must not be granted for the development of land on which there is or was a heritage building that has been unlawfully demolished, in whole or in part, or fallen into disrepair, unless the development is for or includes:
- The reconstruction or reinstatement of the building, in whole or in part; or
- The repair of the building.