Greater Shepparton City Council approved the release of the draft Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Master Plan for public exhibition at Tuesday's Ordinary Council Meeting.
The draft master plan will be on public exhibition for a period of six weeks, commencing Wednesday 21 July 2021 until Wednesday 1 September 2021, with submissions invited from the community and key stakeholders.
The Mooroopna Recreation Reserve plays a pivotal role in the provision of open space, sport, recreation, community and event opportunities for locals and visitors. Council Officers worked with the user group Committee of Management to review and propose a new master plan which was driven by a number of factors, including the need to address ageing infrastructure and the need to undertake planning to guide future development.
Deputy Mayor, Cr Rob Priestly said Mooroopna was one of the region's fastest growing communities and therefore deserved extensive sporting and social facilities.
"The Mooroopna Recreation Reserve has some aging facilities, so it is time to bring clubs, community and Council together to forge a plan for the future," he said.
"The space is home to a trotting track, two ovals, grass and hard surface tennis courts, lawn bowls, croquet, netball, a fire brigade training area, playground and a number of toilet and change facilities as well as a functions and event centre.
"While the venue is regularly used by locals, it also hosts a number of major events each year and has capacity to host national standard activities."
The draft Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Master Plan features a Landscape Master Plan which summarises the 18 development priorities across the site, including:
- Changerooms for football and netball use on the northern side of the main oval
- Multi-purpose change, toilet and kiosk building
- Upgrades to the Sports Stadium
- Raw water access – investigate improvements to raw water through new access points and possible increase of capacity of the dam to ensure there is sufficient water for future developments and to service the bowls and lawn tennis facilities
- Max Connors Pavilion toilet upgrades
- Upgrade of Sir Ian McLennan Centre to incorporate toilets and enhanced social facilities for the tennis club
- Off-leash dog area within the harness track
Initial stakeholder consultation has been undertaken with user groups of the reserve, Council Officers and peak sporting associations. Cr Priestly said Council were now seeking the community's feedback to help guide the final plan.
"Now is the time for Mooroopna locals and users of the recreation reserve to take a look at the draft master plan and share their thoughts," he said.
"Have your say and make sure the plans for the reserve meet the growing needs of Mooroopna residents and the region into the future."
To have your say on the draft Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Master Plan complete our online survey. Alternatively, you can collect a hard-copy of the survey from Council offices in Welsford Street, or request a mailed copy via the phone number below.
