Following community consultation Macedon Ranges Shire Council has voted to continue the process to sell East Paddock at Hanging Rock to the Victorian Government, contingent on a list of conditions.
In line with an election commitment in 2018, Macedon Ranges Shire Council received an updated offer to sell the land, which would enable the entire Hanging Rock precinct to be under single ownership.
After last week's Council meeting that resolved to continue to proceed with the sale of East Paddock, a notice of motion to rescind item 'COR.2 East Paddock Community Consultation and Proposed Sale' was lodged and considered today at an Unscheduled Council Meeting. The rescission motion was not successful allowing Council to proceed with sale negotiations.
The East Paddock covers an area of approximately 56 acres (22.7 hectares) and sits adjacent to the Hanging Rock Reserve. It is zoned Public Park and Recreation Zone, which recognises land for 'public recreation and open space' and has been used to host a number of events including concerts for international artists.
Council invited residents to provide feedback on the proposed purchase by the Victorian Government through online or written submissions and at an online meeting held on 12 May. A total of 245 submissions were received via survey responses or written submissions from Councils 'Have Your Say' call-out.
In making the decision to proceed with the sale, Council stipulated that it would only do so on the following basis:
- The respective valuations being within a suitable range;
- Retaining the land as public open space in perpetuity and ensuring any development on East Paddock is consistent with protecting the significant natural and cultural values and views of the site;
- Council remaining Committee of Management for a transition period whilst long-term governance and operational arrangements are resolved, including seeking that Council is made a permanent member of the final governance and management arrangements;
- Limited concerts, events and markets continuing to be held on East Paddock as per current practice;
- Advocating to the Victorian Government the importance of alternative facilities for existing Hanging Rock sporting groups being identified, planned, funded and delivered, should these groups be required to relocate as a result of implementing the DELWP master plan; and
- Creation of a new financial reserve that will retain the sale proceeds, and enable Council to consider initiatives within the shire that the funds could be allocated to.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson acknowledged that Hanging Rock and the East Paddock as a precinct is a very important site—for Traditional Owners, for locals who live around the site, for Macedon Ranges residents, and in fact all of Victoria and beyond.
"It is such a well-known and cherished place," she said.
"This was a very important decision for everyone and we would like to thank all those who put in the time to make a submission—community consultation is a vital part of making these decisions. We hope the community can see we've considered all submissions in the conditions we have attached to the sale negotiations of East Paddock".
"We look forward to working closely with the Victorian Government to ensure that this culturally and environmentally significant landmark is protected and remains as an open space for all to appreciate and enjoy into the future," said the Mayor.
