By Brendan Rees
Casey Council has adopted a masterplan for the Barry Simon Reserve in Endeavour Hills, which will guide its future development over the next 20 years.
The $1.7m proposed masterplan was placed on public exhibition for four weeks, from 27 May to 28 June before being adopted at council’s 18 August meeting.
It proposes to include a new playground, upgrades to cricket practice nets, paving and terrace, new safe lighting and sporting lighting, 36 additional carpark spaces, landscape work and new shading.
Better pedestrian access, a garden bed, and other amenity upgrades including a drinking fountain, a rubbish bin, fencing, and a water sensitive urban design is also planned.
Chris Arnott, president of the Endeavour Hills Senior Football Club, said members were “over the moon” with the announcement.
“We’re very thankful and we can’t wait for it all take place,” he said, adding the upgrades would be a great addition to the new clubrooms which opened last year.
He said new sporting lighting would allow the club to host night games and new carpark spaces would also be a welcome relief.
Mr Arnott added the club prided itself in being inclusive which had more than 150 members, and was “glad Casey Council have come to party because it just shows if you do the right thing, you get rewarded”.
Casey Council administrator Cameron Boardman said the masterplan was important planning tool, and a “vital project” for the fast-growing area.
“I could imagine that this would be a very popular 20-year project that will not only improve the amenity of the facility but provide greater recreational community facilities as a consequence,” he said.
Council received 1400 visits to the Casey Conversations page regarding masterplan with three submissions, and feedback from the sporting clubs at the reserve.
Funding to deliver the masterplan will be considered in council’s capital works program and applications for grant funding to the State and Federal Government.
The masterplan was developed after consultation with user groups and the broader community.