CITY of Melville officials and ratepayers will head to the Mt Pleasant Baptist Community College this Thursday after a special electors meeting was called to discuss plans for Bert Jeffery Park.
The Melville Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) triggered the meeting to request the City stall on pushing forward with new facilities at the Murdoch ground until a number of boxes are ticked.
The MRRA argues the City has not been transparent with its plans for the venue, while residents had failed to receive all the answers they sought.
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READ NOWAmong its wish-list is for the City to hold off on its plans until the Department of Local Government has finalised its inquiry into the council and the City prepares a report considering strategies to meet the long-term requirements for public open space.
In recent months, calls have been made from cricket and rugby clubs seeking playing space within Melville.
With a squeeze on facilities around the City, the council is looking to develop change rooms at Bert Jeffery to accommodate the Applecross Cricket Club.
News last year a cricket pitch was to be installed at the park caused angst, with residents arguing they had little to no consultation, that the park was too small to accommodate the sport and that their amenity would be effected by noise and possible alcohol consumption.
In November, councillors carried 10 – 3 a notice of motion put forward by Cr Nicole Robins directing better engagement with residents on development of the new club rooms, a facility chief executive Shayne Silcox did not initially believe would be needed last March, and ensure use by the home club was structured.
Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said an increasing need for playing and training space meant every venue needed to be considered.
“We can’t not use areas as our population grows and the intensity of use at other facilities increases,” he said.
The special electors meeting will commence 7pm.
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