Anne Parisianne
Craigieburn residents are being encouraged to have their say on a new master plan for Aitken Creek.
Hume council endorsed the draft master plan, which focuses on improving the eastern section of the parklands from Aitken Boulevard to Merri Creek, during its meeting on June 11.
The master plan covers an area of about 90 hectares.
The council will use the master plan to understand the support needed to develop community recreation that protects ecology and Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
Councillor Jodi Jackson said the Aitken Creek corridor has been a much-valued part of Craigieburn for over 40 years, providing space for residents to ride, walk and skate.
“We also love it for the nature links that it provides us,” she said.
“There is no mistaking that this creek and the flora and fauna that are grown to it. Make it a really wonderful place for recreation.
“On a personal note, it’s where I spent much of my childhood … is where I developed my love of nature and birds.
“The golf course is an important part of this master plan and it certainly falls within the scope of the master plan for good reasons.
“Pathways that cut through the rear of the course are very widely used. It was one of those public spaces that helped us to maintain our sanity during the pandemic when travel further than five kilometres wasn’t allowed.”
It was around the pandemic time that residents realised that some of the paths in the area needed widening, Cr Jackson said.
“The most important aspect of this master plan for modern Craigieburn relates to the planning and construction of a direct pedestrian and cycling crossing at the road crossing at Aiken Boulevard.
“Today, this has been one of the biggest impediments to residents being able to safely recreate on both sides of Aitken Boulevard.
“At the moment, it’s a 1.2-metre high fence that’s designed to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from accessing between the eastern and western sides of the creek.
“And that means that anyone wanting to cross to get to the other section either needs to take a lengthy and indirect detour.
“I would encourage as many residents as possible to read carefully through the draft master plan and to provide feedback so we can further enhance the draft for delivery infrastructure that our residents need and want.”
