By Laura Michell
Epping and Wollert residents have criticised Whittlesea council for signing off on an $180 million business case for the Regional Sports and Aquatic Centre in Mernda while their suburbs are “deprived” of community sports facilities.
Council approved the business case for the centre on July 18, which will require $80 million in government funding.
The centre will be built in stages from 2024-25, with council prioritising the delivery of indoor and outdoor sports courts. An aquatic centre will be built as part of the centre’s final stage.
Former Whittlesea councillor and Wollert resident Lawrie Cox criticised council for committing such a large amount of money to one project.
He said the centre would not benefit Epping North and Wollert residents as it was not easily accessible by public transport.
He also questioned why council had no short-term plans to improve sporting infrastructure in Epping North and Wollert.
“There is no community sports facilities in the pipeline other than in five to 10 years,” Mr Cox said.
“We can’t wait five to 10 years for services to be delivered. In needs to be done in the next few years.
“We desperately need sporting facilities.”
In a question submitted to the July 18 council meeting, Epping resident Nick Brain said council had no plans to build any community sporting facilities or a library in Epping North or Wollert for nearly a decade.
“How long does council expect local residents and ratepayers in Epping North and Wollert to put up with being deprived of vital community facilities while cross subsiding infrastructure plans that do not practically factor in their needs?” he said.
Speaking at the council meeting, chief executive Craig Lloyd said council would deliver the Regional Sports and Aquatic Centre in stages to ensure it can deliver other facilities across the municipality.
He said disjointed land development, and therefore access to land identified for community facilities, was a challenge in Epping North and Wollert and would impact the delivery of facilities.
“Planning and feasibility for several key community and recreational facilities are scheduled to commence in the next five years, including the Epping north library, a new community centre east of Epping Road, and an AFL/tennis/cricket facility at Edgars Creek,” he said.
“In addition the the replacement of tennis court surfaces at Epping Recreation Reserve is scheduled for 2025, and the epping central information and learning hub feasibility study will be undertaken in 2029.”
Mr Lloyd also said council would advocate to Public Transport Victoria for improved public transport.
