Tomorrow morning we have Channel 9 coming to cover the contentious
proposal to sell the land beside the Creek, just over Merri Parade from
us, extending from St George’s Rd Bridge downstream to around the bike bridge. Please
come along at 10.45 tomorrow morning so we can show the cameras some
numbers! Bring your kids, dogs, bikes, etc.
VicTrack is evidently seeking $1.5M from the Darebin City Council for a
transfer of ownership of the parkland between the Creek and Merri Parade. Basically, the land ownership is a hangover
from the 19th century, when the train line was proposed come over
the Creek closer to St George’s Rd. Instead, VicTrack's precursor bought up lots from
the public sale of the “St George’s Park” estate (ie our adjacent neighbourhood!) and
built the train line and Merri station in its current location.
This land has been maintained by Darebin for decades,
mowing, weeding and maintaining the bike path. The Friends of the Merri Creek
have maintained the native vegetation and secured funding for the rejuvenation of this land. The
Merri Creek Management Committee has effectively governed the land. Many
of us have organised and/or participated in removing rubbish from this land as
a part of Clean of Australia Day. It’s classified as an area of significance for its importance
to our local Indigenous people, its environmental values and its high amenity
for residents from all over the Cities of Darebin and Yarra.
As our rates fuel much of the City’s activities and
programs, and our volunteer labour has returned some stunning results, I consider
that we have already paid for this community space many times over.
Most disturbing, from the Council report, is the
implication that if Council cannot purchase the land, then it may be sold
privately. This is unacceptable. We should support our Council on
this one and call for VicTrack to have the land reclassified as Crown Land,
with the City of Darebin appointed as its Committee of Management.
Hope to see you there!
