Morris Reserve, Pascoe Vale South - Master Plan

Project background

Morris Reserve is a single oval reserve, set in a densely populated residential area in Pascoe Vale South.

The reserve offers both passive and active recreation opportunities including:

• football/cricket oval with a turf table and synthetic wicket
• sporting pavilion
• cricket practice nets
• scout hall
• public toilet block
• playground, and
• a small sealed car park.

Morris Reserve is seasonally allocated in the summer to West Coburg Softball Club, the West Coburg Cricket Club and the West Coburg Football Club in the winter.

The facilities at Morris Reserve are functionally obsolete for contemporary sporting club needs and community expectations. At the June 2011 Council meeting, Council resolved the West Coburg and Pascoe Vale South Precinct Needs Analysis (2011) that identified the need for master planning of Morris Reserve in conjunction with the West Coburg Sports Club and other stakeholders.

The Morris Reserve Master Plan (PDF 11Mb) was adopted by Council and is now complete.

Consultation

At its meeting on 8 February 2017 Council endorsed Option 2 of the Draft Morris Reserve Master Plan (PDF 671Kb) for community consultation.

In response to community feedback, a further two revised options were developed.

Following a feedback process in mid-2017 the below two Master Plan opportunities were developed and available for public consultation until 1 September 2017.

1. Draft Morris Reserve Master Plan - Opportunity 1 (PDF 12Mb)
2. Draft Morris Reserve Master Plan - Opportunity 2 (PDF 12Mb)

Timeline of past consultation

Draft Master Morris Reserve Master Plan endorsed by Council for community consultation 
Wednesday 8 February 2017 Council meeting

Community consultation
Began March 2017

On site community consultation session at Morris Reserve 
Wednesday 19 April 2017

Survey distributed
Wednesday 3 May 2017 (closed Friday 19 May)

Review survey/feedback results
Monday 22 May – Monday 7 August 2017

On site community consultation session at Morris Reserve  
Wednesday 16 August 2017 (afternoon)

On site community consultation session at Morris Reserve 
Thursday 24 August 2017 (evening)

Response

Responses to questions raised at the August 2017 on site community consultation sessions.

• Proposed current and future use of the sportsfield and netball courts (PDF 120Kb)
• Playground upgrade: Council has a 5 year action plan that focusses on play and park improvements across the city. Implementation of this action plan is a key outcome of the Moreland Play Strategy (PDF 2Mb). This strategy assesses the age, condition and safety compliance of Merri-bek’s 130 odd play spaces and ranks them in an order for upgrade. The 5 year action plan (page 42), lists the parks that will receive an upgrade, up to 2020-21. Due to the age, condition and safety compliance when compared to other parks across Merri-bek, Morris Reserve is not a priority for upgrade at this point in time. Special projects can arise from time to time and receive additional funding through Council endorsement / budget allocation.
• Pavilion liquor licensing via the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

Sections of interest are noted below.

3.6 Pavilions

Pavilions are provided to support sportsground activities. The allocation of pavilions will be based on allocated days and times as specified below. Council reserves the right to place other user groups within the pavilion during any non-allocated times.

• Monday to Friday 4 - 11 pm
• Saturdays and public holidays 8 am - 11 pm
• Sundays 8 am - 10 pm

5.1 Pavilion usage - EPA Guidelines

Clubs are responsible for ensuring all members and guests of the club adhere to the EPA Guidelines for noise. Section 48A (5) prohibits noise from amplified sound (i.e. that can be heard outside the building) to the following times:

• Monday to Thursday before 7 am and after 10 pm
• Friday before 7 am and after 11 pm
• Saturdays and public holidays before 9 am and after 11 pm
• Sunday before 9 am and after 10 pm

In addition, Council has a requirement that the premises are vacated by 11 pm so that local residents are not disturbed into the early hours of the morning.

5.2 Accepted behaviour

Clubs are not to conduct any obnoxious or offensive activity or use facilities for illegal or immoral purposes. The display of any sexually explicit or offensive material in any form is prohibited.

Clubs need to be mindful that many facilities are located in residential areas. Respect must be given to residents and their property, including houses, vehicles, fences or yards. They must not be damaged, altered or trespassed upon, including entering a property for the collection balls or for any other reason. Pavilions, including those with social rooms are not party venues and should not be used as such.

The sale of liquor without a licence is prohibited. Clubs need to contact the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to apply for a licence and are required to provide a copy of their liquor licence with application.

Council will only support applications that observe the following times and conditions:

• Monday to Friday - starting time of 6 pm is the earliest with an 11 pm closing
• Saturday and public holidays a starting time of 12 noon with a closing of 11 pm
• Sunday a starting time of 12 noon is the earliest with a 10 pm closing
• A club recognised as a junior club will not receive support from Council for a liquor licence.

Clubs are required to ensure their liquor license operating times are in line with the above times.

Clubs who have licenses with times outside the above will need apply for change of license hours through the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

If a club wishes to hold a function and serve alcohol outside these times, permission must be sought from Recreation Services and a temporary Liquor Licence applied for.

6.5 Food Registration

• Clubs that intend to sell food must obtain registration. It is a mandatory requirement under the Food Act 1984 that the premise, in which food is sold, is registered as a Food Premise with the local Council.
• Council’s Health Department registers and inspects kitchen facilities at all facilities that sell food. Such Clubs must have a Food Safety Program.
• Seasonal Sports Food Premise Registration is to be renewed each year and is subject to the approval of an application form submitted to Council.
• The final Morris Reserve Master Plan will be presented to a future Council meeting for consideration. The October 2017 Council meeting is currently proposed.

Results and feedback

The Morris Reserve Survey 2017 report of results (PDF 273Kb) and feedback (PDF 80Kb) from public submissions for the Morris Reserve proposed development.

Council resolution

Following the August 2017 community consultation sessions, Council received a total of 100 submissions. 13 submissions supported Master Plan (option 1) , 67 supported (option 2) with 14 submissions against both (option 1 and 2) and 6 submissions providing suggestions stating no preference.

Whilst there was a lot of positive feedback through submissions and the 3 consultation meetings on both proposed plans, concerns were raised on issues including the consultation process on location of pavilion, noise, liquor licensing and, parking issues during sporting activities, traffic speed and volume along Brentwood Avenue and Wadham Street, Pascoe Vale South.

Feedback and submissions received on both the draft concept plans had been noted and resulted in the development of a option 3.

View the Summary of community consultation responses to the Draft Morris Reserve Master Plan. (PDF 167Kb)

At the Council meeting held on 11 October 2017, Council resolved to:

Cr Kavanagh moved, Cr Davidson seconded -

That Council:

1. Endorses option 3 (PDF 11Mb) in the Morris Reserve Master Plan (PDF 11Mb) at Attachment 1 to this report as            Council’s preferred Master Plan.
2. Notes the total cost of the Master Plan to be $2,821,130, and the existing capital allocation of $1,480,000 in                  the long term Capital Program.
3. Notes the funding gap of $1,341,130, and authorises officers to explore opportunities to seek alternative                        funding sources to make this project possible.
4. Authorises Council officers to work with West Coburg Cricket Club regarding their request for a trial of a                        limited Liquor Licence at Morris Reserve on Saturdays from 2 pm to 7 pm during the upcoming cricket                            season from October 14th 2017 to 31st March 2018.

View the Morris Reserve Masterplan Council Report. (PDF 86Kb)

Further information

If you have a question about the Morris Reserve Master Plan, contact Joe Luppino on 9240 2261 or email Recreation Services.