I understand the concern raised by residents locally about the Netball Center construction at Sandringham College. However, I first ask, where was this same anger during the construction of the apartment towers which have stained our beautiful suburb. All this anger towards a Netball Center yet no anger towards the apartment towers which stand out like a sore thumb, its residents staring into our homes. I saw no signs no opposition to this extent during all the apartment complexes being build along Bay Road yet now everyone's united against a Netball Center ... hypocritical much.
My children attend other local schools however the opportunities the Netball courts provide are immense. The local school Sandy College will benefit immensely and the students and community will alike share these beautiful facilities. I understand the traffic aspect along Holloway Road, it will increase but this project is for the better, these facilities all of us can enjoy, an amenity for the girls of our suburb.
Lets get onto what the signs outline, Wetland destruction, this is a blatant lie. There is no wetland or local environment destruction from the Netball construction. In fact the proposal includes the planting of additional trees so this is a blatant lie. The only wetland and local environment loss has come through the construction of those disgusting apartment towers along Bay Road, those have disrupted the local environment such as the Heathland sanctuary, this netball project does no such thing. But yet no opposition or signs in opposition to the construction of those towers ?
Noise Pollution is a concern and yes that is a good point raised. I agree on the points raised about that issue. However, again noise pollution has increased significantly around the suburb as the masses pile into the ugly towers on Bay Road. I understand why locals are concerned but I cant help but feel this response is hypocritical to say the least
The golf driving range on Wangara Road is a far better solution for this construction. There was some opposition to the towers prior to construction. Our house will be directly impacted by the noise and traffic and the fact a traffic report was commissioned during Covid and also comparing volume from 2017/2018 shows little regard for local residents. The parking plan suggests parking where there simply can't be any due to the width of the streets. The lack of genuine consultation with residents - using Covid as an excuse is simply not good enough.
Wangara Road is a former landfill site, and Council seem to have failed to consider this when they proposed it as a site. Methane generation can be a problem for buildings on former tip sites (see Gas Risk report in Council's Planning Permit Register for 20 Wangara Rd permit no 106/2019). Someone should FOI Council's MOU and/or Heads of Agreement concerning the development at Sandringham College. I am also wondering if use permits are required as the use of the building for public sport may not fall within the "education" exemption? Failure to apply for Use permits is a common theme at Bayside (see Bence v Bayside VCAT 2020).
The problem is that Council plays sporting groups off against residents. The issue is not whether or not to have netball courts, but where they are located. There are a very large number of community groups who are less than happy with Bayside Council. At Dendy Beach Council has portrayed residents as "anti-sport" for opposing a massive commercial development next to the iconic bathing boxes. The Council have spent over $1milion in legal fees to date, and the matter is currently with the Supreme Court. Numerous other groups have taken or are taking Council to VCAT, for their various development proposals on public parkland. Lack of adequate consultation and lack of proper process appear to be common themes. I am trying to get a petition together to ask for an independent investigation into Bayside Council's practices.
Under s60 1(e) of the Planning and Environment Act the Council must consider "any significant effects which the responsible authority considers the use or development may have on the environment or which the responsible authority considers the environment may have on the use or development". I note Council's comment that it has "no idea" of the effect the development will have on the wildlife in the adjoining heathland sanctuary. If this was a private development Council would have required an environmental study. There is a real conflict of interest between Council entering into a MOU/HOA to build the Netball Courts and then being the responsible authority to consider the application.