Zoe Moffatt
The Macedon Ranges community continues to be divided over the future of the Kyneton Showground, the netball changing facility and the 10 elm trees that line the grounds.
The small town has recently received its fair share of media attention with the Kyneton Football Netball Club (KFNC) calling for improvements to its “sheep shed” changing facility.
The club president Hayden Evans said there are no showers, no hot water, no heating or cooling, no sanitary facilities and rats and mice everywhere.
While Macedon Ranges council has adopted a masterplan for new change facilities- which removes the elm trees- an objection lodged to this removal has put progress on pause.
Rob Bakes is a spokesperson for the local residents objecting to the removal of the trees and said they support the long overdue building of decent, safe and healthy changing rooms.
“What we oppose is the unnecessary removal of the 10 mature trees to build those rooms,” he said.
“In the consultation process, the community, other clubs using the sports ground, including the netball club, supported the option that did not require the trees to be removed.
“This was ignored by the council, for no good reason.”
Mr Bakes said the sporting ground is used year round by many clubs including junior cricketers and Little Athletics in summer when heat is at its highest temperature.
“It is well known that mature deciduous trees play an important role in reducing air temperatures.
“If anybody doubts this they should go down to the botanic gardens on a hot day, stand under the magnificent mature trees there and see how they feel compared to standing in direct sunlight in open untreed areas.”
Mr Bakes said the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) applicants are also concerned about the impact of removing the trees on the heat on their neighbouring properties.
“This matter could be resolved today if the council agreed to build the changing rooms without removing the trees.
“There is a place on the land where that could be done and it has almost universal community support. It is not the applicants to VCAT but the council who is holding up this project.”
Macedon Ranges council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said the master plan was adopted following extensive consultation with user groups and the community.
“The location… is consistent with the principles of gender equity and Netball Victoria’s facility guidelines… encourages good visibility… and maximises player and spectator confidence from a security perspective,” he said.
Mr O’Sullivan said council does not take decisions like the removal of the tree lightly, and an independent arborist’s report found the trees were in various stages of declining tree health, vigour and life expectancy.
“The master plan ensures additional tree planting on the site to complement other existing trees that continue to surround the ground to the south and south-east.”
