Elsie Lange
An upper house MP has urged the Victorian government to allow Macedon Ranges sporting clubs to continue to play at Hanging Rock oval.
Northern Victoria MP Tania Maxwell tabled the Hanging Rock Cricket Club’s petition in the Legislative Council on April 5, which pleads with the government to amend their draft Hanging Rock master plan to include sporting clubs.
“Local people feel devastated by the prospect that the master plan, as written, would remove cricket without offering a new home for the local kids, young people and adults who love it,” Ms Maxwell said.
“The game’s been played here since 1864, Hanging Rock Cricket Club (HRCC) has more than 100 members, and this past season it fielded four junior and three senior teams including girls and women.
“Compared with horse-racing, concerts and similar big visitor events, local cricket must be the activity with the lightest touch on the precinct’s environment,” she said.
HRCC vice-president Stephen Mitchell described the decision in the Hanging Rock draft master plan to move sport away from the rock as a “death sentence”.
On April 5, Northern Victoria Liberal MP Wendy Lovell also raised the issue of the future of the club in parliament.
“We all know the important role sporting clubs play in our communities, and the Hanging Rock Cricket Club plays a vital role in the health and happiness of local residents,” Ms Lovell said.
In response to questions from Star Weekly, a spokesperson from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said they knew the draft master plan proposes a big change for the affected sporting clubs.
“That is why, should the plan proceed, the transition to other nearby locations for these clubs will be carried out over five years,” the spokesperson said.
“Local sporting clubs have been invited to work with Macedon Ranges shire council, with support from state government, to plan for possible relocation.”
