Save the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve

At its meeting back in March 2021, during the middle of COVID-19 restrictions, Golden Plains Shire Council declared (without consulting with the community) that 3.5 hectares of land in the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct was surplus to Council's needs, and should be rezoned for residential purposes.

This land is vital for community recreation needs in the future, and could accommodate a swimming pool, athletics tracks, and other sporting facilities to support the local schools and members of the community that need to travel into Geelong for these facilities. Over the next 20 years, the population of Golden Plains Shire Council is expected to almost double to 42,000 people, and additional facilities that can be co-located in this precinct will be required.

Having been ignored by the Council, including our elected Councillors, a handful of residents are now taking the fight to the Planning Minister. On 11 September 2023, a hearing will be held by a Committee appointed by the Minister, which will then inform the final decision on the rezoning.

While the Council will be using ratepayers money to fund its case at the hearing, as local residents we don't have the luxury of public funding. We are therefore asking for donations to support our case on behalf of the community.

All funds raised will go directly towards funding an expert recreation and open space specialist who will be appearing on our behalf at the hearing. The expert will be our voice of reason to the Committee and the Planning Minister. All other costs, including our representation at the hearing, is being provided voluntarily by local residents.

While acknowledging that these are tough economic times at the moment, any donations to this cause, would be greatly appreciated.