Sports fields enter the council’s arena

By Paul Dunlop
MOVES are afoot to establish new sporting fields on the outskirts of Pakenham.
About 10 hectares of land in the south west of the town is to be developed into centres for soccer, cricket and tennis under a sports strategy for the growth corridor.
Cardinia Shire Council is seeking State Government permission to rezone the two parcels of land.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said last week the move to rezone the land was “another example” of council’s commitment to building important recreation facilities.
Blueprints for the new facilities are to be drawn up over the next 12 months.
Under the plans, eight hectares of land in Henry Road, next to the Pakenham Bypass, will be made into playing fields for soccer and cricket.
A twohectare site along the proposed extension of Webster Way will provide a new home for tennis.
Residents in the rapidly growing area around the Heritage Springs, Blue Horizons and Henty Park estates should benefit most from the facilities.
The move comes as the council begins to grapple with what will be one of the most pressing issues of the area’s transformation from country to city.
The council last year adopted a strategy to combat what is forecast to be a massive need to increase sports facilities in the growth corridor over the next 15 to 20 years.
Studies have shown that as the population grows, space will need to be found for a further 90 hectares of recreational land – a huge rise on the existing 35 hectares.
Pressure is already mounting in Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer to find space for the growing number of keen young footballers, netballers, tennis and cricket enthusiasts.
Cr Owen said the shire’s population was expected to top 100,000 by 2030.
He acknowledged the challenge ahead but said the council was very aware of its responsibility.
“Council is committed to improving recreation facilities,” Cr Owen said.