SHIRE OF YARRA RANGES MONTROSE RECREATION RESERVE MASTERPLANmontrosecricketclub.org/pdf/Montrose Recreation Reserve Master Pl… · Report by : Michael Smith and Associates Landscape

Report by :

Michael Smith and Associates Landscape Architecture & Urban Design 5 Jervis Street, Camberwell 3124.

Tel : 9830 0414, 9889 6106

Fax : 9830 2555, Mobile : 0418 172 863

Email : [email protected]

In association with:

Adrian Fernon ASR Research 7/321 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181

Tel: 9510 4440, 0419 137218

Fax: 9510 4418

Email: [email protected]

April 2004

SHIRE OF YARRA RANGES

MONTROSE RECREATION RESERVEMASTERPLAN

Table of Contents

SECTION ONE - INTRODUCTION............................................................................... 3

1.1 Purpose and Objectives of Study ...................................................................................................3

1.2 Montrose Recreation Reserve .........................................................................................................3

1.3 Masterplan Context ..........................................................................................................................4

1.4 Project Methodology ........................................................................................................................4

SECTION TWO – PROJECT DEFINITION................................................................... 7

2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................7

2.2 Outcomes of Meeting.......................................................................................................................7

SECTION THREE - LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................ 9

3.1 Purpose of Review............................................................................................................................9

3.2 Documents.........................................................................................................................................9

3.3 Implications of Review for Masterplan .......................................................................................15

SECTION FOUR - LEISURE TRENDS/ DEMOGRAPHICS......................................16

4.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................16

4.2 Leisure Trends.................................................................................................................................16

4.3 Demographics .................................................................................................................................18

4.4 Implications for Masterplan ..........................................................................................................19

SECTION FIVE - THE RESERVE..................................................................................21

5.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................21

5.2 Development ...................................................................................................................................21

5.3 Users..................................................................................................................................................22

5.4 Contribution to Development of Facilities.................................................................................23

5.5 Occupancy, Management and Maintenance Arrangements.....................................................23

5.6 Conclusions......................................................................................................................................24

SECTION SIX - EXISTING CONDITIONS.................................................................. 25

6.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................25

6.2 Condition Assessment....................................................................................................................25

6.3 Summary...........................................................................................................................................30

SECTION SEVEN - CONSULTATION......................................................................... 32

7.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................32

7.2 Council Departments .....................................................................................................................32

Montrose Recreation Reserve Masterplan Final Report

2

7.3 User clubs.........................................................................................................................................34

7.4 Associations .....................................................................................................................................37

7.5 Local Interest and Other User Groups .......................................................................................38

7.6 Local Residents................................................................................................................................41

7.7 Summary...........................................................................................................................................42

SECTION EIGHT – MASTERPLAN OPTIONS........................................................... 47

8.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................47

8.2 Assessment.......................................................................................................................................47

SECTION NINE - MASTERPLAN ................................................................................ 58

9.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................58

9.2 Priorities............................................................................................................................................58

9.3 Masterplan........................................................................................................................................59

9.4 Maintenance Regimes.....................................................................................................................59

9.5 Management of Reserve.................................................................................................................60

9.6 Other matters...................................................................................................................................61

9.7 Recommendations ..........................................................................................................................61

APPENDICES .................................................................................................................. 66

Appendix A – Residents’ Survey...............................................................................................................67


3

SECTION ONE - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose and Objectives of Study

The purpose of the study was to produce a cohesive plan to guide the long term redevelopment

of the Montrose Recreation Reserve. The objectives of the study as indicated in the project brief

were to:

• Assess the condition of the Reserve and its facilities from a landscape, functional, access,

structural, environmental and safety perspective

• Identify whether there are any gaps in recreation provision in the Reserve and how they

could be addressed in the Reserve

• Identify the facility needs of existing users groups and how these needs can be addressed

• Investigate opportunities to consolidate existing facilities

• Use this research to prepare a masterplan for the Reserve which contains a costed and

prioritised list of development works, a recommended maintenance regime and a

suggested management model.

1.2 Montrose Recreation Reserve

Montrose Recreation Reserve is a 10ha park located on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road,

Montrose approximately 500m to the south east of the Montrose Shopping Centre (see Map 1).

Access to and through the Reserve is well provided for. Vehicles can enter via Devenish Rd or

through the main entrance off Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd and travel through the Reserve on

sealed and gravel tracks. A number of tracks within the bushland area connect to the corners of

the site, enabling convenient access for pedestrian movement to and from Stradbroke Road,

Aileen Avenue, Devonish Avenue and Mt Dandenong Road.

The Reserve comprises a large area of bushland, one senior size football/cricket oval, a smaller

playing field which is used for sub-junior football training, seven tennis courts, two outdoor

netball courts, pavilion, tennis clubhouse, scout hall, playground, picnic areas and carparks. The

Reserve offers a diversity of active and passive recreation experiences from competitive and

social sporting activities to walking through the bushland.


4

1.3 Masterplan Context

The decision by Council to undertake this masterplanning process resulted from a

recommendation in the Council’s Open Space Strategy and requests from user groups to improve

the condition of the playing fields and facilities at the Reserve. The masterplan will be the second

planning document that has been developed for the Reserve in the past 15 years. The first plan

was produced in 1987 and is discussed more fully in Section 3.

1.4 Project Methodology

The methodology for the development of the masterplan was divided into nine related stages. A

brief summary of the stages is as follows:

Stage 1 - Project Definition meeting

A meeting was held with the project manager and committee for the purpose of clarifying the

objectives of the masterplanning process and discussing in detail any key/sensitive issues that

needed to be addressed or taken into consideration during the masterplanning process.

Stage 2 - Literature Review

Council files, strategy documents, operational policies, funding policies, budgets, surveys etc that

had relevance to the masterplan were reviewed. The purpose of the review was to ensure that

the masterplan was consistent with the recommendations, strategic directions or policy positions

that had already been adopted by Council.

Stage 3 - History of development

The history of the development and use of Montrose Recreation Reserve was documented.

Stage 4 - Leisure trends/Demographic projections

The demographic characteristics of the Montrose area were analysed and the implications of

these characteristics for the future development of the Reserve were identified. General and local

leisure trends that have implications for the Reserve were also identified.


5

Stage 5 - Existing conditions/use

The existing conditions at and use of the Reserve were described. This description had the

following components:

• An existing conditions plan which illustrates the components of the Reserve

• An assessment of the physical condition of the individual components of the Reserve

• An analysis of the regular and casual usage of the component areas of the Reserve

Stage 6 - Consultation

User clubs, relevant Council officers, other interested group and residents were consulted about

their use of the Reserve and the improvements that were needed.

Stage 7 - Findings/Major Issues

The findings of the previous research were documented in a progress report. Included in this

report was a list of the works recommended by key stakeholders and an assessment of the merit

of each works item. The project management team discussed the report and agreed on the

recommended works

Stage 8 - Draft Report

A draft report was compiled which drew together the information presented in the previous

stages and contained a masterplan which illustrated the proposed works. The report was

discussed in detail with the project team and suggested deletions and additions were noted.

Stage 9 - Final Report

The final report was compiled and included the changes suggested during the consideration of

the draft report.


6

Map 1 – Location of Reserve


7

SECTION TWO – PROJECT DEFINITION

2.1 Introduction

This section summarises the outcomes of the project definition meeting between the consultant

team and the project committee. The purpose of the meeting was to:

• Clarify the objectives of the study and formally agree on the project methodology

• Discuss the background to the study and the key issues that needed to be taken into

consideration or addressed in the masterplanning process

• Discuss plans that Council had for the redevelopment of the Reserve

• Discuss Council policies or adopted strategy plans that had relevance to the masterplan

• Receive preliminary feedback from the project manager and steering committee on the

strengths and weaknesses of Montrose Reserve and what improvements should be made.

2.2 Outcomes of Meeting

The outcomes of the meeting were as follows:

• The masterplan was to be a 5–10 year staged development plan. The plan should draw

and build on the findings and principles expressed in the Open Space Strategy and

Corporate Plan and achieve an appropriate balance between active sport and passive

recreation

• It was important that the plan contain practical and implementable recommendations

which are based on a detailed analysis of local recreation needs and an assessment of the

condition of the Reserve

• Key issues/questions that the plan should address in addition to the facility needs of

users were as follows:

– The need for public toilets in the Reserve and their most appropriate location

– The condition of the main playing field during the wetter winter months

– The function of the second training field. Is there a need for and is it feasible to

upgrade the field to make it suitable for senior training and a wider range of junior

games?

– The management of the bushland areas in the Reserve

– The safety problems associated with the entrance to the Reserve


8

– The visual unattractiveness and lack of use of the picnic/BBQ area at the back of

the pavilion

– The lack of an appropriate and appealing playground

– The lack of skate/BMX facilities in Montrose as identified in the Skate/BMX

Strategy (2002)

• Council has no current plans to carry out any major works at the Reserve and was

looking for the masterplan to provide it with prioritised list of works.

• Council has established a formal policy which guides the general level of support that it

will provide for the development of facilities at Council owned or controlled sporting

reserves. This policy should be used as the basis for determining the funding sources for

any development works proposed for the Reserve

• The masterplan must take into consideration the current and projected demographic

characteristics of the local and district communities served by the Reserve


9

SECTION THREE - LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Purpose of Review

The purpose of the literature review was to ensure that the masterplan’s recommendations were

consistent with and took into consideration the relevant recommendations, strategic directions

and policy positions of previous planning processes which have already adopted by Council.

3.2 Documents

The following documents/files were reviewed:

• Council operational files relating to the Reserve

• Montrose Town Centre and Reserve Study (1987)

• Vision 2020

• Corporate Plan 2003-2006

• Council’s Open Space Strategy (1998)

• Council’s Leisure Plan (1996)

• Getting Yarra Ranges Active (1999)

• Skate and BMX Strategy (2002)

• Playground Development Strategy (2001)

• Sportsfields policies – Capital funding of development works

The details of these documents and their relevance for this study are outlined below:

Operational files

The operational files contain information about the works that have been undertaken at the

Reserve over the past thirty years and the previous masterplan that has been developed for the

Reserve. The files were particularly useful in piecing together the history of the development of

the Reserve (see Section 5) and understanding the nature and breadth of concerns that the

users/residents have about the facilities at the Reserve.


10

Montrose Town Centre and Reserve Study (1987)

The major recommendations of Montrose Town Centre and Reserve Study (1987) which related

to the Reserve were as follows:

• Restore/rehabilitate the natural vegetation by:

– Grading and stabilising the debilitated areas

– Creating a pond in the creek

– Re-introducing vegetation to the creek to restore wildlife habitats

– Fencing areas which are being rehabilitated

– Providing properly constructed trails

• Rationalise path access to the Reserve. There should be a hierarchy of paths which also

act as fire trails

• Erect perimeter fencing

• Relocate the clubhouse to the east/north east where it is more visible, requires less

expensive road access and can serve tennis, netball, playground users as well as the

footballers/cricketers. The existing clubhouse visually and functionally divides the

Reserve in half and prohibits clear views beyond the site

• Improve the oval drainage

• Provide a new multipurpose cricket/football practice area to reduce the load on the

existing oval. The practice area by virtue of its proximity to the town centre would also

act as the village green and provide space for other town activities such as carnivals,

markets, outdoor exhibitions etc

• Relocate the netball courts to an area close to the tennis courts to share carparking and

other infrastructure. Substantial tree planting would be needed to soften the visual

impact of the relocated courts

Vision 2020

This document provides the Council’s overall vision of the Shire in 2020 and its individual

visions for the key themes of social fabric and quality of life, environmental stewardship, the built

environment, the local economy, tourism and culture, a living and learning community and safe

and accessible Shire.

Of most relevance to this masterplan are the following visions relating to social fabric and

environmental stewardship:


11

• By 2020, a range of recreation and cultural activities will be available to suit all ages,

interests and abilities. Community participation in passive and active recreation will be

steadily growing and contributing significantly to community health and wellbeing

• There will be opportunities for young people to undertake activities which provide a

productive and positive outlet for the energy and natural risk-taking needs of youth

• Major improvements to the environment will have largely been achieved through the

effort of local communities.

• Heritage value will be attributed not only to buildings but also gardens and trees and

broad landscapes. Valuing and preserving local heritage will be strengthening the identity

of local communities as well as providing a point of interest for residents and tourists

alike

Corporate Plan 2003-2006

The Corporate Plans details the vision, mission, and values of the Shire and the key actions that

will be taken by the Shire in achieving the vision during the period 2003-2006.

The vision talks of Yarra Ranges being a dynamic and vibrant municipality based on strong local

communities and sustained by a rich social fabric. The mission states that Council will work in

partnership with the community; encourage the viability of townships; foster a safe environment

with appropriate neighbourhood facilities; and provide community services and facilities that are

flexible and locally appropriate to the needs of the community.

The Plan indicates that Council, in achieving it vision and fulfilling its mission, will adhere to a

strict set of values. These include embracing the triple bottom line concept of sustainability;

adopting sound business principles in the management of assets; providing efficient, quality

services in response to community needs; and committing to excellence and best practice.

Yarra Ranges Open Space Strategy (1998)

The aim of the Open Space Strategy was to analyse the style, condition, type, quantity and usage

of Council’s open space network and outline policies, strategic directions and recommendations

about its future management and development.

The principles, findings and recommendations of the Strategy which have relevance to the

masterplan are as follows:


12

Guiding principles

• The Shire will continue to provide a diverse range of open space to cater for community

needs

• Sports reserves should be developed with a ‘multi-use’ focus

• Maintenance and service levels will be monitored to ensure areas do not become

degraded, safe environments are provided and opportunities for raising standards are

pursued

• The Shire will be committed to the preservation, enhancement and sensitive

management of natural areas and sites of environmental and heritage significance to

ensure an ecologically sustainable environment. Where other types of open space are

linked to the natural area, there will be sensitive management in relation to use and

development

• Sporting trends will change and planning should be for the long term and facilities

should be flexible in design to enable a range of uses

• Any new development should identify and ensure funds are available for ongoing

maintenance

Strategic directions (General)

• Provide management prescriptions for sensitive areas where there is conflict of use

• Allocate more resources to less structured areas of open space, including picnic areas and

shelters, trails and pathways, activity areas for youth and improved playgrounds

• Provide high quality, safe open space and related facilities to increase appeal and

minimise risk

• Establish partnerships and networks with other agencies, municipalities and community

groups, recognising that Council does not have the resources to solely manage and

develop such major resources

Strategic directions (Sporting facilities, community parks, natural areas)

• Enhance the standard of sports reserves and improve the consistency of management

• Broaden opportunities for the development of sport

• Reinforce the community’s role in the management of parks

• Better understand conservation assets, issues, needs and opportunities

• Enhance the amenity and management of natural areas


13

• Improve vegetation quality, wildlife habitats and general biodiversity

• Encourage greater community involvement in environmental management projects

Recommendations

• Identify opportunities for incorporating creative landscaping and art works linked to

open space facilities such as playgrounds or park furniture

• Upgrade regional and township sports grounds as the first priority for improving sports

reserves (upgrade of the Montrose Recreation Reserve recommended for 1998/99)

• Assess and prioritise options for providing and upgrading amenities at reserves

(changerooms, toilets and sporting structures)

• Undertake a detailed review of outdoor courts (i.e. tennis courts, netball courts,

basketball courts) regarding location, accessibility, use, gaps in provision, condition,

degree of multiuse, management and opportunities for consolidation

Yarra Ranges Leisure Plan 1996

The purpose of the Leisure Plan was to identify the leisure needs and priorities of the Yarra

Ranges community and provide a set of strategic recommendations to address these priorities.

The plan contains a number of general recommendations relating to sports field policy issues and

specific recommendations relating to certain reserves. The plan does not contain any specific

references to the Montrose Recreation Reserve or other sports facilities in Montrose.

Getting Yarra Ranges Active 1999

The strategy is aimed at increasing the participation of Yarra Ranges in recreation activities. A

major objective of the strategy is to encourage greater resident involvement in walking and

cycling. The Strategy recommends that Council achieve this objective through

organising/supporting community events and the provisions of suitable facilities.

Skate and BMX Strategy 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy for the provision of skate and BMX facilities

in Yarra Ranges. The strategy recommends a number of locations for the provision of skate and

BMX facilities. Montrose Reserve is a suggested location for a local level facility.


14

Playground Development Strategy 2001

This document provides a strategic framework for the development and management of

playspaces in Yarra Ranges. The document contains the following recommendations which have

relevance to the provision of playgrounds in Montrose Reserve:

• That Council adopt an environment based playspace development model which provides

each of the following elements/features in the design - equipment for active play, open

space, explorative creative play; and caters for the adult caregiver

• That Council develop an action plan to promote appropriate playspaces and picnic spots

to visitors and tourists

• That shade, and where possible shade trees, be planned for in the design of all Council

playspaces

Sportsfields policies – Capital funding of development works

This policy outlines the principles that Council applies when determining the contributions that

Council would make to capital development works at sporting reserves. The principles are:

• Sporting and/or community groups seeking to establish new or upgraded sports facilities

will generally be required to contribute a minimum of 25% of the total cost

• The proportion of Council contribution will depend on the degree of benefit and access

to the community as whole

• Council will only contribute to facilities for which a need has been identified and/or

agreed to by Council

• Facilities that enhance the general amenity and appeal of an active sports reserve are

more likely to be supported by Council

• Funding allocations will consider the degree of support to women’s, junior and less

traditional sports

• Council is more likely to give support to shared use sports a facilities i.e. where a number

of groups are involved in planning and contributing to the facility and a range of groups

are catered for

• Council will only contribute to facilities in which development objectives and business

planning has occurred


15

3.3 Implications of Review for Masterplan

The implications of the literature review for the masterplan are as follows:

• The outstanding recommendations from the 1987 masterplan should be examined and if

still relevant, be given consideration in this masterplan

• Council’s Vision 2020 statement speaks of more residents participating in active and

passive recreation, greater opportunities being provided for young people to recreate,

and facilities with conservation value being protected and enhanced. The Corporate Plan

speaks of Council working in partnership with local communities to improve facilities

and committing to excellence if facility and service provision. These goals and principles

should underpin the masterplan for Montrose Reserve

• Council’s Open Space Strategy and Leisure Plan contain a number of design and policy

principles relating to open space and sporting facility provision. To be consistent with

these principles, the Montrose Reserve masterplan would need to:

– Place a special emphasis on enhancing the less structured areas of the Reserve

– Provide a high quality setting which is safe and suitable for the users’ needs

– Ensure that the relationship between the bushland and active areas are sensitively

managed

– Ensure that the Reserve and its facilities continue to have a multiuse focus

– Encourage walking for recreational purposes by providing walking paths

– Identify opportunities for creative landscaping and artworks

• The principles expressed in the Playground Strategy should be used as the basis for the

designing and siting of the playground in the Reserve

• A local skate facility, as recommended in the Skate Strategy, should be included in the

masterplan

• Consideration should be given to using the draft Capital Funding Policy for Sportsfields

as the basis of apportioning costs for works identified in the masterplanning process.


16

SECTION FOUR - LEISURE TRENDS/ DEMOGRAPHICS

4.1 Introduction

The purpose of this section was to analyse recent general and local leisure and demographic

trends and discuss their implications for the future use of Montrose Reserve. The information

contained in this section was collected from Council records and reports, leisure journals, and

ABS publications, and interviews with Council staff and representatives of peak and local

sporting associations.

4.2 Leisure Trends

There are a number of general sporting and outdoor recreation trends which should be taken into

consideration in the masterplan. These are as follows:

4.2.1 General Leisure Trends

Informal recreation

• Demand for leisure activities which require minimal effort and commitment is

increasing. There is also a growing interest in environment related activities such as

hiking and bush walking

• More people are choosing to recreate in informal and unstructured ways. As a

consequence, activities such as recreational cycling, jogging and walking in parks for

exercise and pleasure are becoming more prevalent

• The rate of pet ownership, particularly as companion animals for older adults, is

increasing. Therefore, exercising dogs in parks etc has become a more popular activity

• The popularity of activities that families can participate in together such as social tennis,

picnicking, camping and similar outdoor activities continues to grow

• Adult participation in structured recreation on weekends is significantly declining. This

appears to be caused by an increase in the time that men and women work on weekends,

men spend caring for children and undertaking their hobbies, and men and women

spend attending entertainment and cultural venues

• Generally, adults are remaining fitter and more active until later in life. This is leading to

an increased participation in veteran's sports and more frequent use of open space areas

for walking, relaxation and social activities


17

Active sport (confined to sports played at Montrose Reserve)

Football

• Auskick club numbers (U10) and youth team (11-18 years) numbers in the Melbourne

metropolitan area have increased significantly over the past ten years (Auskick clubs 87%

increase and youth 60%)

• Senior team numbers were declining gradually until 1998 but have increased since that

time (26% over the past two years)

• The increase in participation has not been uniform across the metropolitan area. The

main growth has occurred in the residential growth corridors. In established areas,

junior and senior player numbers have slightly declined. Cricket

• Senior player numbers are stable. Numbers playing in veterans’ competitions are

increasing at a slow rate. Numbers playing traditional senior cricket are declining by a

similar rate

• Junior competition player numbers are increasing slowly (4% in 2000/2001 and 2% in

1999/2000)

• Veterans’ cricket is growing in acceptance with competitions run in the Eastern Suburbs,

including the Yarra Ranges, proving popular. Cricket Victoria predicts that veterans’

competitions will eventually be established in all the metropolitan regions resulting in a

greater demand for cricket facilities

• Women’s cricket is slowly increasing in popularity.

Tennis

• Participation in competition tennis has declined in recent decades. Weekend tennis, in

particular, has lost popularity. Conversely, night tennis has increased in popularity.

Participation in social tennis is stable but junior numbers are starting to increase as a

result of a stronger emphasis by clubs on coaching

• Participants in tennis tend to have higher than average household incomes. Therefore,

demand for tennis facilities is increasing in suburban areas which are experiencing

gentrification


18

Netball

• The number of players affiliated with Netball Victoria is declining. The decrease is

mainly occurring in the senior competitions. Netball Victoria attributes this to:

− Some women preferring to play in private unaffiliated competitions which offer

childcare

− Difficulties in attracting voluntary coaches and club administrators

− Increasing female employment rates

• Junior competitions remain strong, particularly the netta program for beginners.

4.2.3 Local Leisure Trends

Council's recreation services staff and officials from local sporting associations indicated that the

following trends are occurring in the Yarra Ranges area:

• Non-structured recreational activities such as recreational cycling, walking and running

are continuing to grow in popularity.

• Participation levels in junior football and cricket are increasing slowly. Senior numbers

in football appear to be stable. Senior numbers in cricket are increasing. This is placing

pressure on Council to provide additional grounds

• Tennis numbers across the municipality are slowly declining. Clubs with strong coaching

programs, like Montrose Tennis Club, are defying this trend

• Junior soccer is growing quickly in popularity. Council cannot satisfy demand because of

a lack of suitable facilities

• The regional development officers for the major sports (cricket, football, tennis and

soccer) predict that interest in their sports will increase (particularly soccer which

anticipates a significant increase) over the next decade. However, they expressed a

concern that this interest may not translate into higher player numbers because of the

lack of playing facilities.

4.3 Demographics

An analysis of 1996 and 2001 Census data for the Montrose postcode area indicates the

following:

• In 2001, Montrose had a population size of 6451, a slight increase (12 people) since 1996

• The proportion of residents born overseas declined from 17.3% in 1996 to 16% in 2001

• The proportion of residents aged 17 years or less fell from 29.6 in 1996 to 27.7 in 2001


19

• The proportion of residents aged over 65 only slightly increased from 8% in 1996 to 8.4

in 2001

Demographic projections for the Montrose postcode area indicate that the following population

changes will occur over the next 15 years:

• The total population size will increase by 150 people or 2%

• The children (0-9 years) and youth populations (10-19 years) will decline significantly –

20% and 23% falls respectively

• The young adult (20-29) and middle age cohorts (20-29 and 30-39) will also decline –

10%, 13% and 11%

• The elderly cohorts (60-69 and 70+) will increase significantly – 108% and 74%

Table 1 – Population projections

Age cohort Population size Increase %

2003 2021

0-99 7303 7451 2.0

0-9 876 704 -19.6

10-19 1156 887 -23.3

20-29 951 855 -10.1

30-39 988 856 -13.4

40-49 1222 1084 -11.3

50-59 1071 1130 5.5

60-69 387 806 108.3

70+ 652 1129 73.2

4.4 Implications for Masterplan

The implications of these leisure trends and demographics for the masterplan are as follows:

• The ageing of the Montrose community and the growing popularity of activities such as

walking for exercise and strolling will place increased demand on the bushland and other

passive areas of Montrose Reserve. This will heighten the need for improvements to the

passive areas, such as the construction of pathways and installation of park furniture, and

better control of people movement through the more sensitive bushland areas

• The population projections for Montrose and the general and local sporting trends for

the sports played at the Reserve present a mixed picture about future demand for the


20

playing fields and pavilions. The fall in the population of the active sport age cohorts

indicates that player numbers in the clubs competing at the Reserve may decline.

However, the decline in player numbers may be counteracted by an increase in the

popularity of the sports played at the Reserve (which is occurring now with cricket and

football) or players being attracted to the clubs which play at the Reserve because of their

good reputations. This mixed picture suggests that Council should retain the status quo

at the Reserve in terms of its component facilities. Also, it should not undertake any

works at the Reserve which reduce its flexibility. It may be necessary in the future, to

change the use of areas in the reserve if demand for the different sports played at the

Reserve significantly increases or declines.


21

SECTION FIVE - THE RESERVE

5.1 Introduction

The purpose of this section is to outline the history, use of and operational rules relating to the

Reserve and identify any issues which have implications for the physical development of the

Reserve.

5.2 Development

The following table outlines the history of the development of the Reserve and significant events

associated with the Reserve. The information has been gathered from Council files, interviews

with user clubs and discussion with local residents.

Table 2 – History of Development of the Reserve

Year Event

1907 Tennis Club establishes a 2 court facility at the Reserve. Tin shed used as a clubhouse 1930 Football Club forms and uses original oval at front of Reserve. A small timber room split

into 2 areas is used as a club room 1950 Weatherboard tennis clubhouse erected Mid 1960s Main oval developed Cricket club forms Mid 1970s 2 netball courts are constructed at the Reserve. Netball Club shifts from local schools to

the Reserve 1975 Cricket/football pavilion constructed Present tennis clubhouse constructed 1983 Council gives consideration to constructing a second oval in the bushland area.

Considerable opposition from residents and Montrose Environment Group. Council does nor proceed with development

1985 Management Committee formed under the provision of Local Govt Act to manage the Reserve

1987 First masterplan developed for Reserve 1995 Management Committee terminated after provisions relating to the operation of

Committees are removed from the Local Govt Act. Council takes on direct management role

1995 ‘D’ Men’s coterie group formed to raise money for works at the Reserve and support junior players

1998-2002 Drainage works are undertaken to improve surface of ovals. Clubs moved off oval during 1999 to allow redevelopment works to occur

1999 Montrose Reserve Users Committee established to lobby Council for capital upgrade of Reserve

1999 Cricket nets relocated to current site 1999 War Memorial moved from the front picnic area to Town Centre 2001 Small training field developed Mobile telephone tower and brick timekeepers’ area constructed


22

5.3 Users

Long term users

The first long term user of the Reserve was the Montrose Tennis Club which established a tennis

facility at the Reserve in 1907. The other long term users began their occupancy of the Reserve

in the following years:

• Montrose Football Club – 1930

• Montrose Cricket Club - mid 1960s

• Montrose Netball Club – Mid 1970s

Current

Table 3 provides information on the regular users (active sport) of the Reserve, the areas they

occupy and their times of use.

Table 3 – Reserve users

Club

Player numbers

Teams Facilities used When used

Montrose Football Club

285 2 senior 1 colt (U/18) 8 junior

Main Oval Small Oval Pavilion

Training – Tue, Thu Games – Sat, Sun

Montrose Cricket Club

100 2 men’s 5 boys

Main Oval Practice nets Pavilion

Training – Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu Games – Sat, Sun

Montrose Netball Club

170 14 junior 2 senior

Netball courts Training 4.30pm - 6.00pm 4 nights per week between March – November

Montrose Tennis Club

260 - Tennis courts Tennis pavilion

Competition – Sat morning. Mon , Tues, Wed, Thurs Coaching – most days

The facilities in the Reserve are also regularly or casually used by a number of non-sporting

groups. These include:

• Montrose Scout Group (use Scout Hall)

• CFA as a staging facility during emergencies

• Local industry/community groups for Christmas parties

• Billanook Primary School for school sport


23

5.4 Contribution to Development of Facilities

All the major user clubs have contributed to the development of facilities at the Reserve. These

contributions were as follows:

Table 4 – Contributions by User Clubs

Clubs/groups Contributions

Montrose Football Club (Includes contributions by Coterie Group)

Construction of scoreboard Erection of coaches’ boxes Development of rear training oval Erection of training lights on rear and main oval Laying of asphalt around main pavilion Erection of treated pine seating around main oval Concreting of spoon drain for drainage to tow perimeter section of oval Construction of a new visitors' changeroom Widening of original building by covering of verandahs Refurbishment of kitchen area and bar area Internal painting and carpet replacement Demolition of old scoreboard and cricket nets

Montrose Cricket Club

Erection of 3rd practice net

Montrose Tennis Club $5000 towards the construction of the clubhouse (total cost $40000 in 1975) Erection of floodlights over courts Construction of court 7 Resurfacing of courts

Montrose Netball Club $500 in the 1970s towards the cost of constructing the netball courts

Montrose Scout Club

Constructed and subsequently maintained the scout hall and surrounds

5.5 Occupancy, Management and Maintenance Arrangements

The playing fields and pavilion are currently allocated on a seasonal basis to the football and

cricket clubs. The tennis courts and clubhouse are leased to the tennis club. The term of the

lease is 5 years. The netball courts are treated as free to the public courts. There is no occupancy

arrangement between Council and the netball club. Irregular users like schools and social groups

are required to book the Reserve.

Council’s Recreation Unit is responsible for the allocation of the Reserve and dealing with

complaints relating to the sports components of the Reserve. The Parks and Bushlands Unit is

responsible for maintenance of the Reserve with the exception of the built facilities. The Asset

Management Unit is responsible for maintenance of built facilities including security lighting and

the cleaning of the public toilets. User clubs are responsible for non-structural internal building

maintenance and cleaning of built facilities. Council arranges for collection of litter and removal

of rubbish from park litter bins. The Tennis Club maintains the en-tout-cas court surfaces.


24

5.6 Conclusions

The investigation into the history and use of the Reserve indicated the following:

• The Reserve is nearly a century old. Its development over this period has been typical of

most local recreation reserves – initially modest facilities which expand and are upgraded

as the clubs at the Reserve grow in membership and users’ expectations heighten about

the quality of facilities that should be provided

• The main user clubs have been operating from the Montrose Recreation Reserve for

significant periods. They are viable clubs which have grown significantly in membership

since their inception. There is no suggestion that they will not continue to operate

strongly in the future

• There has been considerable club and community input into the development of facilities

at the Reserve, particularly by the football and tennis clubs and the D men’s coterie

group. This input demonstrates the importance of the Reserve to the local community

• The main oval is heavily used, particularly in winter. As many as 6 football games are

played on the main ground on any weekend. This is an unsustainable load for a high

quality football ground, let alone a ground that has inadequate grass cover and drainage

• The picnic area near the entrance to the Reserve is a popular stopping point for people

travelling through the Dandenongs and in the lead up to Christmas, becomes an very

popular location for social group Christmas parties. The enhancement of the picnic area

needs to be given prominence in the masterplan

• Montrose Reserve is a staging facility for the police and CFA during emergences. This

role needs to be considered in the development of the masterplan (see Section 7.5.4 for

more discussion on this issue)

• The occupancy and management arrangements are typical of Council owned/club run

facilities. The only exception to this is the netball club which regularly uses the netball

courts but has no occupancy arrangement with Council. Council may wish to address

this anomaly.


25

SECTION SIX - EXISTING CONDITIONS

6.1 Introduction

This section describes the condition of the various component areas and facilities of the Reserve

from a structural, landscape character/design and horticultural quality perspective. The

assessment has been made from inspections of the component facilities by the consultant team

and reference to condition reports already undertaken by Council.

6.2 Condition Assessment

Boundary fencing

The boundary fencing consists of a number of fencing types. These include:

• Mount Dandenong Tourist Road - Cyclone mesh fence to approximately 2 metres in

height between the corner of the Scout Hall to the access road. The fence is reasonably

old and is falling down in parts

• East boundary - The Mount Dandenong Tourist Road to Aileen Avenue boundary has

separate residential paling fences lining the site’s perimeter. They are in a fair to good

condition

• Southeast boundary - Aileen Avenue frontage has a wire strand and timber post fence

with breaks at the Reserve’s corners and a midway point to facilitate pedestrian access.

The fencing is in good condition and allows visual permeability

• Southwest boundary - The fencing along Stradbroke Avenue is wire strand and timber

post. The fencing is in good condition and allows visual permeability into the Reserve

• West boundary - Properties on Stradbroke Avenue with rear boundaries have post and

wire fencing associated with significant stands of trees (Pittosporum undulatum). Fences are

generally in fair to poor condition.

Entrance to Reserve

The main vehicular entrance is located at the midpoint of the reserve’s northeast boundary. An

asphalt road provides access to the Reserve’s clubrooms, pavilion, playing fields and bushland

reserve. The main entrance is poorly defined and traffic safety concerns have been identified as

part of this study. The access road reverts to a gravel track around the oval and near the toilet

block. In lower lying areas the tracks and turning areas are muddy in wet weather. The other

vehicular access is via Devonish Street, between the shopping centre and retirement village. This


26

entrance is less defined and infrequently used. Pedestrian entry points at key edges and corners

of the Reserve provide a good diagonal flow for pedestrians.

Carparks and access roads

Car parking is currently available in five areas of the Reserve. These include:

• Near entrance - Gravel area north of the playground and barbeque area. Approximate

capacity 17 cars. The gravel surface is in good condition

• Tennis Clubrooms - Approximate capacity is 14 cars. The gravel surface is in good

condition

• Toilet block area. - A gravel turn-around area separates the toilet block and the main

pavilion. The gravel access road to the pavilion and parking area surrounding the toilet

block is poorly defined and becomes muddy in wet weather

• Around the oval - Parking extends the full circumference of the oval except for the

frontage to the pavilion. For the majority of the access track and parking, drainage is

reasonably good. Car parking at popular football games can encroach into the bushland

area with potential to compromise the health of perimeter trees. The distinct asset to the

perimeter parking is the complete loop or circuit route facilitating relatively easy access

and parking. Approximate capacity, excluding pavilion area is 130 cars

• Pavilion and netball court area - Approximate capacity 15 cars.

Picnic areas/Playgrounds

The picnic ground and playground are located on gently sloping ground (with a backdrop of

indigenous trees and Pittosporums) to the southeast of the main access road. The picnic ground

comprises a barbeque and limited seating. It has little shade and presents as an uninviting space.

The playground equipment is well maintained but layout and equipment design should be

checked against current Australian Standards. The playground is limited in the interest it would

provide to younger children and its capacity to cope with unsupervised use by large numbers of

children.

Sports fields

The Reserve has two playing fields - the main oval, which is used by the cricket and football

clubs, and a small field, which is used for junior training.


27

The main oval is fenced and has perimeter parking. The field is 141m long (which is relatively

short for senior size ground) and 127m wide. There is a substantial longitudinal/diagonal fall of 6

metres, however, in spite of this, the oval is poorly drained, particularly in winter. Part of the

underlying drainage problem to both playing fields is that the Reserve was founded on a swamp.

This limits sub-surface moisture movement through the deeper soil profile as soil is likely to be

fine alluvial silt and constantly at saturation point.

Irrigation and drainage for sportsfields

The main oval has quick coupler irrigation and a history of poor drainage. Recently, additional

sub-surface agricultural drains were installed. The oval is still muddy in wet weather. The small

training field is also poorly drained in wet weather.

Grass cover/surface

A turf management company assessed the condition of the main oval in 1999. The findings of

the assessment were as follows:

• The turf cover was weak and patchy. The cover consists of rye, poa annua and couch.

The cover on the west side of the ground and the north goal was extremely poor. The

drainage lines were bare

• There was considerable wear and tear to the surface of the west side of the ground. This

area was receiving too much wear

• There are very few weeds in the surface

• The soil is compacted and would benefit from aeration

• The surface falls from east to west. Subsidence had occurred along the drainage lines

The assessment recommended that Council in the short term, monitor usage of the ground and

in the long term, completely reconstruct the ground. Since the condition assessment, Council

has installed more drainage and the second ground has been developed. This has helped to

reduce the problems outlined above.

Training lights and towers

Tall lighting towers provide floodlights to the main oval. The towers appear to be structurally

sound. The condition of the floodlights needs to be determined.


28

Built facilities

The built facilities at the Reserve comprise the main pavilion, scout hall, the tennis clubhouse, the

toilet block, BBQ/rotunda, the scoreboard and the timekeeper’s facility.

The condition of the main pavilion, scout hall, bbq/rotunda, tennis clubhouse and toilet block

has recently been assessed by the Council’s building maintenance contractor. The works required

to upgrade these facilities to a sound structural and functional condition are outlined in Table 5.

Table 5 – Condition Assessment: Buildings

Facility Est total cost $

Works

Main pavilion

$15260 29 items, mostly small, such as repair of doors and lights, tiling, plumbing works etc. Main items are: • Installation of exit lighting - $4000 • Painting junior change room - $1200 • Treating for termites - $2500

Tennis pavilion

$845 9 minor items such as repair of doors and flywire

BBQ rotunda

$5585 6 items relating to painting and repair of roof. Main items are: • External painting - $2360 • Resurfacing cracked painting - $2500

Toilet block

$33315 11 items relating to general repair and replacement of plumbing items and disability access: • Provision of disabled access - $26500 • Repainting toilets - $2950

Scout hall

$8440 9 items relating to repair and painting. Main items are: • External painting - $4750 • Paint windows - $1350

Source – Council Building Maintenance Schedules 2003/4

The scoreboard is maintained by the football club and is in a good condition. The timekeeper’s

facility was recently constructed by Telstra (a mobile phone tower is erected on the roof) and also

is in a good condition.

Tennis Courts and lights

The seven tennis courts are well presented and maintained. The night lights are in good

condition and work effectively.


29

Netball courts

Two asphalt netball courts are located to the west side of the cricket and football pavilion. The

courts’ surface has deteriorated over time causing a heavily textured and slightly uneven surface,

making competitive play risky to personal injury.

Bushland/trees

The bushland area is seriously degraded in most parts by environmental weeds. There is a

portion close to the main oval which has a more diverse lower to middle storey of indigenous

plants. Some large Eucalyptus obliqua, Eucalyptus cephalocarpa and Eucalyptus goniocalyx have reached

the point of senescence and others have died some time ago and remain as “stick-like” forms.

Whilst of habitat value, dead trees also pose safety risk.

The watercourse floodway system running through the park is overgrown with various

environmental weeds. In the more open areas of the Reserve, the various specimen trees and

group of trees are in good condition. The dominant species is Eucalyptus cephalocarpa.

Signage/security lighting

Generally, signage concerning park regulations such as dogs on leads is adequate, however

signage at the front entrance and within the main access route into the park is inadequate and in

one case not relevant to the park’s current usage. There is no information about the significance

of the bushland area and no directional signage within the park.

Lighting in the park is restricted to the sports ground training lights to both the main oval and

second playing field. In other areas, including the car parking area at the tennis court, lighting is

deficient.

Park Furniture

The park’s picnic tables located at the play area are dated. Recently, the football club constructed

a considerable number of platform bench seats either side of the pavilion. Other areas of the

park, including the bushland area, do not have any seating or rubbish bins.


30

6.3 Summary

The condition assessment indicated that the Reserve has the following deficiencies which should

be addressed in the masterplan:

• The boundary fencing along Mt Dandenong Tourist Hwy is damaged and needs repair or

replacement

• The entrance to the Reserve is poorly defined and causes traffic safety problems

• The picnic facility at the font entrance is uninviting with poor landscaping, limited

seating and no shelter

• The playground is tired and lacks variety

• The gravel road to the pavilion and the parking area near the toilet block are poorly

defined and get muddy in wet weather

• The main sportsfield is short by senior football standards. The grass cover is patchy and

there is considerable diagonal fall.

• The toilet block is not wheelchair accessible and needs an upgrade. The pavilion has a

number of minor defects

• The surface of the netball courts is wearing and uneven in certain areas

• Environmental weeds seriously degrade areas of the bushland. Some of the large trees

have reached senescence and pose a safety risk

• The watercourse is littered and overgrown. Some of the pathways through the bush are

partially obstructed by shrubs and branches

• There is little signage, security lighting and park furniture through the Reserve


31

Map 2 – Condition Analysis


32

SECTION SEVEN - CONSULTATION

7.1 Introduction

The purpose of the consultation process was to identify:

• What key stakeholders (Council, users, residents, local sports associations etc) consider

to be the physical deficiencies at the Reserve

• The viability of the users clubs in terms of financial and administration capacity and

current and predicted player numbers

• The sports development plans and facility needs of the user clubs

• The improvements that the key stakeholders consider should be undertaken at the

Reserve over the next five to ten years

7.2 Council Departments

7.2.1 Recreation Unit

Relevant Officers from the Recreation Unit were asked to indicate that what they consider to be

the deficiencies of the Reserve and what works are needed. Their comments were as follows:

• Recent works have improved the drainage of the main oval. However, more

improvement is needed, particularly if the oval is to cater for a similar or increased load

in future years

• Poor drainage is a general problem throughout the Reserve. This problem needs to be

addressed in the masterplan

• A recent assessment by a turf contractor indicated that the main oval should be

reconstructed. This may be unaffordable. Additional drainage and re-profiling may be a

satisfactory solution given other priorities that Council has for upgrading township

grounds

• The public toilet is an eyesore and causes concern to all the user clubs. A new toilet that

is more accessible and attractive and can be better supervised is required

• The small training field is taking some of the training load off the main oval. However,

its capacity is limited because of poor drainage, lack of lights and small size. A decision

needs to be made about the function of the field and the feasibility and priority of

extending and upgrading it


33

• User clubs consider the entrance to the Reserve to be unsafe from a traffic flow

perspective. Some design changes are needed

• The rotunda/BBQ area at the back of the pavilion is unattractive and appears to receive

little use. The facility should be demolished or relocated to a more suitable location

• Users have indicated that the carparking lighting is poor, particularly the tennis courts

carpark. This should be improved

• The passive areas of the park need attention. Attractive features such as the bushland,

the avenue of trees near the entrance and the grass play areas should be enhanced

7.2.2 Parks and Bushlands Staff

Relevant Parks and Bushlands Staff were requested to comment on the condition of the open

space areas in the Reserve and suggest any improvements to the facilities at the Reserve and the

maintenance regime. Their responses were as follows:

• Some of the bushland area is weed infested and damaged. The weeds should be

eradicated and damaged areas rehabilitated with suitable indigenous vegetation. Areas

which are being rehabilitated should be fenced off. Special attention should be given to

improving the creek environs

• Movement through the bushland area should be encouraged but better controlled.

Pathways should be more defined and consideration given to reducing the number of

entrances and rationalising the pathway network. Detrimental activities such as

horseriding and BMX riding should be restricted

• Subsurface drainage of the main oval has been improved in recent years but could be

improved further with the space between the drains being reduced.

• The perimeter fence along the Mt Dandenong Tourist Highway is getting old and in

some areas is falling down. A decision needs to be made about whether the fence should

be replaced or removed.

• The main oval suffers from over-use. Extending and improving the second oval (better

drainage, more appropriate grass cover, training lights) would help. However, this work

would be ranked lowly on Council’s list of sportsfield improvements as Council’s priority

is to upgrade the main oval at district and town level sporting reserves

• The picnic area at the front of the Reserve is popular, particularly in summer for

Christmas social functions. This area needs to be enhanced

• The playground at the front of the Reserve is getting old and should be upgraded

• The public toilet block should be removed


34

• The netball courts are deteriorating. Consideration should be given to relocating them to

the area where the public toilets are now located

• Vehicle movement and parking in the Reserve should be better controlled.

Consideration should be given to asphalting the access roads and carparks in the Reserve

• The normal maintenance program for the playing fields, surrounds and amenities

consists of mowing the oval weekly, mowing the surrounds every 3 weeks, collecting

litter weekly, and cleaning the toilets twice weekly. The oval is topdressed, seeded and

fertilised annually and sprayed for weeds every 3 years. The Parks and Bushlands Unit is

satisfied with this program

• Council has engaged external contractors to maintain the bushland area. The contractors

submit a suggested plan of works and Council authorises part or the entire plan

depending on the available budget. Currently, the plan consists mainly of weed control

works and some follow up revegetation works. These works are performed at the time

of the year most suited to the particular weed or activity. The contractors are currently

moving through the better areas and are gradually working towards the more degraded

areas. Each year, they ensure that weed control is carried out in the previously treated

areas. The Parks Maintenance team picks up rubbish in the bushland area when doing

its regular maintenance in the rest of the reserve.

7.2.4 Building Maintenance Unit

The Building Maintenance Coordinator was asked to indicate what works he considered to be

required on the built facilities at the Reserve. He indicated that the condition of the individual

buildings ranged from good to excellent and that no major works were needed. He said the main

pavilion needed a number of minor improvements and these would be completed over the next

few years.

7.3 User clubs

Officials from the user clubs were asked to:

• Provide information about the history and current operation of their clubs

• Provide data on current player and predicted player numbers

• Comment about their use of the Reserve and the improvements they would like to see

occur at the Reserve.

Their responses are detailed in Table 6.


35

Table 6 in here


36

Table 6 in here


37

7.4 Associations

Officials from the Associations in which the user clubs compete were asked to provide their

opinion on the condition of Montrose Reserve and advise whether they were considering any

changes to rules/facility requirements which may have implications for the Montrose Reserve

masterplan. Their comments were as follows:

Ringwood and District Cricket Association (RDCA)

The Association confirmed that the Montrose Cricket Club was a strong, viable and growing

club. It indicated that the only change to the rules of the Association which may have facility

implications was the recent decision to introduce competitions for every junior year level from

U/10s to U/17s (7 year levels) – previously there were 4 year levels. In theory, this could close

to double the number of junior teams in the competition which would obviously place more

demand on Councils for grounds and training facilities. In practice, the Association does not

anticipate a big rise in the number of teams but believes that the player retention rate through the

junior grades would increase. With respect to player numbers, the Association advised that

senior numbers had slightly increased in recent years and junior numbers had remained relatively

stable. It predicted that this trend would continue in the future.

The Association indicated that Montrose Reserve was considered to be a reasonable standard

cricket venue. The ground was a good size and the conditions for spectators and players were

satisfactory. It indicated that the playing surface was a little uneven and takes a long time to re-

establish after the football season. It also stated that the oval was poorly graded and in some

areas slopes uphill from the centre wicket.

The Association stated that it supported the cricket club’s request for the installation of a pitch

on the second ground for use by younger age juniors (say up to U/12s). It advised against the

ground being used for older juniors or senior cricket.

Eastern Football League

The League indicated that the Montrose Football Club is highly regarded and well run. In

particular, the club is renowned for its strong junior program.

The League confirmed that it would not be introducing any new rules or facility requirements.

However, there have been some recent operational changes that do have facility implications.

These are:


38

• A growing number of women are taking up umpiring – field, boundary and goal. A

separate change area is needed for women umpires

• Competing teams are required to inspect and sign off on the safety of grounds before

they play a game. This is placing more pressure on club to ensure their grounds are

presented in a safe condition – no sprinkler heads showing, no subsidence over drainage

lines etc

The League stated that an ideal local football venue has the following features:

• Two well drained and graded ovals with good grass cover

• Sheltered and firm spectator areas

• Roomy and well maintained change areas

• Perimeter fences around the Reserve and grounds

• Firm carparking around the ground

• Dual sex changerooms for the umpires

• Scoreboard and time keeping facilities

It indicated that Montrose Reserve was deficient in the following areas:

• It does not have a proper second oval

• The main oval is poorly graded and drained and has an inadequate grass cover

• The carparking areas become muddy

• The condition of the changerooms could be improved

Eastern Region Tennis Association

The Association indicated that the Montrose Tennis Club was well run with a strong junior

program. With respect to tennis participation in the eastern region, it advised that junior player

numbers were strong and reasonably stable but senior numbers were declining. It predicted that

player numbers at the Montrose Tennis Club would reflect this trend. The Association described

the Montrose Tennis Club as an attractive venue with good facilities.

7.5 Local Interest and Other User Groups

7.5.1 Montrose Environmental Group

The aim of this group is to protect and enhance the natural environment in Montrose. Its

comments about the Reserve were as follows:


39

• Significant areas of the bushland are weed infested and a concerted effort is needed to

eradicate this problem. The Group would be willing to help with this campaign

• All passive areas within the Reserve need to be retained. No further expansion of the

active areas should be allowed

• Football spectators are parking their cars in the bushland at the eastern end of the oval.

This is damaging the understorey. This needs to be regulated.

• Areas of the Reserve need revegetation. A revegetation plan should be developed and

implemented with an emphasis on local native trees and plants

• People should be encouraged to use the bushland. Consideration should be given to

installing seating for relaxation and erecting interpretive literature to inform people about

the significance of the vegetation. Movement in the bushland should be controlled.

Sensitive vegetation areas should be screened off and the path network rationalised

7.5.2 ‘D’ Men’s Coterie Group

The purpose of this group is to raise funds to improve the facilities at the Reserve and provide

financial support to disadvantaged youth playing for the local football and cricket clubs. Their

comments were as follows:

• The user clubs, coterie group and Council are continually rectifying minor defects in the

pavilion. These works are putting off the inevitable – a major refurbishment of the

pavilion

• Montrose needs a multipurpose community/recreation centre. Consideration should be

given to redeveloping the pavilion at Montrose Reserve into a community centre which

provides activity spaces for indoor sports and change and social facilities for the user

clubs

• The toilet block is poorly located and people are reluctant to use it because of concerns

about safety. Consideration should be given to relocating the toilets to a site closer to

the pavilion or incorporating them in the pavilion

• The rotunda/BBQ at the rear of the pavilion is unsightly and rarely used. The rotunda

should be removed or relocated to a more suitable site, e.g. the picnic area near the

entrance to the Reserve

• The bushland area is untidy in areas and poses a fire risk. A fire management plan is

needed for this area


40

7.5.3 Billanook Primary School

Billanook Primary School uses the main oval about 15 times a year for sports activities. It says

that the Reserve is a great resource and complements the sports facilities at the school. Its main

concerns about the Reserve are as follows:

• The location and condition of the toilets. The school indicated that it was reluctant to let

students use the toilets because of their unsanitary condition and unsuitable location. It

suggested that a new set of toilets be constructed near the pavilion which were locked

when the Reserve was not being used by the sporting clubs or hirers like the school

• The condition of the oval during winter. The school indicated that on some occasions it

has been denied use of the oval because of its poor condition. The school recognises

that drainage of the oval has improved in recent years but believes that more work is

needed

• The condition of the netball courts. On most occasions when the school wants to use

the courts they are littered with broken glass. Also, the asphalt is breaking up in parts

making the courts unsafe

• Lack of access to the cricket nets. The school is prevented from using the nets by locked

gates across the nets. The school claims that it is an unusual practice for cricket nets at a

public reserve to be locked

7.5.4 CFA

The CFA and other emergency services use Montrose Reserve as a staging area. A staging area is

a site where resources such as firetrucks, police vehicles etc assemble during bushfires or like

events and where communication stations are set up. The CFA was asked to indicate what

improvements could be made at the Reserve to assist its operations. Its comments were:

• Improved toilet and shower facilities

• Extra power points on internal and external walls of pavilion (external points to be

weatherproof for SES)

• Improved perimeter lighting around oval for parking of appliances at night time

• Access for a computer link for email

• Widening of the entrance to the Reserve and upgrading and widening bitumen driveway

to allow 2 vehicles to pass each other safely

• Provision of bulk hot-water (washing utensils, tea making facilities). Installation of a hot

water tap on external wall.


41

7.6 Local Residents

A mail out survey was distributed to 600 households situated in close proximity to the Reserve.

The survey asked householders to respond to the following questions:

• How long they had lived in the Montrose area?

• Had they used the Reserve in the last two years and how often?

• What they use the Reserve for?

• How important the individual facilities?

• How they would rate the standard of the facilities?

• If they were non-users, why they did not use the Reserve?

• What could be done to encourage them to make greater use of the Reserve?

• Whether they wanted to make any general comments about problems at or

improvements to the reserve?

A full analysis of their responses is provided in Appendix A. A summary of the main findings of

the survey is as follows:

• 222 households responded to the survey. 189 use the Reserve and 31 do not. 1 was

from vacant land and 1 from a church.

• The majority of respondents were aged 50+ (55%) and 40-49 (27%)

• 63% of the respondents had lived in the Montrose area for more than 15 years. 28% had

lived in the area for more than 30 years

• The predominant household types were couples with children living at home (40%) and

couples only (35%)

• 85% of the respondents had used the Reserve in the past two years. Of these 55% used

the Reserve on at least a weekly basis

• The popular reasons for using the Reserve were walking (70%), enjoying the

environment (37%), spectating/socialising (27%), informal play (25%) and

relaxation/contemplation (25%)

• The main mode of travel to the Reserve was walking (97%)

• The most important facilities at the Reserve (in order) were public toilets (71% of

respondents ranked them as very important), bushland (71%), seats (68%), pathways

(68%), grass around the fields (59%) and seats (50%)

• The least important facilities were the clubrooms (53% of respondents either did not rate

them or rated them as not important, tennis courts (53%), and netball courts (53%)


42

• The facilities that were considered to be of the poorest standard/quality were the public

toilets (65% rated the toilets as being in poor condition), seats (62%), netball courts

(32%) and playground (32%)

• The popular responses to what improvements could be made to encourage greater use

were more improved maintenance (53%), more walking paths (50%), more seats (44%)

and additional planting and landscaping (44%)

• Of the 31 households that did not use Reserve, 27% replied that more walking paths

would encourage them to use the Reserve more often, 24% said improved bbq/picnic

facilities, 24% said additional planting and 24% replied improved maintenance

• The most popular response in the general comments section was enhancing the bushland

area (32 respondents), upgrading playground equipment (12) and enhancing the

appearance of the Reserve (11).

7.7 Summary

The major concerns about the Reserve expressed by the key stakeholders during the consultation

process were as follows:

• The inadequate length of the main oval

• The inadequate drainage and lighting of the playing fields, access roads and carparks

• The patchy grass cover on the main playing field

• The poor condition and unsuitable location of the public toilets

• The unsafe conditions for traffic at the entrance to the Reserve

• The degradation of the bushland areas caused by weed infestation, litter, uncontrolled

pedestrian movement and encroachment of cars

• The unattractiveness of the picnic/playground area at the front of the Reserve

• The deteriorating surface of the netball courts

• The declining condition of the pavilion and the lack of change facilities for women

umpires

• The lack of space in the tennis pavilion

• The lack of seating around the Reserve

• The unsightliness and unsuitable location of the rotunda

• The lack of shelters and firm standing areas for spectators

The improvements to the Reserve suggested by the key stakeholders are listed in Table 7.


43

Table 7 – Recommended improvements to Reserve

Improvements Suggested by

Council staff

Scout Group

Football Club

Cricket Club

Tennis Club

Netball Club

Montrose Environ-mental Group

Assoc-iations

Residents Coterie Group/ School/

CFA