By Cam Lucadou-Wells
D-Day – as in D for Demolition – looms as cyclists have pitched a last-ditch effort to save Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Noble Park.
At a meeting on 12 March, Greater Dandenong Council is set to vote again on fast-tracking the Parkfield Reserve track’s removal.
In response, the pro-velodrome group staged a protest on State Parliament steps and collecting a last-minute petition of local signatures.
The cyclists’ five-member protest on 5 March attracted the support of Opposition upper house leader and public transport spokesperson David Davis.
The senior Liberal MP used question time on 5 March to ask the State Government whether it would act to “protect a key part of Victoria’s cycling history … from the imminent destruction planned by the City of Greater Dandenong”.
“The Maurice Kirby Velodrome is a facility of broader metropolitan and statewide significance, it’s of historic importance,” Mr Davis told Star News.
“We need to encourage cycling and this provides a very safe venue for learners including families and experienced cyclists alike.
“The silence of local member (and Premier) Daniel Andrews on the appalling plans of the City of Greater Dandenong does him no credit.”
Recently, the club lodged a submission for the track’s heritage listing. Heritage Victoria rejected the claim, finding the track was not of statewide significance.
Star News contacted the State Government for comment.
On the other side, just as impassioned, are the reserve’s cricket, soccer and tennis clubs. They back the council’s $11 million masterplan for the reserve which includes a multi-sport pavilion, an expanded oval, a shared path as well as the velodrome’s removal.
They claim the cyclist group are a minority, at odds to the prevailing community view.
Parkfield Cricket Club secretary David Swierzbiolek said there was frustration that “five people are trying to hold up the masterplan, which is something the community wants”.
“I can definitely say there was community consultation.
“Even when the masterplan was developed, we’ve been putting it up on our windows at Parkfield Reserve.
“Anyone using the reserve would have seen it up.”
The cycling group was also set to lodge a petition opposing the velodrome’s destruction, signed by residents in neighbouring Dunblane Road.
Spokesman Mark Dalton said 87 signatures were collected, raising doubts over claims that most locals support the council’s plan.
“Nearly every house we asked in Dunblane Road signed the petition.”
Mr Dalton said there were also doubts over the effectiveness of the council’s community consultation on the plan – including nearly 7000 postcards sent to nearby residents.
“None said they had received the notice that council says they posted out, or saw any council representatives before or after the masterplan draft was put out.”
