By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Greater Dandenong Council will form a working group to explore the need for a regional cycling facility, such as at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong.
In the wake of controversially demolishing Maurice Kirby Velodrome in Noble Park this year, Greater Dandenong will partner with neighbouring councils to develop a regional cycling strategy.
It will aim to increase opportunities for competition and social-level cycling.
The plan will cost an estimated $60,000 – shared by councils and hopefully a Sport and Recreation Victoria grant, according to a council report.
Community services director Martin Fidler told a 26 August council meeting that the strategy was required because cycling peak bodies had limited data about “cycling as a sport” in the region.
Councillor Zaynoun Melhem said it was incumbent on the council to at least explore the need for the facility – either in Greater Dandenong or elsewhere in the South East – after removing the municipality’s only velodrome.
In opposition, councillor Tim Dark pointed to a drop in cycling participation rates in Greater Dandenong – down from 15 per cent to 8 per cent.
The funds were better used to support tennis, soccer and cricket clubs – sports with a “substantial” rise in participation.
Cr Dark noted Cycling Victoria and Bicycle Network took “such an aggressive standpoint” against the Maurice Kirby Velodrome removal despite not having supportive data.
Cr Kirwan, in support of the study, said the point of the strategy was to collect the data from a South-East regional view.
It could lead to a “different result altogether” on participation rates.
He said a collaborative approach with other councils was likely to receive State support. The State Government had identified cycling as a high priority across Victoria, Cr Kirwan said.
He later told Star Journal that he supported Cr Maria Sampey’s idea of Greaves Reserve as a possible regional venue.
“Given it’s so close to EastLink, Monash Freeway, Dandenong railway station and bus hub, and the Djerring and EastLink bike trails, it would be a central and accessible location.
“It would be an ideal one we could consider.”
