By BEN CAMERON
EMERALD Netball Club will have a new $3.2 million home at Pepi’s Land after Cardinia Shire Council greenlit a masterplan for the area.
The new development includes four new courts, along with club house, car park and children’s playground, following the approved updated masterplan, which was first prepared in 2004.
Ranges Ward councillor Tania Baxter said it was a massive win for the netball club and members of the wider community who visited the area.
“The new courts was one of the few clear directions from the community in the Emerald Spatial Plan,” she said
“It’s the right plan for this area.
“It’s amazing how much use that area gets.”
Ranges Ward Cr Brett Owen said it was a great day for the netball club and allowed it to move away from its current facilities at Worrell Reserve which were below par.
“The current facilities are unacceptable,” he said.
“It’s unsafe, there are problems with run off.
“The pavilion is also unacceptable.”
The masterplan also proposed a community garden and the relocation of the existing BMX track, however it will remain in its current location despite concerns it was hidden away and attracted anti-social behaviour.
“Leaving it there for now is the best outcome,” Cr Baxter said.
“Increased activity at Pepi’s Land will help.
“There is also the possibility of a community garden in the future.”
However a council report found there was “limited community interest” in a garden.
Cr Owen said that more eyes and ears at Pepi’s Land would go some way towards keeping the BMX track free of anti-social behaviour.
“More people in the area will create active surveillance of the track when it comes to anti-social behaviour,” he said.
Mayor Leticia Wilmot said the development was long overdue.
