Yarra plan agreed

By Dion Teasdale
ADRAFT of Yarra Glen’s Recreation Precinct Master Plan has been endorsed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and will be made available for public viewing.
The decision to endorse the draft plan and make it available for public comment was unanimously made by Shire of Yarra Ranges councillors at a council meeting late last month.
The master plan outlines the objectives for Yarra Glen’s open space areas and reserves and identifies short, medium and long-term development and maintenance priorities.
The future of three of the town’s major reserves are included in the master plan.
They are McKenzie Reserve on Melba Highway, the Recreation Reserve and show grounds along the Yarra River and the Pony Club area south west of the town.
The cost of implementing the master plan is estimated to be between $618,000 and $678,000 over the next 10 years.
Some of the major recommendations of the master plan include improving access and providing pedestrian and cycling links around the township, and establishing a significant wildlife corridor along the Yarra River.
The Memorial Hall, RSL and Senior Citizens facilities at McKenzie Reserve have been earmarked for refurbishment and sports facilities at the Recreation Reserve could be upgraded and netball facilities could be added.
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said she was delighted to see the draft of the master plan being made available for public viewing.
“This plan is the result of a lengthy and comprehensive consultation process and it allows the community to reassess what’s out there and how it can be best utilised,” she said.
“The master plan provides great opportunities for linkages in Yarra Glen, and the town has got the potential to develop itself as ‘Yarra’ Glen, linking up with parks and reserve and use of wetlands and billabongs along the Yarra River.”
Cr McRae said the draft plan would be on display at Yarra Glen’s Memorial Hall at an open day to be held in the next six weeks and that copies of the plan would be available prior to the open day.
She also said she was looking forward to the community having an opportunity to comment on the draft plan.
“I’m eager to hear what the community think of the plan and eager to see some of the actions signed off on and then implemented,” she said.
Cr McRae said the council would prepare a further report on the final master plan following feedback from the community on the draft plan.