Media Buzz

Some members of WAAG gathered at Wolstencroft Reserve last weekend to take some photos. This is only the tip of the iceberg of the number of people who want Wolstencroft Park. Look out for our faces in the Bendigo Weekly to promote the Christmas party and to get our Park back on Council's agenda.
In the meantime, here are some behind the scenes shots....

26 November 2010

Photo call

As a prelude to our party, we're taking a photo to send to the papers to advertise our Christmas party, and our Park! Come along to Wolstencroft Reserve this Sunday 28th November at 10am to be in the photo, and bring along all your family and friends too. We'd love to see you there.

Location, location

Wondering where our Christmas Party will be given that Wolstencroft Park is currently surrounded by fencing??
We've been assured by Council that the amount of soil stored at the Park isn't going to cover the whole surface and once the trucks finish delivering the QEO soil, the fences will be repositioned to allow use of part of the Park again. So come the 8th of December our Christmas Party will be at the Park!
**** Stay tuned for update on location in case of wet weather ****

Show your support!

Wolstencroft Street Park Land Master Plan, adopted June 2008

Wolstencroft Park Master Plan 2008

The Master Plan for Wolstencroft Park has been reinstated to the Council web page and can be accessed by anyone interested in checking it out.

To download a larger copy, click here to be redirected to the Council website:
Wolstencroft Park Master Plan 2008

Soil at Wolstencroft Park

Members of WAAG met with Council officers and Cr Sandner after the fences had been erected at Wolstencroft Park, as residents & WAAG were concerned about the lack of communication. A letter, dated 2 November, mentioning that soil would be transported from the QEO and stored at Wolstencroft was received by a WAAG member on Curtin Street, but recieved by nobody living in close proximity to the Wolstencroft reserve! This letter was then distributed to residents  in closer proximity on the 9th November but with no further detail as to plans for the soil and the Park.

At the meeting, WAAG expressed our disappointment about the Masterplan implementation progress and Council communication with residents. Council staff apologised for the poor communication and appreciated the feedback and opportunity  to work with WAAG and residents accordingly into the future. Council sought our advice about how best to communicate with the community with regard to the present situation and into the future. It was agreed that Council would send a letter the next day to residents (you should have received one!) which detailed the plans for storage further.

Council also advised that once transportation is complete (about four weeks ) the fence will be relocated and placed around the soil stored area only (should be confined to an area on the Havlin St east side) and for the duration of soil storage, measures will be taken to suppress dust from the site using a bonding agent.

We hope that some of the stored soil will be used for future redevelopment of the Park!

06 November 2010

October 2010

The story so far (2010)

In January this year, a letter was issued by the Greater Bendigo City Council to residents of the surrounding areas to the Wolstencroft Park precinct. This letter described the Master Plan adopted in June 2008 following community consultation and the actions which were to follow.
The letter stated that tests had been conducted by the EPA, but further tests were required before construction of the Park could commence. The testing program was sited as the reason for the delays in the Master Plan implementation.
Further, the letter stated that the costs of redeveloping the site would be submitted in the 2010/11 council budget and suggested that work would begin on the site in the 2010/11 financial year.

So the residents patiently waited...

What we're all about...

A few years ago, after a long consultation period, Bendigo council approved plans to develop the former quarry site between Wolstencroft, Rodney and Havlin Streets. The plans included resurfacing, footpaths, community gardens, play space for children, eating areas and a public toilet. In 2008 the new council "delayed" the Wolstencroft Master Plan. It has become clear that "delayed" means "shelved".

The Wolstencroft Area Action Group (WAAG) is made up of locals who want our councillors to hear, loud and clear, that their local ratepayers and electorate want the site at Wolstencroft Street developed as promised in the Wolstencroft Master Plan.

Check in to this blog or join WAAG on Facebook to stay tuned to WAAG events, news and action.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wolstencroft-Area-Action-Group-WAAG-Bendigo