By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has endorsed a $21.15 million masterplan to guide Chirnside Park’s development across the next decade.
The councillors voted in favour of the masterplan, which has been developed with community consultation, at a meeting last week.
A major feature of the masterplan will be the establishment of a new home base for the Werribee Cricket Club and Werribee Junior Cricket Club.
The two clubs will move away from Chirnside Park and Soldiers Reserve to a new site on Alfred Road, Werribee.
The Alfred Road site will be built within about five years, according to the masterplan.
Cr Peter Maynard described this as a “win-win” for the cricket club.
The Chirnside Park masterplan also includes proposed re-alignments to the Werribee River Trail, away from trees.
The path will be widened by a minimum of three metres, where possible.
Riverbank weed removal, bank stabilisation and revegetation is part of the plan, along with a proposed “nature play area” adjacent to the trail.
The plan says the historic Bungies Hole area will be “refurbished” with council to consider options including water play, cultural heritage art elements and educational play opportunities.
Food-vans and other temporary catering options will also be considered for the area near Bungies Hole.
The Werribee Bowls Club’s pavilion will be demolished and replaced with a car park, which will link to Bungies Hole and provide around 42 spaces.
A new bowls club facility will be built – possibly a double-story building.
The club’s north turf green will be replaced with an undercover synthetic green.
At the nearby Chirnside Park oval, council will consider the inclusion of space for up to 500 temporary seats for events.
The Werribee Tennis Club’s two hard courts will be replaced with synthetic grass.
Cr Mia Shaw said she was delighted that “better aquatic play areas for children and young families” would be installed at the Werribee Outdoor Pool.
As well, the masterplan proposes spending $500,000 on public art, including indigenous artwork, along the Werribee River corridor.
The council will fund the Chirnside Park upgrades across the next 10 years, applying for state government grants where possible.
