We received a lot of feedback about parking and traffic issues around the reserve. We are investigating controls and mitigations as well as progressing the following:

• Installing a shared crossing near the school to support safe pedestrian access.
• New solar lights will also be installed to illuminate the new crossing – this will take place in March-April 2025.

Below you can see the proposed plan for the crossing. We aim to begin installation during the July 2025 school holidays.

A shared path will be installed on the southern half of Urquhart Street between Armstead Street and Alva Grove. This will provide a safe cycling connection from the Merri Creek Trail to Pentridge Boulevard and Coburg High School.

The new path will also help address the current issues of double-parking and illegal parking occurring near the school and reserve

The design above has the implementation of a new parking and access section for the reserve. There is also plenty of parking currently within the council carpark. We will install temporary signage to advise community of the access and unrestricted parking.

As part of Council’s commitment to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality community infrastructure, we acknowledge the concerns surrounding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and their potential environmental and health impacts.

To ensure we are making informed and responsible decisions, an independent assessment was undertaken. This provided us with information to better understand the presence and potential effects of PFAS.

As a result the Hockey Pitch will be PFAS-free

In line with our Sports Surface Policy, these same principles will be applied to any redevelopment of the tennis courts to ensure consistent approaches across the entire plan.

We heard concerns about microplastics and protecting local waterways

The hockey pitch includes a specialised drainage and treatment system that is specifically designed for synthetic sports fields. This system collects water that runs off the pitch surface and captures rubber infill, sediments and other particles before the water enters the stormwater network.

While no system can capture every microscopic particle, this approach is widely used and significantly reduces the amount of materials that are transferred between the surface and our waterways.

Ongoing maintenance, including regular cleaning of the collection baskets, will keep the system working effectively.

We heard that lighting from the new pitch may be a concern for nearby residents

The lighting has been carefully designed to focus on the playing surface and minimise any light reaching surrounding homes.

The design complies with Australian Standard AS 4282 (Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting), which sets strict limits on light spill, glare, and brightness in residential areas. Independent modelling has been undertaken to assess the impact at nearby streets and properties. The modelling results confirm that all light levels are within acceptable limits.

We have taken these steps to reduce the impact of the lights:

• Lights are fitted with directional shields to prevent spill into neighbouring properties
• Light is aimed downward and contained within the pitch as much as possible
• The system is designed to minimise glare for both residents and road users
• Lighting will operate only during approved hours and will be switched off after use.