Draft Masterplan for Marong's Malone Park available for comment

The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting residents to inspect and comment on a draft Masterplan for Malone Park to guide the future development of the reserve and cater for the growth of Marong. 

The draft plan is available to view at https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/malone-park-masterplan until Friday November 19, 2021.

The City is also holding an onsite listening post at Malone Park from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday November 2, 2021 (Melbourne Cup Day) Covid-19 restrictions permitting or residents can attend an online session from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday November 4, 2021. Bookings for the online session can be made at https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/malone-park-masterplan

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said the draft masterplan was developed following extensive consultation undertaken late last year. 

“The draft plan acknowledges the need for at least one additional oval in the short term with long term needs likely to require a third oval, as well as spaces that can be used for non-traditional sports such as touch-football and other flexible uses for community events, festivals and carnivals,” Cr Alden said.

Key features of the draft masterplan include:

The development of a single multi-purpose pavilion and community building to service all existing and future users; Relocation of Marong Light Harness Club; Redevelopment of the existing harness track into a green playing surface that is irrigated and illuminated and equivalent to two ovals; Development of two additional multipurpose netball and tennis courts near the pavilion; Improved walking and cycling connections through the site and connecting Discover Marong (estate) to the Marong School and Town Centre via the existing bridge over Bullock Creek; Future relocation of other community facilities such as the existing playground into the reserve to increase activation and access by the community; Development of additional facilities including bike jumps and a dog park; Retention of the natural environment as much as possible; Preservation of the natural amenity and enhancement of passive recreation assets.

“In December 2020 the City called on members of the Marong and wider community to have input into the development of the draft masterplan and the City received seven submissions and a total of 268 online surveys were completed by respondents to say what they would like included in the draft masterplan.

“The community consultation showed that the community highly value Malone Park with many respondents using the area for casual use outside of sport.  More than 54 per cent of respondents said they were not members of any club associated with the park. Also interesting was the large number of survey respondents (42 per cent) who said they walked to access the reserve. In addition, 93 per cent of respondents said they had visited Malone Park in the past 12 months.

“Malone Park is the main recreation reserve in the Marong township and Marong is one of Greater Bendigo’s growth areas with a predicted four-fold increase in population to 8,000 predicted by the City’s Marong Structure Plan in coming years.

“It is therefore important for the City to plan for this growth to ensure Marong has the necessary infrastructure for it to continue to grow.

“Once the exhibition period of the draft masterplan is complete, all feedback will be considered and a final version of the plan will be produced and presented to Council for adoption in early in 2022. Following the adoption of the draft masterplan by Council the City will commence preparations to implement the plan including undertaking targeted consultation with stakeholders and detailed design work. 

“The City will also investigate grant and funding opportunities with other levels of government and set timelines for implementation of priority works.”