Kevin Sharkey, Castlemaine
Tim Matheson, President of the Castlemaine Football Netball Club, was quoted in local media last week, expressing surprise and disappointment at Mount Alexander Shire Council’s decision to knock back the proposed redevelopment of the Camp Reserve.
Like Tim and many other people, I too am disappointed and surprised with this decision. What appears to be the primary sticking point is the removal of a couple of established native trees at the southern end of the precinct. Aside from their inherent value, no one has yet been able to adequately explain why they should be retained at the expense of an outstanding plan to renew the sporting facilities of the Camp Reserve to make them fit for purpose for generations to come.
Old photos of the Camp and surroundings show no trees in the area. Indeed one such photo published in the Mail a year or so back shows a grandstand in the footprint of the proposed pavilion. Being relatively young, as far as tree ages go, they have no connection to the either Dja Dja Wurrung heritage, or to the colonial era settlement of the area.
As a show of good faith, given that being a sports lover and participant does not preclude us from valuing and nurturing our environment, I am confident that the football, netball, cricket and other sports and community groups and any individuals that will greatly benefit from the upgraded facility could effectively work with council and landcare groups in the area to plant, say 1000 trees, where they are needed.
This would not only make up for the very small number that would be lost in the redevelopment, but presents a golden opportunity for council to show some leadership by approving the proposed redevelopment. This would bring the community together, not set us apart as is currently the case.