Trevor Scott,
Architect, Castlemaine
Mount Alexander Shire Council has in this newspaper, recently promoted its plan to redevelop the Camp Reserve in Forest Street, Castlemaine. Unfortunately, the plan involves extensive earthworks and removal of many, mature species of trees.
Council argues that it will offset the loss of trees by replacing them with new ones, but it will be many years before these can absorb as much carbon dioxide as the large trees.
The Camp Reserve has historical connections to Goldsmith Crescent and the former court house, as well as to other significant buildings such as the Powder Magazine. This plan will sever these links and have an adverse effect on the character and heritage significance of the precinct.
As has been previously reported (Mail September 22) the plan for the reserve includes the construction of a new pavilion and netball courts, additional change rooms, a new community space, public toilets, a kiosk and umpires facilities, which is admirable.
It is planned that these should be located on the south west side of the reserve, adjacent to Forest Street. However, this is one of the hilliest and most vegetated parts of the site.
As an architect, I am convinced that these facilities could be located elsewhere on the site, avoiding the tree removal, earthworks and costly landscaping. Three years ago, council declared a climate emergency for the whole of the shire. More recently it purchased a new bus for patient transport. Unfortunately again, this bus was petrol-powered and not electric. Even more recently council ordered the removal of a sign reminding us of this emergency, from a prominent building in the town. When I look online, council’s website has a climate emergency plan, but when I look at this plan for our reserve and consider the above items, it seems to me that it is struggling to “walk the talk.”
