By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A COMMUNITY park in Ocean Grove has to be saved for a second time, according to a new group.
Save Ocean Grove Park Again formed at a public meeting last weekend after Geelong’s council backed away from taking ownership of the park.
Trust for Nature assumed ownership of the park and appointed a local management committee after the community rallied 14 years ago to raise funds to prevent the park’s sale to developers.
Council planned to take ownership of the park as part of a proposal to build a $1 million performance space in the reserve.
Save Ocean Grove Park Again spokesperson Stephanie Asher said members were “delighted” ownership would remain with Trust for Nature.
“The people of Ocean Grove are thrilled that the park will continue to be managed by the community.
“It’s a great outcome and we appreciate council’s decision to not pursue the transfer of land.
“We expressed the overwhelming gratitude and appreciation from local residents for the hard work done by the (current) park committee members over the years.
“We let them know there are plenty of people ready and waiting to help, not just for now but for the long-term.”
A Save Ocean Grove Park Again Facebook page said the group aimed to organise meetings with Mayor Darren Lyons, the park’s management committee and Trust for Nature.
Ward councillor Jan Farrell said discussions would not continue without adequate legal protection for the park and the support of the community.
“We’ve had legal advice that cannot guarantee watertight protection for the park and also been aware of community division over a possible ownership transfer.”
Cr Farrell said council would continue to work with stakeholders to deliver the performance space.
Trust for Nature commercial services manager Chris Cook said the organisation was no longer considering any transfer of Ocean Grove Park.
“The Trust permanently protects important conservation land in Victoria in a number of ways and we assure the community that this approach would always apply to the park.”
Save Ocean Grove Park Again has called a second public meeting for 2pm Sunday at Ocean Grove Primary School hall to canvass ongoing ownership and management of the park and the “status of the performance-space building”.
