March in Parkville Gardens

March is a multi-faceted month. Autumn has arrived, universities are back in full swing, football’s kicked off, Moomba fever is in the air, annual religious observances are under way for believers, and the Parkville Gardens Residents’ Association (PGRA) is once again hosting a seasonal event.

In case you missed last month’s column, here’s a snapshot of what’s coming …

Thanks to a Thriving Communities grant from Greater Western Water, we’re having a Neighbours Day Festival on Sunday, March 23. Locals are urged to come along to the Galada Ave Reserve from 11am to 2pm for a kaleidoscope of activities. 

There’ll be a magic show and balloon twisting for the kids, as well as a Taekwondo demo. Everyone’s welcome to the midday barbecue (veg and halal catered for).  

Kids and adults alike can engage with helpful Greater Western Water staff, friendly officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, and wonderful librarians from the City of Melbourne’s mobile library (the MelVan). It’s not to be missed!

The official consultation process for the draft Royal Park Master Plan has closed, but you can still inform the council of your views.  

As reported last month, four community groups – Friends of Royal Park, the Royal Park Protection Group, the Parkville Association and Protectors of Public Lands – have lodged strenuous objections to it on the grounds that it proposes to expand and intensify the use of Royal Park for active sports at the expense of informal recreational enjoyment. 

The next meeting of the City of Melbourne (the Future Melbourne Committee) is on Tuesday, March 18. The full agenda and documentation will be available from 2pm on Thursday, March 13. 

The PGRA committee was pleased to welcome local state member, Ellen Sandell, to its monthly meeting in February.  

The two main topics of discussion were housing and neighbourhood safety. She is well informed about community concerns and is actively engaged with government authorities and Victoria Police on our behalf.  

We also conveyed to Ms Sandell our continued disappointment that the community centre promised to us by the state government after the 2006 Commonwealth Games never eventuated.  

The designated building was sold and has never been available for our use. The Parkville Gardens population has now grown to more than 2000 people, and the need for a local hub has become more pressing than ever.  

Ms Sandell has undertaken to approach the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny about the matter. Residents are encouraged to appeal to her themselves via [email protected]. 

On a cheerier note, Parkville Gardens residents, please put March 23 in your diary! •