Mitcham struggles for sporting space

Emily Charrison

19May08

THE drought and the rising popularity of sport in the Hills is forcing Mitcham Council to address a shortage of ovals and reserves in the region. 

At a committee meeting last week, councillors voted to develop a Recreation Space Plan to tackle the availability of parks and grounds, the impact of water restrictions and the popularity of sport.

Sturt Thunder Soccer Club football director John Vander Veeken said a lack of available pitches had forced the club to turn away up to 30 junior players each season.

Cr Ian Perry, who moved the motion, said many sporting clubs had ``outgrown'' their current grounds, which was putting pressure on the council to find other suitable areas.

``Some clubs have been in the same spot for 60 years and when they moved there the community wasn't around,'' he told the Hills & Valley Messenger.

``But houses are getting closer and residents don't want balls over their fences.

``The other problem in the Hills is there's a lack of flat space and the areas which are flat have got buildings on them.

``So rather than putting money into one area for individual clubs we're trying to come up with a consolidated plan for the entire region.''

A report, which was presented at last week's meeting, stated the council had turned off water to 82 of its reserves so the playing fields used by sporting clubs could be irrigated.

However, Deputy Mayor Grant Hudson said the water restrictions had created conflict in the community, with some residents feeling they were being ``squeezed out'' by sporting clubs.

``It also puts more pressure on the grounds which are being used more than others, and they could get to a point where they can't recover,'' he said.

While the council developed a Recreation Review in 1999 and an Open Space Strategy two years later, communications officer Julie Lamond said those guidelines were outdated and no longer reflected the community's needs.

She said the new plan would be ``a high level strategic document'' to identify the council's current demands and provide direction about any future recreation and sport issues.

``(For example) the plan might identify a particular reserve needs lights, hence the council can identify a process to achieve this,'' she said.

Ms Lamond said a draft plan would be presented to the council after community consultation early next year.