Still time to have your say on the Royal Park Master Plan
A collective of local conservation groups are urging people to “have their say” on the Royal Park Master Plan before the community consultation period ends next month.
The Royal Park Master Plan draft was exhibited for community consultation in November last year, and the City of Melbourne is still accepting community feedback until February 14 via Participate Melbourne.
The draft master plan sets out a vision that, once finalised, will guide the future of the park over the next 20 years. It aims to connect the cultural history of the park, care for the environment, and provide recreation and sporting facilities.
However, Friends of Royal Park, the Royal Park Protection Group, and the Parkville Association have joined forces, in what Parkville Association president Rob Moore sees as a last-ditch effort to protect the park from overdevelopment.
Mr Moore remains concerned that Royal Park will no longer be a bush park due to the focus on facilities such as a café in Walmsley House, barbecues, more concrete, and the extension of nature play on Gatehouse St.
“Bush parks are the lungs of the city,” Mr Moore said. “We see this as an important part of Melbourne’s history, servicing the people of inner-city Melbourne.”
According to Mr Moore, there are many parks in Victoria already servicing other areas that could have additional sporting facilities, including Studley Park in Kew, Albert Park in South Melbourne, and Princes Park in Carlton.
“Please read the plan and make an urgent submission to the council,” he said. “We are lobbying hard, so we all retain our wonderful, very special, and intact space – Royal Park.” •

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