Strong feedback on Cowes Recreation Reserves’ future

HUNDREDS of submissions have been made on the proposed Cowes Recreation Reserve Master Plan as community consultation continues until May 17.
Around 220 contributions had been made on various aspects of the project.

This includes a fenced dog off-lead area, new lake with pedestrian path circuit, sealed car park (351 spaces), enclosed cricket practice nets (four lanes, synthetic surface) with power bollard, netball courts with player/ scorer shelters and LED floodlights to competition standard (200 lux) and the Aquatic Leisure Centre to be delivered in two stages (aquatics facilities and stadium) in line with relevant council strategies.

Here’s what some residents had to say:

Aquatics- 
“Should be a 50m pool and hydrotherapy pool. There is more than ought room if you get rid of the useless revegetation area. Maybe the events space could become an indoor sport and rec area. Events could be held on one of the 2 football grounds.”
“More basketball courts. Growth for Basketball and other high ball sports. Basketball is so popular in Vic and it would be great to have more opportunities in regional spaces, both in and out of season. This includes shared community spaces for admin/meetings.”

Soccer- 
“The three pitches could all be multi-purpose pitches, using different coloured lines for the different sports. That’s what other councils have done with their multi-sport pitches. Then all of the pitches can be used for all of the sports. That way you’d have 3 hockey pitches, 3 soccer pitches, 3 netball pitches etc.”
“Please use the multipurpose ground as a hockey pitch and create a Bass Coast hockey centre/team. There’s a huge lack of hockey facilities in the Gippsland/Bass Coast region. The area is crying out for new hockey facilities to be created.”

Dog park-
“The dog park must be bigger than this. Please listen to the recommendations made by the Phillip Island Bass Coast Dog Owners Association. They have done their research and know what they are talking about. There needs to be appropriate seating and shelter available. Adequate lighting and much less vegetation are required to ensure the safety of those who use the park. There needs to be appropriate physical, social and sensory stimulation for the dogs. Different textures, jumps, tunnels, water play etc.”
“This area is not big enough. It needs to be at very least as big as the football ovals. There is too much green space around it. It’s a sports precinct not a green corridor. The dog park also needs shelter structures not just trees to sit under. We need this area to be fit for purpose for the future.”

Football/cricket oval- 
“Don't put a cricket pitch on the main oval. They pose a safety risk to footballers and it will limit the arena's use for higher level football (VFL/VFLW etc.) They won't even consider playing there with a cricket pitch in place.”
“More parking to facilitate the number of people attending the precinct. More shelters around ground for spectators to view sports being played.”

Council officers will review feedback throughout May and June, with the final master plan expected to be completed and adopted mid this year. 

For more information, visit engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/cowesrr