Liam McNally
A Bacchus Marsh mum has started a petition to encourage Moorabool council to upgrade Lidgett Street Reserve in Bacchus Marsh.
Melissa Spiteri, who has lived on Lidgett Street for 13 years, launched an online petition which has collected 55 signatures in five days and is in the process of letterbox dropping physical forms.
The petition seeks a range of upgrades for the park including all abilities access, toilets and drink taps, a gym area, water play for kids, a half-football oval, a fenced off dog park, a barbeques area with more seats and shelter and a car park.
Ms Spiteri said there’s so many families in the growing neighbourhood now it would be nice to see more kids on the street.
“Every family function we have we’re at that park… but I’m having to give people my house keys to go to the toilet and come back to the park because it ha no amenities,” she said.
Michelle Ross is a mother who lives nearby, whose son requires a wheelchair.
Ms Ross said even the steps to the slide are too deep to get her son up them.
“It would be amazing for us, we live only a minute wheelchair ride or walk away. Council is expecting us to use local parks instead of having big back yards, so why aren’t they making them accessible for everyone?” she said.
Moorabool council chief executive Derek Madden said Lidgett Street Park received an investment of $640,000 in 2020, with works including a half basketball court, a new playground, new shade sails, new irrigated grassed area, new park furniture, new shelters, tree planting and landscaping.
“Council is invested in upgrading and maintaining parks and open space within the shire, with works across the entire municipality assessed with all parks and open spaces in mind,” he said.
“Lidgett Street Park is identified within Moorabool as a local park and as per the current draft Open Space Strategy, this has all the essential items and a number of optional items for a local park.
“All parks and open spaces in future budgets will be considered for future upgrades based on need, condition and policies. We are thankful for the information provided from the residents which will be used in future discussions. When the future budget is allocated, community consultation will take place prior to any future works taking place.”
