A matter of when, not if, for $19 million Balwyn North park as dog owners bite back

The five-year battle to approve a plan for upgrades to Balwyn North’s Myrtle and Macleay parks has hit a final hurdle in the last stretch, with councillors deciding to wait for at least another two weeks before giving it a green light.

📍 The plan: The $19.18 million plan includes $1.83 million in general park road works such as pedestrian crossings and the planting of 150 new trees and the $5.5 million renewal of the Myrtle Park pavilion.

• The plan also outlines the council’s aim to install a signalised intersection at the entry to Macleay Park along Belmore Road, which would require approval from the State Government.

🦮 Dog disputes: During council’s Monday meeting, members of the Macleay Park Dog Group addressed Boroondara councillors, opposing plans that would shift the park's preferred off-leash dog area to Oval 5, arguing the site has poor drainage, inadequate fencing and sits too close to a playground.

⚽️ Tripping hazards: Boroondara Eagles Soccer Club volunteer member Murray Fenwick also told councillors the master plan did not appropriately address the club’s concerns with player safety, as it places soccer pitches in a location where players would have to run through a cricket pitch during play.

⏭️ What’s next? Councillors deferred approval until another meeting on July 27, pending review.

Thumbnail Image Credit: Totallynotarandomalt69