Community feedback invited on Hosken Reserve draft concept plan (media release)

28 Jul 2021

28 July 2021

The draft Hosken Reserve Master Plan was endorsed unanimously at the July 2021 Merri-bek Council Meeting and will now be released to the community for a final round of feedback.

Acting Merri-bek Mayor Cr Mark Riley said an extensive community engagement process undertaken in February and March 2021, followed by the establishment of a Community Refresh Group, had informed the design options for a refreshed master plan for Coburg North’s Hosken Reserve.

“The draft plan for Hosken Reserve is the result of an extensive community engagement process and proposes a range of upgrades and developments that will bring much needed improvements and reallocate the shared uses of Hosken Reserve as a valued community sports and recreation space,” Cr Riley said. 

“We’d like to thank our community for their enthusiastic involvement in the project, and in particular to the representatives of the Refresh Group for their significant contribution to the draft master plan design.” 

A Refresh Group consisting of 25 community members was established and met four times between 19 May 2021 and 9 June 2021. The Group included a range of community representatives, who worked together to develop a revised draft Master Plan for Hosken Reserve. Representatives of Keep Hosken Reserve Accessible residents group, Merlynston Tennis Club, Pascoe Vale Football Club, Climate Action Merri-bek and Neighbours United for Climate Action were involved in the process. 

Council noted the work and recommendations of the Refresh Group at the July Council Meeting. Of the 26 individual elements that formed part of the draft design, there were five that could not be resolved through the Refresh Group process due to differing community views. These elements included the north pitch, south spectator area, football pavilion, potential community garden and Shepard St road closure. The draft Master Plan will be subject to a final phase of community consultation.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on the draft Master Plan,” said Cr Riley.

With further detail to be refined through relevant detailed design processes, the draft Master Plan for Hosken Reserve proposes key developments including: 

  • Formalised natural turf football pitch (North) with fence and lights, to be accessible to the public outside of formal games and training
  • Formalised hybrid turf football pitch (South) with spectator area, fence and lights 
  • Un-formalised natural turf junior football pitch (East) 
  • Creation of a central lawn area for non-formal sporting use
  • Football pavilion upgrades 
  • Tennis pavilion complete renewal 
  • Refurbishment of two tennis courts and entire fence structure 
  • New vehicle accessway from Bakers Road 
  • Active Recreation Zone (ball courts, skate elements, tennis wall and fitness area) 
  • Renewed parking with 62 additional spots 
  • Improved path/trail network 
  • Nature play installations 
  • Community/ sensory garden 
  • Improved public amenities (seating, shade, drink taps, BBQ, bike parking) 
  • Significant planting with approximately 199 new trees

The draft design recommendations have been reviewed in line with Council policy, management practices and operational procedures.

The community is now invited to provide feedback on the design concepts in the draft refreshed masterplan for Hosken Reserve before the final masterplan is presented to Council in September 2021.

Submissions can be made from Monday 19th July to Monday 15th August on Conversations Merri-bek, via email to info@moreland.vic.gov.au, requesting a hard copy of the submission form by calling 9240 1111 or by attending one of the planned drop in events (dependent on Covid restrictions).