BATHURST Regional Council is set to endorse the draft master plan for George Park.
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A report to council’s next meeting, on Wednesday, recommends that the draft plan be endorsed now that the public consultation process has concluded.
During that time, approximately 95 responses were submitted using the online Your Say survey, while there were five written submissions received concerning the draft management plan document.
Some respondents made multiple submissions.
The submissions were received from a range of people, including passive recreational users of George Park, those who participate in organised amateur sports, and people who use George Park for both.
The report, compiled by director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, noted that 73 per cent of respondents had raised concerns over George Park being fenced off from the public.
“The concept for fencing was not to preclude or restrict access to George Park to any of the users groups, or the general public, other than to allow the facility to be capable of restricted access only on occasions where gate takings were required for organised sports events,” Mr Sturgiss said.
The fence would also control the unrestricted vehicle access, Mr Sturgiss continued, which has led to concern “in respect to the protection of grassed areas and trees, as well as public safety”.
Perimeter fencing has been altered within the draft management plan and now specifically refers to a vehicle control bollard-style fence to stop vehicles from entering onto the irrigated lawn and tree areas of the park surrounds.
Other issues noted by respondents included concerns over lighting and the need for footpaths. There were also proposals to move AFL clubs to other facilities.
Although recommending the plan be endorsed, Mr Sturgiss did say that it would not commit council to the implementation and financial resourcing of the various actions contained in the master plan document.
“The master plan is to be used as a guide only towards prioritising any future works that council may wish to consider at George Park in future management plan deliberations and will also provide assistance for any grant application opportunities, as they arise,” he said.
