Community Action

Happy Holidays Newlanders,

I am writing to raise awareness for Darebin Councils proposal to build a new community hub at Batman Park on the corner of St George's Rd and Seperation St. The council want to combine Merri Child Care Centre and Batman Kindergarten into one centre and build a new 'hub' taking up a large amount of park space. Here is a template given to me from the kindergarten (where my daughter will go this year) explaining the problems the kinder community see. Please feel free to use it or write or email your own to the Darebin council. 

Dear Councillors,

I have recently been made aware of a proposal that Darebin Council is considering for an Early Childhood services hub to be built on Batman Park.

This proposal is to build a two storey building on a quarter of the area of Batman Park.  It will be an amalgamation of two kindergartens, a child care centre, and Maternal and child Health centre. 

The existing Batman Park Kindergarten and adjacent hall will be demolished and turned into a car park.

I have several concerns over this proposal.

No Community Consultation

Where was the community consultation in this process?

The Batman Park Playspace was approached in a similar manner without any community consultation. 

Many residents are unaware of this proposal.  The drip feeding of information is causing worry and unrest to many residents in the community.

Loss of Greenspace

This proposal contradicts Darebin Council’s open space policy (2008) that stipulates no loss of open space.

There are few green spaces in the area of Batman Park.  Removing a quarter of Batman Park would be a huge loss to the large community that use it.

Traffic congestion 

This particular section of Arthurton Rd is already heavily congested.  When the rail crossing boom gates are down, queues stretch across the tracks all the way down to St George’s Rd.

When the 350 apartment site (Taking up a whole block of Arthurton Rd, Elm Street and Herbert St) is finished the congestion will be strained further. How will this small section of road cope with another large development such as this hub?

And what of the residents on the narrow section of Elm street who will be affected by this proposal? This small street barely copes during drop off and pick up times for 54 pre-schoolers. How will it possibly cope with triple that?

Surrounding residents in Latham Street and Arhurton Rd will also be impacted by the increased traffic congestion a development of this scale brings. 

Replication of Services

This hub does not cater for the community’s need for a broad range of Early Child hood services.  This hub will replicate what already exists in our Community (The amalgamation of two Kindergartens and child care centre). It is not providing any additional child-care or kindergarten places.

A community takes great pride in its kindergartens. Batman Park Kindergarten and its adjoining playspace and Park are well regarded and loved by our community.

The uniqueness and pedagogy of Batman Park Kindergarten is something that has taken many years to develop. (Since 1945). Hundreds of parents have put thousands of hours into creating a place of great pride and standing in our community.  

I understand the need for more services in our growing community, but this should not be a paint by numbers approach, and at the cost of losing the the unique richness and specialty that each little local kindergarten brings, which cannot be replicated in large scale projects such as this.

I look forward to your response.

Kind Regards

I really hope this proposal can be ship down for Batman Park Kinder has a wonderful little community. Parents meet up to make all sorts of crafts to sell in a kinder stall with proceeds going back into the kindergarten. It's a great way to meet the other families a learn a new skill while supporting Batman Park Kinder. The Kinder is a beautiful homely space. But this isn't the only issue the kinder is currently fighting. For a long time Batman Park has been trying to advocate for the full ownership of their south room. Because it's owned by the council it is leased out outside or kinder hours to a range of classes etc. This means that the children and staff pack up the room each day and cannot make it their space providing a more homely feel. It's still a great room and the resources are fantastic but it's been a long battle. 

Of course, community courses/classes are important and the council should have more places to facilitate these as well as create more opportunities for the community. Whilst helping to provide resources and support all those from the City of Darebin. 

If you feel as strongly as we do or agree that this isn't the right more for Batman Park please support us by writing or emailing the council. Thanks for your time and all the best for 2015 :)