Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Shorten Reserve, West Footscray

Ms HALL (Footscray) (09:56): The West Footscray ‘Roosters’ Football Club and the Druids Cricket Club are a huge part of my community in Melbourne’s inner west. These large, growing clubs deserve to have the best possible facilities, but unfortunately their home ground of Shorten Reserve has fallen into disrepair. Built on an old tip site, the current state of the oval is horrendous. The oval is currently flooded and is probably the only oval in Victoria where you can choose to kick downhill or uphill. It is very important that you win the coin toss at Shorten Reserve. To borrow some words from social media:

It’s so bad kids from other teams sledge the Roosters …

about the state of the ground. Only three days ago the Roosters junior club started a petition to upgrade Shorten Reserve, and in that short time the petition has amassed almost 900 signatures and is growing.

The upkeep and maintenance of community sporting facilities is a council responsibility. However, with Shorten Reserve I feel the need to step in. To the hundreds of people who have signed the petition calling for upgrades to Shorten Reserve: I want you to know that I have spoken to the minister and I am working on a solution to support council to get the job done once and for all. To the Roosters and the Druids: I am standing with you, and I will get back to you on a plan for the future of Shorten Reserve.