Council meeting, 28 April 2015 Section 7.2 Page 2 Installation of Fencing and CCTV at the Jack Edwards Reserve Synthetic Pitch 7.2 INSTALLATION OF FENCING AND CCTV AT THE JACK EDWARDS RESERVE SYNTHETIC PITCH (KM: CF2015059) Submitting Councillor: The Mayor, Cr Paul Klisaris MOTION That Council: 1. Considers improving security at the Jack Edwards Reserve by installing: a) a 2.1m fencing with crank around the synthetic pitch, and b) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras with motion sensors monitored by Council’s security contractor, to provide security footage of the synthetic pitch; 2. Undertakes community consultation with regards to: a) the proposed change of classification of the entire Jack Edwards Reserve to be a dog on-leash reserve at all times. Dogs will not be permitted on the synthetic pitch, b) the proposed change to the off street car park to allow access for motor vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles only. Large vehicles including trucks and buses will not be permitted access, and c) the proposed fencing heights and reserve access times; and 3. Receive a further report in the June 2015 Council meeting cycle detailing the outcomes of the community information and consultation process. INTRODUCTION Due to the significant investment and recent damage, this motion proposes that Council considers: a) increasing security for the synthetic pitch at Jack Edwards Reserve Oakleigh; b) changing the classification of the reserve from a dog off-leash reserve to a dog on-leash reserve; and c) changing the off street car park access to motor vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles only. DISCUSSION Council has invested $1.5M to construct a synthetic pitch at Jack Edwards Reserve. In addition Council received a State Government grant for $553K for water harvesting and storage. The reserve is now the premier sporting facility in our municipality. Only weeks prior to opening, vandals used an
Transcript
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Installation of Fencing and CCTV at the Jack Edwards Reserve Synthetic Pitch
7.2 INSTALLATION OF FENCING AND CCTV AT THE JACK EDWARDS RESERVE SYNTHETIC PITCH (KM: CF2015059) Submitting Councillor: The Mayor, Cr Paul Klisaris
MOTION That Council: 1. Considers improving security at the Jack Edwards Reserve by
installing: a) a 2.1m fencing with crank around the synthetic pitch, and b) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras with motion sensors
monitored by Council’s security contractor, to provide security footage of the synthetic pitch;
2. Undertakes community consultation with regards to: a) the proposed change of classification of the entire Jack Edwards
Reserve to be a dog on-leash reserve at all times. Dogs will not be permitted on the synthetic pitch,
b) the proposed change to the off street car park to allow access for motor vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles only. Large vehicles including trucks and buses will not be permitted access, and
c) the proposed fencing heights and reserve access times; and 3. Receive a further report in the June 2015 Council meeting cycle
detailing the outcomes of the community information and consultation process.
INTRODUCTION
Due to the significant investment and recent damage, this motion proposes that Council considers:
a) increasing security for the synthetic pitch at Jack Edwards Reserve Oakleigh;
b) changing the classification of the reserve from a dog off-leash reserve to a dog on-leash reserve; and
c) changing the off street car park access to motor vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles only.
DISCUSSION
Council has invested $1.5M to construct a synthetic pitch at Jack Edwards Reserve. In addition Council received a State Government grant for $553K for water harvesting and storage. The reserve is now the premier sporting facility in our municipality. Only weeks prior to opening, vandals used an
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accelerant to set fire to multiple sections of the synthetic grass (Refer Attachment 1). To secure this premier sporting facility and deter any further vandalism attacks, it is proposed to install:
a) a 2.1 metre perimeter fence (with crank) around the synthetic pitch; and
b) a motion sensitive CCTV system (with a minimum of eight wireless day/night security cameras) to be monitored by Council’s security contractor to provide security footage of the synthetic pitch.
Community Access to the Synthetic Pitch (Refer to Attachment 2 – red section of the site map)
Access to the synthetic pitch for the community will be available via pedestrian gates which will be locked overnight by Council’s security contractor. Access for the community will be available between dawn and dusk. Bookings can be made outside of those hours. Following Council’s significant investment to construct a synthetic soccer pitch, there is a need to appropriately protect the surface. It is proposed that dogs will not be permitted access on the synthetic pitch at any time. Appropriate signage would be installed to advise users of the change in classification.
Community Access to the Natural Turf Pitch (Refer to Attachment 2- green section of the site map)
The community will be permitted to access the natural turf pitch outside of training and games. Gates will remain unlocked to allow the community to walk through the reserve. The Oakleigh Cannons Football Club will be permitted to lock the gates for any National Premier League Victoria game (up to two hours prior and immediately post game) to restrict access other than to spectators and associated club patrons.
Community Access to the Remaining Reserve (Refer to Attachment 2- blue section of the site map)
The areas south of the natural turf and synthetic pitches will remain available at all times for community use between dawn and dusk.
Access by Dog Walkers
Currently, Jack Edwards Reserve is designated as one of Council’s 31 dog off-leash areas. There has been recent evidence of damage to the natural turf pitch and reported failure of dog owners to clean up after their pets.
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With the construction of the synthetic pitch, officers have needed to consider the use of the reserve in its entirety and have recommended that it is appropriate that the remainder of the reserve be reclassified from a dog off-leash to a dog on-leash reserve. Council acknowledges that the change of the land use may disappoint our dog walkers, however changing the reserve classification to a dog on-leash reserve is required to protect this premier community asset from further damage. Alternate dog off-leash areas are located at Princes Highway Reserve, Argyle Reserve and Carlson Reserve.
Community Access to Off Street Car Park
Due to the recent damage by a truck or similar large vehicle to the landscaping in the off street car park (refer Attachment 3), it is proposed to allow access for motor vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles only. Large vehicles including trucks and buses will not be permitted access at any time. Council acknowledges that the change of access may affect current usage by local businesses, however this will ensure availability for community use whilst preserving community amenity. COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS It is proposed that a community consultation process be conducted during May 2015. As part of this process, officers will conduct community information sessions to seek feedback from:
a) dog walkers and the community of the proposed changes and alternative open space reserves for dog off-leash areas;
b) local businesses of the proposed access changes to the reserves off-street car park; and
c) Reserve users in relation to the fencing height around the synthetic pitch and proposed reserve access times.
An online survey will also be conducted and letters will be sent to residents and businesses in the adjacent area regarding the proposed changes. Once the consultation process is completed, a report will be made to Council who will consider any submissions made and determine whether to proceed with the proposed changes in June 2015.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Council Order No. 3 (Revised) of Monash City Council was made on 5 August 1997 and amended on 2 subsequent occasions. This Order requires that all dogs be leashed in all public places except for designated areas. Jack Edwards Reserve was declared a designated area under this Order. If a decision is made to proceed with the proposed changes, the Schedule to Council Order No. 3 would need to be amended by removing Jack
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Edwards Reserve from the list of designated areas. A further amendment would need to be made to prohibit the presence of dogs on the synthetic pitch. Section 26(3) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires that such an Order be published in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in Council’s municipal district. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Table 1 provides the indicative budget required for increased security at Jack Edwards Reserve. Year 1 will require an investment of $95,800 (one off capital costs of $91,000 and operational monitoring/security costs of $4,800) and an ongoing operational cost of $4,800 from year 2 onwards. Table 1: Indicative Costs
One-off Installation Costs
Installation of new fencing and upgrading existing fencing to include the crank
$65,000
Installation of CCTV (involving a network of a minimum of 8 cameras)
$26,000
Total Capital Expenditure $91,000
Ongoing Costs
Annual CCTV Monitoring $1,800 per annum
Security patrols to lock and unlock the reserve $3,000 per annum
Total ongoing costs $4,800 per annum
This proposal is not currently budgeted. Should Council proceed, costs will be confirmed following a tender process. CONCLUSION Despite the additional costs, Jack Edwards Reserve is now the premier soccer facility within the City of Monash and one that we should be extremely proud of. Given the level of investment to date and in light of the recent vandalism, it is proposed that Council protects this important asset by installing additional security measures. It is further proposed that a community consultation process be commenced regarding the prohibition of dogs on the synthetic pitch, the declaration of Jack Edwards Reserve as a dog on-leash area, access times to the reserve, the installation of additional fencing and CCTV system, and changes to the off-street car park. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Vandalism to Synthetic Pitch Attachment 2 Site Map Attachment 3 Damage to Car Park Landscaping
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Attachment 1: Vandalism to Synthetic Pitch
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Attachment 2: Site Map
Code: Red section: new fencing around synthetic pitch, no dogs permitted. Blue section: Dog on-leash area. Green section: Natural turf pitch now requiring dog on-leash.
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