Labor candidate for the seat of Tangney, Sam Lim with Leeming Spartan Cricket Club president Peter Coombs.
The Leeming Spartan Cricket Club has revised its plans for land clearing at the John Connell Reserve in Leeming, Australia, reducing the area from 0.68 hectares to 0.38 hectares. This decision follows significant community opposition, including a petition with 244 signatures urging the preservation of local trees. The club’s original proposal sought approval from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for expansion of playing space, which received conditional approval in July.
Community concern intensified after the City of Melville voted on October 14, 2023, to defer a motion that would prohibit tree removal until the viability of plantings at Ken Hurst Park was assessed. The council’s decision came after strong advocacy from local residents and users of the reserve, who packed the public gallery during the meeting.
The clearing permit currently mandates that work must commence before July 23, 2027. Club president Peter Coombs reassured attendees that no work will begin until all aspects of the proposal have been finalized. He expressed a commitment to preserving as many trees as possible, stating, “We want the trees around the oval. We want the canopy. We want to save as much as we can.”
The planned extension is part of a broader redevelopment aimed at enhancing the reserve’s facilities, a process that Coombs described as making the site the “envy of every other council.” He emphasized that the club has engaged with the city throughout the redevelopment phases, prioritizing community concerns and stakeholder interests.
The new playing fields are crucial for accommodating the growing number of club members. Coombs noted the ongoing challenges with field availability across the region, saying, “Our association had to cancel all bottom games on Saturday as there were no playing fields available.” He highlighted that junior teams, including the junior girls’ team, have had to seek venues in other areas due to the lack of local options.
During the council meeting, then-deputy mayor Karen Wheatland indicated that a recent survey suggested a preference among residents for playing fields on a nearby vacant landfill site. Coombs acknowledged this alternative but raised concerns about the estimated $50 million cost involved with such a project. “Money is an object. I can’t go past that,” he stated, underscoring the financial barriers to relocating the fields.
City manager for natural areas and parks, Jeff Bird, reported that approximately 200 trees would be impacted by the expansion. He noted that while discussions about the landfill site have occurred, there are significant challenges related to its remediation and viability.
Bird further informed the council that plans for Ken Hurst Park include the introduction of around 215,000 plants, with expectations that approximately 70 percent would survive after four years. The council has allocated $100,000 to develop a report assessing the costs associated with remediating the park, which is anticipated by April.
As the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club navigates these developments, the balance between community interests and the need for expanded sporting facilities remains a focal point of discussion among stakeholders.
