Improved facilities for Monbulk football club

Yarra Ranges Shire Council Councillors have agreed to seek authorisation from Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy to rezone a site from Green Wedge to Public Park and Recreation, allowing a new football centre to be built for the Monbulk Rangers Soccer Club.
The Club's planned $7 million centre will include four pitches, a pavilion and car parking.
The Club is one of the largest in Victoria, with more than 600 members playing in 41 teams, and its facilities are stretched to the limit with teams playing at grounds all over the Yarra Ranges shire.
Club Chairman Lisa Doolan said that the facility was desperately needed, stating "the club understands that a development like this will attract some opposition, but the club is at all times willing to work with all stakeholders to ensure there is a good outcome," Ms Doolan said.
Yarra Ranges Shire Councillor Graham Warren said the biggest issue for the club was the lack of infrastructure, adding "unfortunately for the club they have been spread out like Brown's cows for a long period of time, and it makes it very difficult to run a club.
"Just like Brown's cows they tend to play on paddocks here, there and everywhere because there is nowhere else for them to play.
"That's why it is important council has become involved in trying to solve this problem."
All councillors voted for the proposal except Councillor Jeanette McRae who voiced concerns about the loss of farming land.
But Councillor Warren said the only appropriate land the council could find was in a green wedge zone, meaning eight hectares of farming land would be lost.
The council received more than 208 letters and a petition with 371 signatures in support of the project and 20 letters opposing it, with concerns about traffic and lack of car parking.
Once Yarra Ranges Shire Council has received authorisation from the minster, it will put out the planning scheme amendment for public comment.