Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 31 October 2003
Community secures public open space
Residents in Melbourne’s North West have gained 17 hectares of public open
space, with today’s sale of former Defence Department land in West
Essendon to the City of Moonee Valley.
Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr. Mark Kennedy, said the Council’s purchase of
the Afton Street land brought a successful end to three years of negotiations
with the Australian Government and the Department of Defence.
“My community is thrilled to have this environmentally significant land back in
its hands and protected against residential development,” Cr Kennedy said.
“Urban development on this site would have significantly disturbed the
amenity of nearby residents, and denied us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
link open space and habitat corridors along the Maribyrnong River.”
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Fran Bailey, said the
Australian Government was pleased to support Council’s priority sale.
“The property will result in a significant contribution to local open space for the
local community to enjoy for years to come,” Ms Bailey said.
“The property is being sold with appropriate environmental clearances, which
have been ratified by an independent environmental auditing process.
“This is a good example of the Australian Government and the local Council
working cooperatively together in the best interests of the community.”
The City of Moonee Valley has purchased the land for $900,000.
Cr Kennedy said environmental audits undertaken on the site had identified it
as being suitable for use as public open space.
“The purchase of Afton Reserve will enable us to significantly enhance a
regional wildlife corridor along the Maribyrnong River,” Cr Kennedy said.
“The Reserve is home to significant remnant flora and fauna and areas of
valuable native fauna habitat increasingly rare in urban areas.”
Studies undertaken on the site between 1996-2001 found:

Two areas of Western Basalt Plains Grassland

25 regionally significant species of indigenous plants

potential habitat and occurrence of the nationally significant Striped
Legless Lizard

areas of valuable native fauna habitat including five ‘birds of prey’ using
open grassland areas, small passerine birds including thornbills and
silvereyes using the shrub layer and waterbirds using the riparian fringe
Cr Kennedy said the Council would now work with local residents to prepare a
Master Plan for the reserve.
“We are very grateful for the unflagging passion of residents who formed the
Save The Afton Street Hill group and lobbied local, State and Australian
governments to get today’s result,” Cr Kennedy said.
Media Inquiries:
Myra Krafft (Council) tel 9243 8846 or 0413 835 061
Kevin Lowe (Fran Bailey) tel 0408 404 468