The group had filled all the seats at the Tuesday, February 18 Campaspe Shire Council meeting, in hopes of advocating for a better deal for the Wilf Cox Pavilion; however, it resulted in a passed recommendation decided by a tiebreaker vote.
The development, as it stands, aims to promote equity and inclusion by creating change rooms for female players and umpires, facilities currently absent at the reserve.
A state grant of $1 million was awarded for the development, and a further $2.2 million from council was conditional on the state grant.
The Wilf Cox Development Group believes the plans do not properly address the growing needs and concerns of user groups of the pavilion.
Tim Nelson, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the gathered residents, expressed the collective sense of disappointment and concern that hung heavy in the chambers after the recommendation was passed.
“It was just a lot of time and effort that has gone in from the community … it clearly hasn’t been thought of by the council,” Mr Nelson said after the meeting.
“Obviously, it’s going to result in a pretty disappointed community.
“This is why you come to these meetings, this is why there’s a vote put forward, this is why we have a chance to speak and voice our opinions, and obviously, this time, we’ve come up short.”
Despite the setback, Mr Nelson affirmed that the verdict wouldn’t weaken the community’s commitment to advocating for improved development at Wilf Cox.
“I don’t think this will be the end of it,” he said.
“You know, whatever channels there are, there are people in this community that can go and have the scope and the drive to take this step forward.”
The Wilf Cox Development Group — comprising user group representatives and passionate community members — convened one week after the council’s decision, on Tuesday, February 25.
The group’s spokesperson emphasised that the campaign for a better Wilf Cox development was far from over.
