PJFC SUPPORTS THE CITY OF STONNINGTON’S AMENDMENT C197 - PROPOSED PUBLIC ACQUISITION OVERLAY IN RESPECT OF 1A FULTON STREET AND 10 & 14 AUBREY STREET, ARMADALE.

Dear PJFC families,

We write to seek your support for the Public Acquisition Overlay (Schedule 3) to the land at:

· 1A Fulton Street, Armadale

· 10 Aubrey Street, Armadale

· 14 Aubrey Street, Armadale

The purpose of the overlay is to identify land for possible future public open space, which in this case would be of direct benefit to TOORAK PARK.

In recent years, the use of the oval and its surrounding facilities has been fully maximised. All of the tenants are experiencing growth in participation and this is no more evidenced in recent times by the growth in the Junior section of our Club, with the growth in teams from 14 to 18 in the 2014, and further growth expected in 2015.

With the impending development of 590 Orrong Road, the demand on the space available at Toorak Park and Victory Square will only increase significantly from both a casual and competitive sport perspective.

The current space available at Toorak Park is far from ideal and we have previously written supporting proposals to re-develop Toorak Park outlining the current concerns:

· The location of the practice wickets, turf and synthetic (both face the setting sun) and turf practice wickets on the ground inhibit the quality of football facilities and the ability of the curator to prepare wickets for practice, particularly pre-season when football is still being played.

· The Social Facilities and Changing Rooms at Toorak Park are outdated and not coping with the modern demands placed on sporting clubs that are participating at the level of the clubs currently tenanted at Toorak Park.

· The lighting at Toorak Park is not meeting the needs of the users.

· The space available does not allow for casual users to maximise the full potential as it is currently being maximised by use for competition.

· The irrigation and drainage in the ground is overdue for upgrade.

· The ground is an unusual shape and re-configuration to an oval shape would enhance the all-round quality of sport being played.

The potential to obtain further land in the area surrounding Toorak Park, we believe is a perfect solution to most of the problems currently being experienced. If land could be acquired to allow facilities that are currently housed on the ground to be relocated off the ground, then this would free up the space more regularly than is currently possible for the local community and the Curator team.

The quality of facilities could be enhanced and the current repair cycle that is required by Council in terms of the ground condition could move to ground maintenance.

The Prahran Football Club has been through a significant journey of development and growth in the past decade. We are more open and inclusive than ever before. Having recommenced the Junior Club in the 2000 with 2 teams, we are now fielding 18 teams, comprising approximately 400 players from 250 families (primarily Stonnington based). In 2014, for the first time we fielded a girls Under 13 team and expect to be fielding 2- 3 girls teams in 2015. In addition, we have seen the Prahran Auskick experience significant growth to now have in the order of 250 enrolments in 2014.

However, at this time, the only feature of our club that can potentially restrict us from reaching full potential and becoming what we aspire to be, a true first class Prahran Community Football Club, are the facilities available at Toorak Park.

The initial drawings and concept of what Toorak Park may look like are truly inspirational and carry our full support. They provide the blueprint that allows Toorak Park to be developed to provide the facilities that not only all the tenant sporting clubs need but the greater City of Stonnington community deserve.

The proposed acquisition of the additional land in Fulton Street and Aubrey Street is in our view a brilliant concept, will allow all of the changes needed at Toorak Park to be made and turn Toorak Park into the community showpiece that all City of Stonnington Residents, Councillors, employees and Tenant Clubs can be rightfully proud of. A once in a generation opportunity!

Yours sincerely,

Jamie Gray & Justin Long

Prahran Junior Football Club (PJFC)