Family fights for park
When Mal O’Meara looks out the window from his Trafalgar home, it is more than just an open green space that he sees, it is his family’s legacy.
The O’Meara family farm was subdivided 40 years ago to meet a growing need for residential lots in Trafalgar.
As part of the subdivision, Mal’s father Edward contributed more than the required five per cent open space because he wanted to create a linear reserve.
His descendants – son Mal and granddaughter Sarah – now want to protect the linear reserve that Ted intended to be used for parkland.
The 7800 square metre linear reserve, fronting Edward Cres, Rose Crt and Cross St could possibly be lost to new development.
Baw Baw Shire Council is considering selling a 4700 square metre section of the land for residential development. A report to council suggested the land could potentially be worth $800,000.
A petition signed by 523 people was tabled with council last week opposing the sale.
Surrounding residents and the wider community have sent a message to council the park is not for sale and they opposed what they described as a “cash grab” by council.
For Mal and Sarah, it would be even more of a cash grab, saying it is their family history that could be lost.
“The whole idea of that was it would always be parkland.
“The linear reserve is more than just a piece of open space to me. It's the last remnant of the place where I grew up, a farm called Hollydell.
Mal’s grandparents Edward senior and Alice Rose O'Meara purchased Hollydell in 1930 during the Depression and made it prosper.
They had nine children and in 1944 when Edward snr died, Rose was left to run Hollydell with the help of the older children.
In 1952, Mal’s father Edward junior purchased Hollydell and ran it as a dairy farm until the late 1970s when after the death of his wife Gwyen and pressure from the then Narracan Shire, he agreed to subdivide 20 acres for housing.
He used the rest of the property to follow his passion for horse racing and breeding, which he did until selling the remainder of Hollydell in 1989.
The subdivision bears the names of Mal’s grandparents in Edward Cres and Rose Crt. Cross St takes its name from Southern Cross and a salute to those who returned from war, and those who didn't.
Mal said the linear reserve was handed to council on an understanding, and to meet subdivision requirements that it be always used as a recreational area for residents and the wider community.
“It is truly unique in the open space that it provides.
“Dad wanted it all to tie in so it was a connecting reserve from the BMX track to this (the reserve) where kids can kick the footy or fly kites.
“For 30 years they’ve said it’s ok to have it as recreation land but now they want the cash.
“The deal had been done with Dad at the start.
“I don't know what it is that happens when outside developers arrive with one pocket full of cash and the other full of shallow promises, but somewhere along the way the remainder of Hollydell has become Brindlewood Park estate and the promised parkland is nothing more than a large puddle,” Mal said.
A report on the proposed sale and development of the linear reserve will be presented to council on July 8.