The train wreck continues.
I would like to know who the AFL negotiator is.
Friends of the racecourse requested a public forum, I imagine the MFC will fob them off as well, hopeless just hopeless.
Response from the council regarding our petition for a public meeting
Thank you for your recent petition submitted to the last Ordinary Meeting of Council held on
Thursday 13 June, 2024, requesting that Council holds a public forum to discuss the proposal for
Melbourne Football Club to reside permanently at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. At the
meeting Councillors resolved to accept the petition and referred it to me as Chief Executive
Officer to respond.
From the wording accompanying the petition you, and other petitioners, are aware that the
proposal under consideration is not a Council project, nor is Council a decision maker. While
Council has been consulted on technical aspects relating to the alignment of the project with
Council’s endorsed Structure Plan and recreation and open space strategies, we are not the
best party to hold a forum on this matter. We are unable to speak with any authority on the
feasibility project, nor are we privy to all of the information that community members might
seek clarity on.
We do agree that is important for the Melbourne Football Club, and even the Caulfield
Racecourse Reserve Trust as the responsible landowner, to share as much information as
possible with interested community members. In response to your petition I have reached out
to the Club and the consultants supporting them in conducting the feasibility study. I have
offered to host a forum where they could brief the community on their plans and answer any
questions. Councillors and council officers could also attend that forum and hear first hand the
issues raised.
I understand that the Club is currently considering my request, and once I hear back from them
I will provide further advice. In the meantime you may wish to also direct your advocacy for a
public forum to the relevant State MPs as the State Government holds the ultimate authority
over the project, including its communication and engagement plan.
Regards
Rebecca McKenzie
Chief Executive Officer