At the time The Mail went to print yesterday, the Land (Revocation of Reservations and Other Matters) Bill was still being debated in Parliament.

Shadow Minister for the Scrutiny of Government David Davis said it was only through parliamentary debate about the bill that the public had learned of plans for social housing at the Whitten Oval.

In a speech to Parliament on September 17, Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said the oval was reserved for recreation purposes under the Footscray (Recreation Ground) Lands Act 1968.

"However, the 'recreation' reservation is too limited to provide for the broad range of activities that will be undertaken following the redevelopment."

Mr Batchelor said these uses would include affordable housing, and the bill would replace the acts that governed use of the oval.

Mr Davis said the Government was trying to bypass the planning process and the Opposition would question it over the matter. "Social housing is needed and supported, but that doesn't mean you don't have a legitimate debate about the design and location."

Maribyrnong Mayor Michael Clarke said the council had "considerable concerns about the way these alterations [to the law] will affect our community".

Greens upper house MP Colleen Hartland said she supported social housing, "but this is not how it's done".

However, a Government spokeswoman said the bill before Parliament had nothing to do with the Bulldogs HomeGround project, which could go ahead regardless of new legislation.