Families and communities in Melbourne’s east have extensive new parklands to look forward to, with the appointment of AECOM to design the development of a 35-hectare stretch currently known as the Healesville Freeway Reserve.
The Victorian Government has provided $10.5 million to establish the new park on undeveloped land that runs between Springvale Road in Forest Hill and Boronia Road in Vermont.
A shared walking and cycling trail will be a feature, with other elements such as visitor facilities and active spaces to be explored with Traditional Owners, local stakholder groups, and community members.
The development of new parklands in eastern Melbourne follows the recent release of draft plans for another three regional parks. The new parks at Werribee, Kororoit and Clyde are part of the Victorian Government’s $315 million investment to unlock 6,500 hectares of new and upgraded accessible green space for Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs.
In addition to boosting liveability and supporting healthy communities, urban parks provide essential habitat for native plants and wildlife, supporting biodiversity while also helping reduce emissions.
Situated on Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri people, the new 35-hectare parklands in Melbourne’s east will be given a name by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
A draft park layout plan is also being developed with input from a community reference group of 30 local residents. This plan will be released later this year for wider community feedback, while designs for the park will be finalised by the end of 2022.
Subject on-ground and construction industry conditions, works on the new park are expected to commence in 2023.
Information about community engagement opportunities will be available on the Engage Victoria website, while more information about the project is available at www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects.
