809: Constituency Questions

Kat Theophanous to ask the Minister for Environment — 

(809) My question is to the Minister for Environment, and I ask: what are the next steps the Victorian government is taking to deliver an uplift to Merri Common in my electorate of Northcote? Residents living in the area around Merri train station have long advocated for improvements to the Merri Common, an important local reserve in our busy urban suburbs. We were thrilled when the Labor government committed $1.5 million for the design and delivery of upgrades to this space. Since then it has been a long road through the bureaucracy of Metro, VicTrack and Darebin council, but I am excited to inform residents that we are getting closer, with Darebin council having agreed to appoint a project manager and begin early preparations for community consultation. Excitingly the funding envelope has allowed us to expand the scope of the project to Peters Reserve nearby, which has a much-loved kids playground. Just a few weeks back my family joined in celebrating 20 years since locals rallied together to save Peters Reserve from being sold by the council, an outstanding example of community advocacy. Residents will welcome knowing next steps on the $1.5 million commitment to improve these vital open spaces.

Answer - 9 October 2024

The Victorian Government has made available $1.5 million in funding for Darebin City Council as part of our Better Parks and Playgrounds program which seeks to improve Victoria’s open space network so that Victorians have easy access to much needed green open space to exercise, relax or just enjoy the outdoors.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working closely with Darebin City Council to confirm the proposed scope of enhancements at four parks in Northcote including at Merri Common, Peters Reserve, Caddayes Corner and Green Memorial Reserve.

Once the scope is finalised, Darebin City Council will undertake a community engagement process with local residents to obtain feedback on the proposed park enhancements. It is anticipated that the community engagement process will be undertaken in late 2024 or early 2025, depending on the progress of the draft concept plans.

The park enhancements at Merri Common will include increased connectivity, amenity and pathway improvements to improve the overall appeal and accessibility of the park. Community views will be obtained for proposed features such as a drinking fountain with dog bowl, picnic facilities, rewilding, landscaping and a bike pump track.

I would also highlight the Victorian Government’s broader investment of over $315 million across Melbourne into parks and open space in recent years which has included funding for Penders Park, Thornbury, Ruthven Reserve, Preston, Oakover Pocket Park, Preston, Alphington Park, Alphington and improvements to the Deep Rock Road Pavilion at Yarra Bend Park.

I look forward to seeing the progress made to improve the open space at both Merri Common and Peters Reserve in Northcote and look forward to visiting once plans are finalised for these fantastic projects.

Steve Dimopoulos MP

Member for Oakleigh

Minister for Environment