Brimbank Council has welcomed recent government funding announcements aimed at supporting vital projects across Brimbank in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council welcomes the State Government's announcement that two new park upgrades in Brimbank will receive funding as part of the Suburban Parks Program that include:
- $400,000 for the Glengala Pocket Park, on the corner of Glengala Road and Gum Street in Sunshine West
- $275,000 for an off-leash dog park to be established at Kevin Flint Memorial Reserve in Cairnlea.
The Federal Government has announced a new $500 million Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and also announced bringing forward the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payments to all councils. Under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Brimbank Council will receive $1.132 million for road and community infrastructure projects, that will help deliver support for local jobs and businesses.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou said this is welcome news for the Brimbank community and will deliver much-needed investment in greening our suburbs and improving infrastructure, to support our residents during COVID-19.
'Council welcomes these announcements and will ensure park funding is used to provide quality green open spaces for both dog lovers and for our local neighbourhoods to enjoy.
'The two parks will start opening next year giving people more reason to get outdoors and enjoy a walk in the park with their pets, and spaces to relax with family and friends.
'We also look forward to receiving accelerated federal funding to help us deliver more good things for the community including road safety improvements and upgrades to community facilities throughout Brimbank.
'We recognise the government's support will go a long way in stimulating the local economy and creating jobs at a time when they're most needed in our municipality.
'This comes as Council continues advocating for additional government support for major transformational projects including through the North-West City Deal, St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub, Sunshine Priority Precinct, Melbourne Airport Rail and the Home of the Matilda's bid.
'On behalf of Council, I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the State and Federal governments on what we hope is just the first of more funding announcements to come. We look forward to delivering these projects for our communities and helping to create a thriving city in Melbourne's west,' Cr Papafotiou said.
As part of the Council's COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy, Council will continue advocating with the Federal and State governments seeking support for shovel ready projects that will help deliver health and wellbeing outcomes and support local jobs and businesses during this time.
Council is also engaging governments to align and integrate its Brimbank COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy, including through the Transforming Brimbank Environmental Equity Agenda, which seeks to protect and enhance parklands, creek corridors, open spaces and our biodiversity – through Brimbank's Urban Forest Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy.
Council is continuing to transform Brimbank's park network by implementing the Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan, and since 2008, it has invested around $35 million upgrading and creating 111 parks across Brimbank.
