Plans for an extensive new park in Melbourne's east are being developed, with tenders now sought for design of the 35-hectare area.
Parks Victoria will oversee establishment of the park which will be created on the site of former freeway reserve that extends for 3.5 kilometres from Springvale Road in Forest Hill to Boronia Road in Vermont.
A community reference group of 30 local residents has also been created to help guide the development of a plan for the park. In addition to a public consultation period that will be held mid-year, this reference group will be a key source of information about how the community currently uses the area and what they would like to see in the future.
A shared walking and cycling trail running the length of the new park has been agreed as a key feature, with other concepts such as paths and connections, toilets, car parking, active spaces and links with community and volunteer groups to be explored.
Situated on Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri people – and in recognising their special interest in preserving natural landscapes of cultural importance – the new park will be given a name by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Protecting the area's Aboriginal cultural heritage and environmental values is a critical focus of the planning and design of the park. Preliminary cultural and environmental assessments already undertaken will be strengthened by further studies over the next 12 months to ensure the new park is sensitively established and managed into the future.
A draft park plan for the freeway reserve is expected to be released for community feedback in the mid-2022, with designs finalised by the end of the year. Subject to assessments and on-ground conditions, works on the new park are expected to commence in early 2023.
The new park is being established with a $10.5 million investment from the Victorian Government.
