The former Yarra Hills Secondary College site at 150 Cambridge Road will soon have new paths and landscaping. This is the next step towards revitalising the beloved community land.
Council will shortly establish a pathway network around the site, improve drainage, establish garden beds and areas for tree planting, with works also taking place to renew the front fencing to the site.
In 2022, Council purchased the former school site from the State Government, following overwhelming community feedback about protecting the land from development.
Following the purchase, Council created a 10-to-15-year Master Plan for the site using community ideas and feedback.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said that the next phase of first minor works in the Master Plan would shortly get underway, to make the area more usable for community.
"150 Cambridge Road is a site that our community cherish – they stood strongly for Council's purchasing of the site, and we know that locals really want the site to flourish," Cr Higgins said.
"These works, taking place from February, will improve the look and walkability of the park, providing paths and garden beds, improved drainage, sites for tree planting and a new fence along Cambridge Road.
"Fencing will go up shortly around sections of the park, but access to the sports oval and paths at Elizabeth Bridge will stay open. These works are expected to be completed by mid-2026.
"We're looking forward to this next stage getting underway, and we look forward to delivering more at the site as funding becomes available in future years."
This work follows earlier improvements undertaken last year which include footpaths, disabled parking and planting.
The Master Plan, which outlines projects that Council will seek funding for, included ideas for nature play, activity areas, picnic shelter, public toilet and garden features.
These projects will be prioritised by Council, depending on Council budget and funding opportunities from the State and Federal Governments, in future years.
