Whittlesea Public Gardens have been remade to best serve Melbourne's growing north - marking the 200th community facility to have been built or upgraded with support from a vital Andrews Labor Government fund.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today opened the Whittlesea Public Gardens, which have been transformed into a significant hub for the northern suburbs with new playground equipment and an engaging learn-to-ride circuit featuring roundabouts, speed bumps and intersections for youngsters to enjoy.
Supported by a $2 million contribution from the Labor Government's Growing Suburbs Fund, the project was delivered by the City of Whittlesea which also contributed $2 million to the works.
The Growing Suburbs Fund has provided more than $42 million for 46 City of Whittlesea projects, also including the Harvest Home Road Community Pavilion and the Regional All Abilities Playspace.
Since 2015, the fund has supported a total of 346 important local infrastructure projects across Melbourne's diverse and fast-growing outer suburbs, with an investment of $425 million helping to create more than 11,340 jobs. The total project investment for supported initiatives tops $1.2 billion.
In October 2022, 47 additional Growing Suburbs Fund projects were announced, representing a $48.6 million investment across 16 councils.
The local government areas supported through the fund are home to almost one-third of Victoria's population. The population growth of these areas has exceeded the state average for the past two decades and that trend is expected to continue with around 900,000 additional residents forecast to be living in these suburbs by 2036.
The Labor Government is supporting councils to build and upgrade community facilities to ensure communities have access to the facilities they need and deserve.
To find out more about the Growing Suburbs Fund, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants.
As stated by Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne
"This important fund is helping to create stronger communities across our fastest-growing suburbs."
"Thriving communities need places to come together that instill a sense of pride and belonging - and the new Whittlesea Public Gardens provides exactly that. "
As stated by Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny
"Whittlesea Public Gardens is a focal point for Thomastown and Lalor but was in a very run-down state. Our government, through the GSF in partnership with the City of Whittlesea, is bringing it back to life again for everyone to enjoy."
