MORE PLAY AND EXERCISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUME

Families in Hume will soon benefit from brand new park facilities and streetscape upgrade thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

Local Government Minister Shaun Leane, Member for Sunbury Josh Bull and Member for Yuroke Ros Spence have announced that the Growing Suburbs Fund will provide $575,000 towards new and upgraded facilities at the DS Aitken Reserve Skate Park in Craigieburn, Coopers Hill Drive Reserve and Kirwan Park and a streetscape upgrade to Melba Avenue in Sunbury.

The funding will help Hume City Council to deliver expanded skate, scooter and BMX equipment at the skatepark and new play equipment, shade and landscaping at the two playgrounds.

$105,000 will be committed to the upgrade of the Melba Avenue shopping area, including better lighting and pavements, new street furniture and planting, to improve accessibility and encourage more people to use the local shops.

These investments are part of the extension of a $25 million expansion to the Growing Suburbs Fund announced in June as part of the Government’s response to the economic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on fast-growing Melbourne communities.

The Growing Suburbs Fund investment complements the Victorian $2.7 billion Building Works Package, which includes over $278 million in shovel-ready infrastructure projects across the state to be delivered through councils.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has invested $275 million in funding 221 community projects. This has created more than 7470 jobs and leveraged more than $755 million in investment.

A full list of the successful projects is available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants/growing-suburbs-fund.

Quotes attributable to Member for Yuroke Ros Spence

“It’s great to see the Growing Suburbs Fund investing in playgrounds and skateparks – these are small but greatly loved facilities for families.”

“Hume is growing rapidly, with more and more young families moving to the area – this investment helps provide the top-quality facilities they deserve.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull

“The streetscape upgrades to Melba Avenue will improve the amenity and accessibility of the area and will connect the local community with the shopping strip, supporting our local businesses.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane

 “The Growing Suburbs Fund has built a legacy of investment in our fastest-growing communities – creating jobs and delivering the facilities communities need to thrive. This is going to be more crucial than ever as we recover from the impact of coronavirus.”