Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — (12 907) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and the action I am seeking is for the minister to provide an update on the $1.4 million upgrade of Greenvale Reservoir Park. It was fantastic to have the minister visit the park last year for a community open day, which gave residents the opportunity to provide feedback on draft plans for this important local recreation area. I know that the plans for the new walking and cycling area, improved picnic, barbecue and playground equipment, as well as better road access will make the park even better. With the upgrade underway I know local residents would appreciate an update from the minister on how work on our much loved park is progressing.

Response:

The upgrade of Greenvale Reservoir Park in Melbourne’s north will preserve and revitalise a valuable local recreational area for generations to come.

The Government’s improvement to the park follows work by Melbourne Water since 2014 to strengthen the dam wall and better protect the reservoir’s water resource for Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs.

Features of the park include walking and cycling paths, large open spaces, picnic facilities, a playground and barbecues.

This is an important area of green recreational space with so much building activity underway in the surrounding suburbs of Melbourne’s north.

Current work will improve the park through: Better access at Somerton Rd., Greenvale, with new fencing, planting attractive vegetation and left and right hand turning lanes to enter and leave the park, improved visitor facilities in the main picnic areas, and a clean-up of the northern area

Parks Victoria held a successful Community Open Day on 5 February this year, which I attended, along with representatives of Hume City Council and local groups like Aitken College, the Craigieburn Scouts and many local families.

As a major step in this program Parks Victoria is currently working towards re-opening of the northern precinct of the park to the public.

Older infrastructure in the northern area such as park furniture, picnic facilities and a rundown toilet block has been removed.

As soon as the north re-opens the community will regain access to the beautiful views of the reservoir and across the city to the CBD, with a track network in place for cyclists and pedestrians.

Work on improved access at the park entrance is also expected to begin as soon as the winter weather clears.

Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change
Minister for Suburban Development