Media Release: PLANNING A NEW PARK FOR MELTON SOUTH

FROM THE MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

DATE: Friday, August 31, 2007

PLANNING A NEW PARK FOR MELTON SOUTH

Nearly 100 hectares of land along Toolern Creek south of Melton will become a new park for the community to enjoy.

Environment Minister Gavin Jennings today said the Brumby Government was investing $3.3 million to create the new park.

“This new park is a wonderful community asset for the residents of the Melton region and the broader community,” Mr Jennings said.

“It is located approximately three kilometres south of the existing Melton township and when fully developed will stretch south from Bridge Road along two kilometres of the Toolern Creek.”

Mr Jennings said the Shire of Melton had provided the land to Parks Victoria who would develop and manage the new park.

“To ensure the new park caters for local and broader community needs, I encourage residents to submit their views on the facilities and activities they would like to see at the new park,” he said.

“We also want to hear ideas about names for sites and features within the new park to use for picnic grounds, trails and other sites of interest.”

Mr Don Nardella, Member for Melton, said the first stage of community consultation was now underway, with Parks Victoria releasing an information paper showing the location of the park, its cultural and environmental values and future recreation possibilities.

“Parks Victoria is currently developing a management plan to guide the development of the park for the next 10 years,” Mr Nardella said.

“The community response will be used as an important input into this.”

Mr Jennings said Parks Victoria was currently planning for the development of new parklands in areas of residential growth such as Melton.

“Metropolitan Melbourne and the surrounding area is renowned for the quality of its parks,” Mr Jennings said.

“Parks are particularly important in areas where existing open space is limited which is why this new park will be such a great asset for the community to enjoy.”

The “Have Your Say” information paper is available for comment until Monday 22 October 2007.

Copies are available from the Parks Victoria website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or from the Shire of Melton website at www.melton.vic.gov.au. Hard copies can be obtained by calling the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 19 63.