The Andrews Labor Government is preserving the Healesville Freeway Reserve as public open space for the local community.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the reserve, between Springvale Road in Forest Hill and Boronia Road in Vermont, will be transformed into a 3.5 kilometre linear park.
To better understand how the local community would like to use the space the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will hold a broad community consultation.
This consultation is a critical step before undertaking more detailed planning and design of the park.
The land is home to the Nadrasca Community Farm, Vermont Cricket Club, the 18th tee of the Morack Golf Course and the Terrara Preschool. It also provides a playground and sports fields for local schools and a recreation space for the local community.
The reserve is home to 94 indigenous plant species, and includes two of Australia's first community gardens and has the potential to connect to the extensive Dandenong Creek Parklands.
A consultation session will be held on Sunday, 25 September at Vermont Secondary College, Morack Road from 10am to 2pm.
Residents can also provide feedback through an online survey which can be accessed .
A range of pop-up consultations are being held around the area. Further details of times and locations are available on the project website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“It is critical that the local community is able to have a say about how the Healesville Freeway Reserve is developed and managed.”
“Healesville Freeway Reserve provides space for a range of important community activities that are now safeguarded from future development.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan Shaun Leane
“As promised, we are retaining the former Healesville Freeway Reserve as public open space.”
“The Liberals wanted to sell off this Reserve and betray the community, I'm proud that the Andrews Labor Government is retaining this open space.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020