Thursday, 4 May 2023

Clarinda electorate chain of parks

Meng Heang TAK (Clarinda) (17:16): (154) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Environment. The action I seek is for the minister to provide the latest update on the sandbelt chain of parks. It has been a privilege working together with the minister, the City of Kingston, my good friend Cr Steve Staikos and groups and individuals in the community to make the sandbelt chain of parks become a reality.

For many years the residents have lived with historical landfill sites in the City of Kingston, and together we have worked toward the vision of transforming that remediated land into a series of linked parks. It is an ambitious vision, some 355 hectares of parks that offer a wide range of recreational facilities and open spaces within our green wedge, creating networks or chains of parks, but it is one that the Andrews Labor government proudly committed to in 2018. It was an amazing commitment, 355 hectares from Warrigal Road in Moorabbin to Braeside Park in Dingley Village, with walking and biking trails and an adventure play area for local kids, an amazing commitment that we are delivering.

Last year we acquired 83 of the remaining 118 hectares. These parcels were acquired in Heatherton, Clarinda and Clayton South and will be protected from development. Once rehabilitated, the parcels will form a connected chain of parks, trails and open spaces through the Clarinda district. This is an amazing result for the community, hundreds of hectares of connected parkland for families to enjoy and explore, with bike trails and walking trails so they have even more opportunity to get active together. I thank the minister, and I am looking forward to her response.