Thursday, 1 June 2023

Ministers statements: open space funding

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:20): I have got some exciting news to share with Victorian families in relation to their beloved pets. The Victorian budget has allocated over $13 million towards the development of dog parks right across the state. We are delivering new dog parks for Mount Waverley, Armstrong Creek, Wollert, Sydenham, Wantirna and Endeavour Hills, and we are upgrading a further 22 dog parks, recognising that the furry members of our families deserve a safe and enjoyable space to play and socialise in. We want to see our parks filled with our four-legged friends, and this builds on the great work done through the local parks program that invested $5 million into 14 new dog parks in metropolitan Melbourne and a $2.5 million building works package to deliver 17 new dog parks in regional Victoria.

It is not only dogs, though, that are benefiting from our massive investment in open space. The $315 million suburban parks program is creating 6500 hectares of new and upgraded parks and trails. Local park programs have invested $35 million in new pocket parks, and we have invested $10 million towards revitalising existing parks. This budget builds on this, with our $7 million commitment to delivering better parks and playgrounds. So wherever you live, we are doing what matters and investing in open spaces near you.