By Charlene Macaulay
Werribee and Wyndham Vale could be home to one of three new regional parks proposed for Melbourne’s growth areas.
The state government has proposed a 340-hectare park bordered by McGrath Road to the west, Heaths Road to the south-east and Hogans Road to the north.
Provisionally dubbed the Werribee Township Regional Park, it will incorporate Werribee River and Presidents Park. The proposal is currently before the Regional Parks Standing Advisory Committee, which will make its final recommendations to the state planning minister in October.
If approved, the timing of the development would depend on the public acquisition of a number of parcels of land.
The proposed park is one of three new metropolitan parks being developed across Melbourne’s growth corridors to boost open space. The other parks are proposed for Clyde and Kororoit Creek.
While Wyndham council supports the creation of the park, it has raised concerns about the park’s boundaries, arguing the proposed boundary is inconsistent with precinct structure planning and development. The council is also concerned that more than 98 per cent of the park is planned to be at or below the 100-year flood line.
Cr Tony Hooper said while the park would make a significant contribution to Wyndham’s environment and liveability, this deviation of boundaries had far-reaching implications for … the planned road network, potential discrepancies with approved subdivisions and other infrastructure considerations.
“Defining the boundary and the proposed removal of the unemcumbered land available for recreation before detailed design by the state government could adversely impact the delivery of the Growling Grass Frog Masterplan,” he said.
“It could also limit the ability to plant trees to meet council’s targets of canopy coverage within the city’s [environmental strategies].”
Cr Heather Marcus said that as housing lots grew smaller, it was important for families to have parks to play in.
