By Charlene Macaulay
Werribee’s former Glen Devon Primary School site will be transformed into a multi-use park next year thanks to an $870,000 state government grant.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas last week announced that the site would be redeveloped to include pathways, park benches, drinking fountains and a nature space for children, and that it would be made suitable for a range of activities, including ball games, dog walking and other social activities.
He said work would begin in June next year and be completed later that year.
As reported by Star Weekly in January, the former Glen Devon site, on Market Road, had become an eyesore and attracted antisocial behaviour since the school closed in 2010. Its buildings were extensively damaged by fire in late 2011.
“It didn’t leave much of a community statement,” Mr Pallas said. “What it left was … unfinished work to do.
“We do need to remediate this site and the way that it is owned by the community and [make it] something that is seen as an asset that the community can enjoy.”
Wyndham councillor Mia Shaw, who advocated for the Glen Devon site to be restored and made available for community use, said she was glad the government had listened.
“Finally, we’re going to be able to use this [site] in a positive way,” she said.
The grant is part of $3.82 million going to six Wyndham projects through the state’s Growing Suburbs Fund, including:
•$1 million for the Grange Community Centre redevelopment.
•$1 million for a new youth surfer outreach bus.
•$425,000 for the Central Park Community Centre redevelopment.
•$325,000 to upgrade Golden Square Reserve in Hoppers Crossing.
•$200,000 for the redevelopment of Friars Place Park in Point Cook.
Wyndham council has chipped in $2.8 million towards four of these projects.
Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard thanked the state government for the funding contributions.
