By Alesha Capone
A Wyndham councillor says it is “extremely disappointing” that 60.2 hectares of land earmarked for a regional park in Wyndham has been put up for sale.
Cr Mia Shaw made the comment on Monday, after 600 McGrath Road, Wyndham Vale was advertised for sale through a real estate agency.
The online listing described the site as “150 acres, massive river front, beautiful acreage in the heart of Wyndham Vale”.
A 2018 report from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) stated that the land would be acquired to become part of a future 340-hectare Werribee Township Regional Park, to be delivered by the state government.
The report proposed that the regional park – to be developed over 10 to 15 years – would be adjacent to Presidents Park.
The DWELP document stated that nine plots of land, including 600 McGrath Road, would have to be placed under a Public Acquisition Overlay before being purchased for the future park.
In May this year, Werribee MP Tim Pallas stated the regional park would be developed under the $154 million Suburban Parks Program.
At the time, Mr Pallas said: “The park will be a huge boost for health and wellbeing in our community and indeed across Melbourne”.
Cr Shaw said that Mr Pallas should “honour his promise and stop 61 hectares of parkland being sold into private hands”.
“Now is the time to buy it but with the state government in so much debt, we are concerned this will never be delivered and Wyndham residents will be short-changed again,” Cr Shaw said.
“Our council is doing its part when it comes to parks and open spaces.
“It’s now time for the state government to do its fair share but when we read about how it will be developed in the coming years this concerns us.”
The reason for the land being placed on the market, rather than being acquired for the Werribee Township Regional Park, remains unknown.
Mr Pallas and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio were contacted for comment.
