A $2.5 million investment from the state government is set to help reinvigorate the Tarneit area, including a project to celebrate a local water tower, create dog off-leash areas and host movie nights.
The Suburban Revitalisation program includes the $150,000 Cowies Hill Water Tower Lighting initiative, which will see decorative night lighting installed on the facility.
In a collaboration between Wyndham council, Greater Western Water and Melbourne Water, specialist lighting designers will be invited to develop a proposal that can include a range of different lighting and projection features.
Residents will be consulted on the proposed designs as they are developed, with installation due to be completed by mid-2022.
The Suburban Revitalisation program will also invest $330,000 to upgrade Sunset Views Boulevard, which is the only pedestrian link between Tarneit train station and nearby community facilities, residential areas and shopping centre.
Enhancements such as pedestrian lighting, artistic linear shelter structure and boulevard tree planting will feature.
Suburban Revitalisation Boards have been established in each area where the state government has provided funding for upgrades, including in Melton and Broadmeadows.
The state government is investing $21.25 million across two years into suburban eight boards through the 2020-21 Victorian budget.
Member for Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly, who is also the Tarneit Revitalisation Board chair, said she was excited to see the future works in the suburb.
“I’m thrilled to chair the Tarneit Revitalisation Board as we bring together service providers, businesses and community groups to identify local priorities and deliver exciting projects such as these,” Ms Connolly said.
Other projects which the Suburban Revitalisation program will fund in Tarneit include:
-Tarneit Dog off-leash area
This project will kick start the delivery of new fenced dog off-leash areas, together with a broader park network revitalisation program.
The new facilities will include a 30 x 50 emtre fenced area, agility equipment, shade and shelter and a drinking fountain.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $62,000 in funding for the project due to be completed by mid-2022.
-Tarneit Parks Network Revitalisation Project
The parks of Moondara, Camelot, Samaria Street and Tarneit Lakes will include upgraded play spaces, new nature play areas, fitness equipment stations and seating.
More trees will be planted to increase canopy cover, provide shade on hot days and enhance biodiversity.
The state government is providing $465,000 to the project with Wyndham council contributing $600,000.
-Penrose Community Centre – Community Garden
The $75,000 project will use under-utilised parkland to create a community garden. With smaller residential lots in Tarneit, limited opportunities exist for residents to have vegetable gardens at home.
Wyndham council is working with the Pasifika Community Australia (PCA) on the proposal which will include a fenced community garden, raised and at-grade planter beds, community gathering spaces, shed and water tanks, water
connection and plants.
The PCA will be required to distribute a proportion of food grown to the community via a community market.
-Arts Placemaking & Social Connection Program
The $100,000 program is based on the successful pilot project Hello Togetherness, a creative placemaking project that recruits families and diverse households to create public artworks that are presented throughout their neighbourhood.
The proposed project aims to encourage social connection and the transformation of neighbourhoods into evolving gallery spaces and experiences that generate vibrant points of pride, connection and conversation in local spaces.
-Tarneit Place Activation Program (Stage 1)
The $275,000 Activation Program aims to create vibrant community activities around Tarneit. This includes funding for eight events to be run across two months – four music events and four movie events.
Funding will also support the engagement of a suitable consultant to undertake community engagement with an aim of informing future activation opportunities, which may include pop-up parks and events throughout the year.
-Tarneit Place Activation Program (Stage 2)
This $210,000 project will deliver a second stage of the Tarneit Place Activation Program, supported by a “place manager in resident” pilot position for 12 months, responsible for program and project coordination and the delivery of the Activation Program, including the planning of 16 events and a market, between January 2022 and April 2022.
Ms Connolly said: ”With so many events and activities on their way, there will be something for everyone to enjoy in our local community, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For more information about the projects, head to: suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au
