Construction of the Granite Hills Major Community Park is officially underway, marking the start of the first of three projects set to transform the Quarry Hills Regional Parkland.
In keeping with its surroundings, the park will have a focus on nature play, provide connections to walking trails and include a boardwalk winding through two bodies of water.
Construction of the waterbodies is currently underway to be followed by work on the park’s entrance and car park.
A playground on site will also feature a 40-metre flying fox, giant slides, a large undercover area with barbecues and tables, as well as public toilets and a Changing Places facility.
The playground is expected to be completed in late 2024.
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the park was an important project in council’s broader vision to activate the Quarry Hills Regional Parkland precinct.
“Not only will the park be a go-to destination for families wanting to spend quality time together in a safe and accessible park, but it will also be the gateway to our municipality’s defining open space feature,” she said.
“The park’s design has been informed by an extensive community consultation process and aligns with our goal of creating Liveable Neighbourhoods, as detailed in our Whittlesea 2040 strategy.”
Construction of the Quarry Hills Connecting Trails project, which will include 5.5 kilometres of walking and cycling trails built to allow people to explore the area’s natural environment, will start in early 2024.
Council has committed $2.5 million towards the project, with the State Government matching that funding with a $2.5 million grant from the Growing Suburbs Fund.
“A park of this size and scale comes at a cost and we thank the Victorian Government for supporting our vision for the site,” Ms Wilson said.
Aboriginal Gathering Place
The vision for the Quarry Hill precinct also includes establishing an Aboriginal Gathering Place to promote reconciliation, cultural connections and improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous residents.
A contractor has now been appointed to design and construct the centre.
The space will have a variety of services and programs to help improve health and wellbeing outcomes for the City of Whittlesea’s growing Aboriginal population, including opportunities for the broader community to learn about Aboriginal culture through story-telling and events.
The City of Whittlesea resolved at its last meeting to award the contract to Victorian-based 2Construct Pty Ltd after a competitive process.
Administrator Peita Duncan said the Aboriginal Gathering Place would be located on Wurundjeri Country and connect to the site’s landscape, flora and fauna.
“We are proud to be progressing such an important project, which we know will empower our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and provide so many benefits,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone who has been involved in getting us to this point, not least of all the Whittlesea Aboriginal Gathering Place Advisory Group and Whittlesea Reconciliation Group.”
The local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has long advocated for a space to engage in cultural practises and knowledge-sharing.
Construction is expected to begin in early-to-mid 2024, with the centre expected to open in 2025.
For more information about the Aboriginal Gathering Place, go to www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/aboriginalgatheringplace.
