THE wallan wallan Regional Park is on track thanks to a $1 million announcement from State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes.
The funding would see the proposed park boundary defined, with a view on serving 430,000 people by 2036, helping people walk, exercise and explore closer to home.
In it could include a shared trail from Melbourne to Wallan, while the park would also enhance and protect Merri Creek, Herne Swamp, burrung buluk (Hanna Swamp), Kalkallo Creek and Mount Fraser.
A feasability study previosuly done has identified 2800 hectares of public and private land which can contribute, with the next stage now zeroing in on what land to use, while also protecting important landscapes and impacts on land for homes.
Also shaping the plans will be technical investigations, as well as Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners, local communities and stakeholders. This will involve reducing urban heat, restore natural drainage systems and protecting the habitat, while also identifying options for delivering the park.
Ms Symes said this was a big opportunity for Wallan.
“As more families make Melbourne’s north home, we’re planning the parks and open spaces they’ll need for generations to come,” she said.
“We’re putting $1 million into the detailed work to identify where this park could go and how to deliver it.
“This is an opportunity to link Melbourne to Wallan with a shared trail and protect the creeks and wetlands along the way.”
The news came after local groups, such as the Wallan Environment Group, BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, Friends of Merri Creek and Merri Creek Management Committee advocated for 10 years for the parkland, gaining support from multiple groups and the Mitchell Shire Council.
President of the BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, Paul Macgregor, says it was a huge development for the town.
“This is wonderful news, and we thank the Minister for this commitment towards creating the Parkland,” he said.
“We are indebted to Rob Eldridge, former Mitchell Shire Councillor, who has been the prime advocate for the Parkland since the beginning.”
Norbert Ryan, president of the Wallan Environment Group, said he was eager to see how the money would be spent.
“We await the details of exactly how the $1m will be spent, but we’ll take this win for our community,” he said.
“The prospect of extensive subdivision south of Wallan needs to be balanced against protecting the key features of our local environment.”