Box Hill electorate
Paul HAMER (Box Hill) (14:46): (20) My question is for the Minister for Environment in the other place. What update can the minister provide on the upgrades at Wattle Park in my electorate of Box Hill? Wattle Park is a much-loved park in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with significant natural and cultural heritage. The park contains natural bushland, including remnant indigenous flora and fauna. It is well known and indeed named for its plantation of 12,000 wattle trees within its boundaries. Of course no mention of Wattle Park would be complete without a reference to the tramways, which originally established the park in 1917, and this link continues through to the present through the monthly performances of the Melbourne Tramways Band, and of course the iconic W-class trams in the middle of the park. Thanks to the strong advocacy of my friend the former member for Burwood and current member for Ringwood, the Andrews Labor government is investing $4.3 million in a new all-abilities playscape and an upgraded walking and running track at Wattle Park as part of our $315 million suburban parks program. The residents of Surrey Hills, Burwood and Box Hill South are eagerly awaiting completion of the works, and I look forward to an update.