Tuesday, 28 May 2024

 Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (13:00): Last week I had the great pleasure of reopening our beloved Silvan Reservoir Park in the Dandenong Ranges. Situated on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, this 93-year-old park is cherished by families, nature lovers and our local hills communities. This wonderful space has undergone essential repairs and upgrades, allowing it to reopen after being closed due to a failing septic system in late 2022. Funded through the Allan Labor government’s $21 million urban parks active wellbeing program, this project has seen the construction of new disability-friendly toilets and barbecues, ensuring the park is accessible and safe for all visitors. If they are willing to brave the food-stealing kookaburras, visitors can now enjoy several other improvements, including refurbished picnic benches by the Ferntree Gully men’s shed and over 400 square metres of resurfaced asphalt paths. I have been visiting Silvan since I was a child. The park’s vibrant birdlife, sweeping views and inviting picnic spots are just as enchanting now as they were then. I am thrilled that many more people will continue to create their own cherished memories here too.

Our parks and reserves play an integral role in the health and wellbeing of our local communities across Victoria. The urban parks active wellbeing program is upgrading 21 parks across Melbourne, and in the Monbulk district alone the program has delivered significant improvements at several sites. The Ferntree Gully picnic area now boasts new barbecues, picnic tables, drinking fountains, shelter and a playground. Grants Picnic Ground on the edge of Sherbrooke Forest has also been enriched. Make the most of the wonderful parks we have in this magical autumn weather. Go visit them and enjoy the new and improved facilities.