Tuesday, 28 May 2024

 Paul HAMER (Box Hill) (19:15): (678) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, and the action that I seek is for the minister to work with the Whitehorse council to enhance and expand the quantity and quality of open space in the Box Hill precinct as part of the Suburban Rail Loop project. In 2001 the suburb of Box Hill had a population of approximately 8800 ‍people and an open space provision of 49 square metres per person. In line with the 2007 Box Hill structure plan, which was prepared by Whitehorse council, development in Box Hill has boomed since then. The 2024 population estimate for Box Hill is 17,700, with council forecasting the population to grow to more than 26,000 by 2041. These estimates do not take into account any planning changes that may occur in the future through the SRL planning processes that are currently underway. Over that same period, there has been a net loss of open space in Box Hill, with one small pocket park opened and approximately 4000 square metres of open space closed or no longer accessible due to changes in the area. Collectively, this has reduced the amount of open space per person from 49 square metres in 2001 to 29 square metres in 2024. Based on council’s population projections alone, the amount of open space per person in Box Hill will reduce to 16 square metres by 2041, a 67 per cent reduction from 2001 levels, even if no further planning changes are approved.

While open space in Box Hill has reduced in absolute and per capita terms over the last 20 years, Whitehorse council has continued to collect revenue through its open space development levy to be spent on land acquisition and open space infrastructure improvement. According to its 2022–23 annual report, council’s open space fund had amassed $58 million for the year ending 30 June 2023. In the last six years alone, this fund had increased by more than $30 million. While a large proportion of these funds would have been collected from developments in Box Hill, just one single 1200 square metre pocket park has been delivered in Box Hill in the last 20 years. Whitehorse council has recently been vocal in the media calling for an improvement to open space in the Box Hill precinct as part of the SRL project. I support these calls. Providing residents of high-density neighbourhoods with access to high-quality open space will enable residents to engage in outdoor exercise and foster a stronger sense of community through shared wellness and experiences. Given its strong advocacy and the money that it has accrued from developments that it has approved in Box Hill over many years, I am sure that Whitehorse council would be very willing to provide a significant financial contribution towards open space enhancement. I look forward to the minister’s response.