Wednesday, 19 June 2024

 Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:47): (690) My question is to the Minister for Environment. Parks Victoria have, without consultation with a single local resident, removed the playground at Dickinson reserve in Kew. Parks Victoria have pointed to a recent upgrade to a playground at Andrews Reserve as compensation for the loss of play equipment at Dickinson reserve. Had they bothered to talk to the local community, they might have given themselves the opportunity to understand that the Andrews Reserve playground, which is over a 1-kilometre walk away along a busy main road, does not make up for the loss of play equipment at Dickinson reserve. I have spoken to the minister about this issue on many occasions. I understand he has directed Parks Victoria to replace the playground at Dickinson reserve, and I thank him for that. He understands that local young families want and need this playground. He understands that this playground is needed, and he is not requiring Parks Victoria to now undertake belated and elongated consultation. So I ask: will the minister ask Parks Victoria why they are delaying this decision to immediately replace the playground at Dickinson reserve in Kew?