Wednesday, 23 September 2026

 Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo) presented a petition bearing 215 signatures:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly that immediate steps be taken to establish and deliver the wallan wallan Regional Park (the Parkland) as presented in the State Government commissioned study ‘Feasibility for wallan wallan Regional Park Report’ 2022. The Parkland will protect 3,000 hectares in the upper reaches of the Merri Creek in the face of accelerating growth in Melbourne’s north, featuring wetlands and waterways for wildlife including migratory populations of threatened birds. Alongside the urbanising landscape, the Parkland will provide a place for the community to explore nature together. Shared trails will enable cycling from Melbourne to Wallan. Importantly, it will also mitigate the impacts of flooding by including space for water containment and treatment. Without this, disastrous floods may affect land from Wallan through to Melbourne. The State Government is moving ahead with housing and industrial projects in this region. The same focus must be shown to the provision of parkland and conservation of natural areas. Priority projects to deliver the Parkland should be included within the 2026–‍27 State Budget and following years, including studies in hydrology and Indigenous cultural values.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria call on the Government to commit to the establishment and adequate funding of the 3,000 hectare wallan wallan Regional Park and to complete research studies to address knowledge gaps and ensure well-informed holistic parkland planning.