Community park to unlock vision for precinct

Construction of the Granite Hills Major Community Park – the first of three projects set to transform the Quarry Hills Regional Parkland – is officially under way.

Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio joined City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson on 15 September for the project’s ceremonial turning of the first sod.

In keeping with its spectacular surroundings, the park will have a focus on nature play, provide connections to walking trails and include a boardwalk winding through two waterbodies.

The playground will also feature a 40m flying fox, giant slides, a large undercover area with barbecues and tables, as well as public toilets and a Changing Places facility.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the park is an exceptionally important project in Council’s broader vision to activate the Quarry Hills Regional Parkland precinct.

That vision includes establishing an Aboriginal Gathering Place to promote reconciliation, cultural connections and improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous residents.

Construction of the Quarry Hills Connecting Trails project, which will see 5.5km of walking and cycling trails built to allow people to explore the area’s natural environment, will start in early 2024.

“Not only will the park be a go-to destination for families wanting to spend quality time together in a safe and accessible park, but it will also be the gateway to our municipality’s defining open space feature,” Lydia said.

“The park’s design has been informed by an extensive community consultation process and aligns with our goal of creating Liveable Neighbourhoods, as detailed in our Whittlesea 2040 strategy.”

Council has committed $2.5 million towards the project, with the Victorian Government matching that funding with a $2.5 million grant from its Growing Suburbs Fund.

“A park of this size and scale comes at a cost and we thank the Victorian Government for supporting our vision for the site,” Lydia said.

Construction of the waterbodies is currently under way and will be followed by work on the park’s entrance and car park.

The playground is expected to be completed in late 2024.