$14.9 Million investment for Playgrounds in Victoria

Victorian Premier and State Labor Leader John Brumby has announced that a future Labor Government will invest $14.9 million in a network of adventure playgrounds in parklands across Victoria.

Joined by Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings and Labor Member for Mordialloc, Janice Munt, at Braeside Park, the Victorian Premier announced the funding commitment for 15 new and upgraded parks across the State, stating âparks and playgrounds around Melbourne and

Victoria are often the heart of community life (and) we are determined to provide the infrastructure that supports families across the State.

Premier Brumby stated "Labor will deliver 15 state-of-the-art adventure playgrounds across the State, with each one to be designed with input from the local community, including children, providing them with the opportunity to customise the features and layout of these playgrounds.

"Many of our communities have great local facilities, but itâs important we build larger playgrounds around our suburbs and towns to provide a wide range of options for our kids.

"We know that active children become healthier adults and Labor believes it is important to provide young people with new recreation opportunities, so they can be physically active and learn to savour the outdoors."

Premier Brumby said new large adventure playgrounds would be built for Victorian families at:

• Lysterfield Park in Narre Warren North;
• Toolern Creek Park in Melton South;
• Plenty Gorge Park in South Morang;
• Westerfold Park in Templestowe;
• Barwon Valley Park in Belmont;
• Point Cook Coastal Park, Point Cook;
• Braeside Park, Braeside;
• Werribee Park, Werribee South;
• Brimbank Park, Keilor East;
• Cardinia Creek Parklands, Berwick;
• St Georges Lake, Creswick Regional Park, Creswick;
• Bendigo Regional Park, Kangaroo Flat;
• Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Gippsland South;
• Merri Creek Parklands, Thomastown; and
• Devilbend Reservoir, Tuerong.

Premier Brumby added "the playgrounds will include climbing, jumping, sliding and exploring experiences for kids and will also incorporate local Aboriginal cultural heritage features into the design."

Minister Jennings said the nature-inspired playgrounds would be constructed to the highest safety standards and would be valuable assets Victoria's network of parks, adding "the parks will also feature the usual range of facilities and services including toilets, barbeques, shelters, lighting and playground equipment.

"In parks where some of these facilities already exist, they will be upgraded, while in a number of cases car parks will also be built.

"Our world-class network of parks are places where people of all ages use to relax, keep fit, play sport or just socialise. This investment will help strengthen Victoriaâs reputation as one of the most liveable places in the world.

"The adventure playgrounds will be built at Parks Victoria sites across the State as part of a plan to increase community usage of existing parks, and to provide opportunities for children to learn about nature and the environment when they are playing outdoors."