By Renee Wood
The State Opposition has announced a funding commitment to revitalise the Maroondah Reservoir Park if elected in November.
State Liberal leader Mathew Guy joined Eildon MP Cindy McLeish to announce the $2.8 million dollar funding pledge to upgrade the park.
“The Reservoir Park is rundown and it needs a lot of work to bring it up to scratch – the stairs rose walk hasn’t got a single rose plant on it that’s alive,” Mr Guy said.
Ms McLeish said the destination use to be magnificent destination for locals and visitors alike but now receives many complaints to her office on its current state.
“There’s broken pavers, there’s fences that are down, there’s plants that are just dead.. It used to have spectacular flowering shrubs, flowers all year round garden beds, it doesn’t have that and it’s not as inviting as it used to be,” Ms McLeish said.
The funding pledge would see works put in to build a playground new picnic and barbecue areas and toilet facilities.
Ms McLeish also currently has a survey out asking residents what they would like to see created at the park.
“I would like to see a nature based playground…something that people go oh, I’ve got kids here. We can pop them there for 40 minutes while we sit and watch.
“I’d really like to see the plants re-established and the flowers to make it a spectacular garden.”
Parks Victoria manages the site and a local volunteer group, Friends of Maroondah Reservoir Park also volunteer their time to conduct garden maintenance.
The State Government also selected the park to receive funds from a $21 million the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program which will see approved works completed by June next year.
A State Government spokesperson said it has already begun improvements at the park by installing new picnic tables and there’s more to come.
“Further upgrades to visitor facilities, pathways, barbeque facilities as well as new accessible toilets to be completed by June next year,” they said.
“We know how important Maroondah Reservoir Park is for locals and visitors, that’s why it’s one of 21 parks across Melbourne that are being upgraded to ensure it can be enjoyed for years to come.”
