Gerald Lynch
At a meeting on Monday, October 23, Hume Council approved five applications to the Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF).
The GSF is a state government initiative to deliver infrastructure in growing communities.
The 2023/2024 fund, worth $10 million, funds new, expanded or upgraded infrastructure projects within Melbourne’s interface councils.
The five playspaces that had applications approved by council were Craigieburn’s Highgate, Clovelly Drive, and Balyang Way reserves, as well as Strathconnon Square in Tullamarine and Turnberry Drive Reserve in Sunbury.
Cr Karen Sherry said it was lovely to see the proposed projects spread across Craigieburn, Sunbury and Tullamarine.
“I think it will be interesting if this gets funded because it really does re identify what a growing suburb is, isn’t it?,” she said.
“It’s not just suburban sprawl, it’s the fact that there is so much indifferent, infill development going on. So I hope we’re successful in obtaining these funds and I’m sure the kids of Craigieburn and of the Tullamarine locality will enjoy the place spaces.”
Cr Jarrod Bell cited successful projects that have been funded in the past including the Sunbury BMX pavilion.
“I am thrilled to see that we are putting in an application for this fund that has supported the growth of Hume projects,” he said.
“This is an outstanding idea from our offices to really use and leverage the growth in our renewing areas in our existing communities.
“I think we’re going to start seeing a lot more of that urban infill and we’re going to start seeing growing suburbs in places like Tullamarine receive new infrastructure to support their growth.”
