By Mikayla van Loon
Yarra Ranges councillors have unanimously voted to adopt a master plan for a new Chirnside Urban Park at Belsay Reserve in the 27 April council meeting.
The Kimberley Drive park, opposite Chirnside Park shopping centre is set to be completely overhauled to establish five key zones.
These include an urban forest for play and discovery, the current wetlands will remain but improvements will be made to include a water feature, boardwalk and amphitheatre.
A regional level playspace with a custom designed play area for all ages and abilities will be built with swings, slides from multi-level dome platforms, a play wall and an accessible spinning carousel.
Flexible open parkland with barbecues and shelters, as well as toilets, carparking and infrastructure to support accessibility will be provided.
New park benches will be placed around the park, with an exterior path surrounding the parkland for fitness, dog walking and connectivity to be established.
Other general features include drinking fountains and path lighting for safety.
Chirnside Ward councillor, Richard Higgins said this project had been on the cards for more than ten years after being part of the Chirnside Park urban design master plan in 2010.
“There’s no hiding from the fact that, in the future, Chirnside Park will have higher density living – there’s room for it, and it’s in the planning scheme,” Cr Higgins said.
“In time, this park will become an absolute necessity for the people who live in this area. It’s really badly needed and will be used for many years, so it’s an absolute privilege to see this get up and running.”
The proposal for an urban park first began in 2018 before a draft master plan was designed and put out to the community for feedback in February and March this year.
The council received 160 responses in an online survey and a further 60 people engaged with them at a pop up stall at Chirnside Park shopping centre.
Many of the features that have been included in the plan were highlighted in the feedback received, particularly the need to keep substantial amounts of trees and gardens, as well as make the park a safe and inviting place to meet and socialise.
Currently the only concern Yarra Ranges Council is trying to address is the small amount of parking in the design.
Now that the master plan has been adopted, detailed designs of the urban park will begin.
Yarra Ranges Council will receive $2.25 million from the State government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, which will be matched by the council itself.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the Growing Suburbs Fund has been supporting communities in the Yarra Ranges since 2015 and has been making it an even better place to live.
“I’m delighted the Victorian government has continued its support for our thriving community through projects like the new Chirnside Park Urban Park.”
