By Mikayla van Loon
Projects and assessments for the future growth of Lilydale have gained more funding from the Suburban Revitalisation Board helping better understand the needs of the town.
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing made the announcement on Monday 31 October that a partnership with Yarra Ranges Council, Eastern Health, and Different Journeys would receive $750,000.
“The Lilydale Revitalisation Board has brought people and organisations together from across the area with wonderful results – and this funding will enable our work to continue in supporting community infrastructure, pride of place, and vital public services,” she said.
Revitalisation Board chair David Plunkett said these projects will better the quality of life for Lilydale residents and improve inclusivity.
“These projects will make a real difference to local residents and businesses, supporting Lilydale to be an inclusive, diverse community and a great place to live,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council’s Planning, Design and Development Acting Director Damian Closs said the proposed projects have been a result of direct community feedback based on the Place and Structure plans for Lilydale.
“The Structure Plan laid the foundations for appropriate investment and development to support current and future needs and enrich the character of Lilydale,” he said.
“The latest suite of Lilydale Revitalisation Projects will address small but important local needs, such as the Olinda Creek Bridge path connection which will provide a safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists in the heart of the activity centre.
“Other projects are more strategic and will take time, such as the Lilydale Investment Prospectus which will identify key development sites and vacant parcels and promote private investment in each to improve the attractiveness and economic activity in the centre.”
Expecting the population in Lilydale to double by 2041 to reach 31,000 people, $180,000 will be put towards identifying the future health and wellbeing needs of the town.
“Eastern Health, along with Inspiro, are investigating what the future health needs will be for Lilydale and the broader region,” Mr Closs said.
Unable to comment more fully on what this investigation will entail, community groups like the Lilydale Township Action Group and residents themselves have called for a hospital facility to be included in future plans for the suburb.
A further $255,000 will help “develop a precinct design framework” and establish the feasibility of community centres or gathering places.
“The Community Heart in Lilydale (CHIL) Precinct project stems from the well-articulated feedback from our community for there to be a heart in Lilydale,” Mr Closs said.
“Funding for this project will help Council understand what types of community facilities and public spaces are needed and explore where these might be located and how they may be designed to achieve a genuinely welcoming heart.”
Under this framework approach, the council intends to seek community input for “possible site layouts.”
“From this Council hopes to be able to shape a business case for individual projects that would enable advocacy for funding and delivery.”
This most recent funding announcement brings the total spent across the eight Suburban Revitalisation Board’s to $45 million since 2016.
“We’re proud to invest in projects that create economic and social opportunities for communities like Lilydale which represent Melbourne’s fastest growing suburbs,” Suburban Development minister Melissa Horne said.
