The planned Sunvale Community Park may take up the entire site of the former Sunvale Primary School.
Brimbank council allocated $500,000 for the first stage of the park from its 2016-17 annual draft budget last week and left the door open for expansion.
It paid $3.025 million for a 1.1-hectare section of the former school in Sunshine back in 2014, with the remaining 0.8-hectare section owned by a private developer.
The state government has been in negotiations with the developer to buy back the land after a proposed 60-unit development was rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Friends of Sunvale Community Park has long campaigned for the entire site to be used as a community park. The council last week said its masterplan could “facilitate expansion of the community park if the adjoining land became available”.
Following community consultation in December, the masterplan for the site includes an edible community garden, an indigenously-themed circuit path with exercise stations, a picnic shelter with barbecue facilities, and a large green “kick-a-ball” space that could also be used as an outdoor cinema.
It is proposed the existing cricket pitch would be retained. Plans for a kiosk, which would include a history of the former primary school, are also under consideration.
The council is expected to allocate a second round of funding for the community park in next year’s budget.
Friends member John Hedditch welcomed the funding, saying it was “a great next step for the much-needed open space and parklands” in central Sunshine.
Residents have until May 19 to submit feedback on the masterplan. Details: www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
