By Matthew Sims
Sunshine West has received a boost to its amenities and overall look in the form of a new ‘pocket park’ space.
Brimbank council has been hard at work transforming a traffic island along Glengala Road and part of the Gum Street road reserve into a new space boasting a space for community members to rest, relax and meet up with friends and family.
The state government allocated $400,000 towards the project under the Local Parks Program, with Brimbank council contributing $40,000 towards the new space, which includes bike racks, a drinking fountain, a nature play area, a seating wall, perimeter footpaths and paved areas and a nature garden.
Brimbank council mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the council was grateful for the state government’s support for the project.
“I would like to thank the Victorian government for its contribution to build this great new space in Sunshine West,” she said.
Cr Nguyen said the space also featured mosaic artworks and sculpture created by local artist Debbie Qadri with local school children.
“A big thank you to students at Sunshine Heights Primary School, Sunshine College and Marian College,” she said.
“Their artwork has added colour and life to this transformed space.”
Marian College community officer Rose Cassar said
“The students were able to work with a practicing artist Debbie Qardri, so it was wonderful for them to have the opportunity to collaborate with a professional artist,” Ms Cassar said.
“They were able to learn new techniques and gain insights into how a community project like this would be completed.
“They were asked to reflect on their memories of Sunshine, going to school here and growing up around this community.”
The project was part of Brimbank council’s ongoing commitment to the Creating Better Parks Policy and Plan and the West Sunshine 20 Minute Neighbourhood project.
The council has scheduled an official opening of the new space on Sunday, May 15 at 10am.
