Works are under way to make the former Sunvale Primary School site accessible to the public.
The Sunvale site has been subject to controversy since the Neil Street school closed in September 2009.
Brimbank administrators chairman John Watson said last week the council had finalised licensing arrangements with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and had an agreement with the state government allowing it to tidy up the land and make it available for community use.
The council, which spent $3.025 million to acquire 1.1 hectares of the former school site for a new community park, will not officially take ownership of the park until early 2016. In the meantime, the council is cleaning up the site so it can still be used by the public.
“Our parks crews have already started extensive mowing, brush-cutting and tree- pruning works,” Mr Watson said. “Further works, including constructing gravel paths to facilitate pedestrian access and improving the area’s general presentation, are planned.
“We expect the future park will be in a useable, accessible and presentable condition available for passive community use in time for spring.”
Residents have campaigned for the entire site to become public parkland and were outraged when the state government sold off the eastern portion to a residential developer for
$4.2 million in June.
Mr Watson said while it was regrettable that the council did not have ownership of the whole site, residents would still get a sizeable park. The council will consult with the community later in the year so residents can help shape the design, use and naming of the park.
Charlene Macaulay
