The Brumby Government is spending $28 million in 2008/09 to upgrade Victoria’s world-famous parks and reserves as well as plan for new parks across the state.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the upgrades will benefit Victorians and tourists who have over four million hectares of beautiful parks and reserves to visit.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to preserve and improve Victoria’s parks and reserves which also provide economic benefits and jobs in regions across the state,” Mr Jennings said. “The Brumby Government is taking action to preserve and improve Victoria’s parks and reserves."
“Park facilities need ongoing maintenance and these works will help ensure that our existing park infrastructure is able to meet the needs of the thousands of visitors and campers who use our parks each year.
The works program will include:
• $7.5 million to upgrade trail and road networks to provide better access to Victoria’s top outdoor attractions, including upgrades to walking tracks, bike paths, roads, car parks, bridges and 4WD tracks. Major upgrades include the Point Cook Bay Trail and the completion of the O’Shanessy Aqueduct Trail;
• Upgrades to five key campgrounds in the Grampians National Park to improve facilities for the many visitors, families and campers who visit the Grampians each year. Works include improved campsite layouts, environmentally friendly pump-out toilets, bush showers and upgrades to walking tracks;
• $5 million for Bays and Maritime works to improve safety and access for boats through improvements to boat ramps, piers, maritime platforms and navigational aides at key sites around the Bay. Including $1.3 million to upgrade the Patterson River facility to increase the capacity of the boat ramps, improve car parking and traffic management;
• A $2.5 million Urban Parks initiative to plan for and establish new open space and recreational areas at Toolern, Werribee, along the Barwon River and Merri Creek as well as develop dog parks and community gardens; and
• Improvements to vital facilities such as car parks, toilet blocks, visitor and camping areas at popular destinations including Wilsons Promontory National Park, Alpine National Park, Point Nepean, Cape Schanck, Port Campbell and Albert Park.
For further information please contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au