A new parkland is being created along Jacksons Creek near Sunbury, providing new walking and cycling trails and picnic areas for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Member for Sunbury Josh Bull announced the opening of the community consultation to help shape the new 1,008-hectare regional parklands spanning from Diggers Rest to Sunbury.

The project will improve community access to the parklands starting with 1.9 kilometres of proposed walking and cycling paths, trail and entrance signage, a staircase and fencing and safety infrastructure around the Greater Western Water site by July 2022.

A Cultural Values Study for Jacksons Creek was completed by the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people in July 2021, with a survey of the animals and plants of Jacksons Creek also completed by the Arthur Rylah Institute in July 2021.

Jacksons Creek Regional Parklands will provide the community much needed green, open space for recreation and relaxation with friends and family. The parklands will also protect nature and strengthen cultural heritage.

The Victorian Government’s Suburban Parks Program is creating or upgrading more than 6,500 hectares of parklands and new walking and cycling trails in Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs, giving everyone more green, open space where they can exercise, relax and recharge.

To provide feedback on the vision and priorities for the parklands go to the Engage Victoria website. Consultation closes at midnight on Tuesday 30 November 2021. A summary of engagement feedback will be made publicly available at Engage Victoria after consultation is complete. The plan will be finalised in late 2022.

Jacksons Creek Regional Parklands is a project being delivered under the Suburban Parks Program, which is delivering on ground for the Open Space for Everyone Strategy (OSFE).  The OSFE aims to give everyone equal access to Melbourne’s renowned parks and open spaces that are central to our health and wellbeing.

The project is led by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Hume City Council, Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water and Parks Victoria.

Quotes attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull

“Jacksons Creek Regional Parklands near Sunbury will be a wonderful place for local communities and visitors in the Sunbury area to enjoy and will provide a range of new facilities such as walking and bike trails.”

“The 1,008-hectare parklands from Diggers Rest to Sunbury along Jacksons Creek will be an asset for locals, visitors and generations to come.”

“You can have your say on the Jacksons Creek Regional Parklands Plan via the Engage Victoria website.”