Melton is receiving a multimillion dollar boost to help keep up with its booming population.
Eight projects in Melton will receive a total of $8.1 million from the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.
Projects to be funded for 2017-2018 are:
•$2 million towards the $9 million MacPherson Park redevelopment;
•$2 million toward the $4 million Melton Central Community Centre redevelopment;
•$1.6 million toward the $6.6 million Fraser Rise community hub;
•$1 million toward the $6.7 million Aintree community hub;
•$600,000 for the Hannah Watts Park upgrade; and
•$300,000 each for the Allenby Road Reserve upgrade, Arnolds Creek playspace and Bill Cahill Reserve.
Local Government Minster Marlene Kairouz made the announcement at the completion ceremony of stage three of a $13.1 million Pride of Melton project.
Ms Kairoutz said Melton needed the new investment because it is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Victoria.
She said a “substantial contribution” was for the redevelopment of MacPherson Park.
“We will be working in partnership with the City of Melton council to transform this sporting precinct into a multi-purpose community hub with a new pavilion and significant amenity upgrades,” Ms Kairoutz said.
She said the overall investment would help create community connections, improve opportunities for people to participate in sport and recreation and boost quality of life.
Melton mayor Bob Turner said the grants meant major projects in the municipality would soon become a reality.
“We are elated by this significant funding announcement, which will help us provide the kind of infrastructure that our rapidly growing community urgently needs,” Cr Turner said.
“This funding means that vital community infrastructure projects … will get off the ground sooner.”