Ivanhoe will get a new pocket park as part of the Victorian Government’s $154 million investment in greening our growing suburbs.

Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines said the Waterdale Road Pocket Park would be established by mid 2022 with $1.3 million funding under the Suburban Parks Program.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the pocket park as one of the successful first-round projects that will give families much needed green space for recreation, relaxation and spending time with their pets.

Fifteen new pocket parks and nine off leash dog parks will be established across Melbourne after councils were invited to nominate potential sites that were then assessed by an independent panel. The park locations have been selected to ensure they are easily accessible by road and public transport or well-linked to bike and walking trails.

The pocket parks will be located in South Melbourne, St Kilda, Bentleigh, Moorabbin, Brunswick, Caulfield South, Flemington, Sunshine West, Ivanhoe, Preston, Oakleigh, Prahran, Collingwood and Yarraville. The off-leash dog parks will be established in Cairnlea, Cranbourne East, Mickleham, Carrum, Rowville, Eltham North, Maribyrnong, Werribee and South Yarra.

The Suburban Parks Program will create up to 6,500 hectares of new parkland, walking trails, bike trails, pocket and dog parks – the equivalent of more than 170 Royal Botanic Gardens.

This includes $35 million for developing 25 pocket parks and $5 million to establish 16 new off-leash dog parks – another $10 million will help revamp parks and reserves with playgrounds, landscaping, toilets and picnic spaces.

Funding for the next round of the program will be open to eligible local government areas from 1 June with grants of up to $1.3 million available for a new pocket park and $275,000 for a new dog park.

Quote attributable to
Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines MP

“This is a great initiative which will enhance our existing parkland and give our growing community even more green space to enjoy.”

“This funding will transform the area making it even more appealing for locals to relax, exercise or just enjoy the outdoors.”