Wednesday 21 October 2026
The Carroll Labor Government is planning more parkland for Melbourne’s growing north – giving families space to get outdoors as new neighbourhoods take shape.
Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes announced $1 million to help define the proposed wallan wallan Regional Park boundary and map out how to deliver it.
The park could serve around 430,000 people by 2036, with places to walk, exercise and explore close to home.
A shared trail could connect Melbourne to Wallan, linking growing communities with the area’s creeks, wetlands and open spaces.
The proposed park could protect and enhance Merri Creek, Herne Swamp, burrung buluk (Hanna Swamp), Kalkallo Creek and Mount Fraser.
A feasibility study identified around 2,800 hectares of public and private land that could contribute to the park.
The next stage will investigate which land to include and how to protect important landscapes while minimising impacts on land for future homes.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners, local communities and stakeholders will help shape the plans, supported by technical investigations.
The work will explore opportunities to reduce urban heat, restore natural drainage systems and protect habitat.
It will identify options for delivering the park, with the final boundary expected to be determined through precinct structure planning.
The project is part of the $315 million Suburban Parks Program, creating and upgrading more than 6,500 hectares of parks and trails across greater Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes
“As more families make Melbourne’s north home, we’re planning the parks and open spaces they’ll need for generations to come.”
“We’re putting $1 million into the detailed work to identify where this park could go and how to deliver it.”
“This is an opportunity to link Melbourne to Wallan with a shared trail and protect the creeks and wetlands along the way.”
