GUIDELINES RELEASED FOR MELBOURNE’S NEW DOG PARKS

New parks for Victorians and their four-legged friends to stretch their legs and enjoy the outdoors are one step closer, with new guidelines for their locations released by the Andrews Labor Government.

The guidelines will help councils identify the type of locations suitable to be transformed into one of 16 off-leash, enclosed dog parks that will delivered across Melbourne.

Pets are a part of the Australian way of life, with pet ownership shown to benefit our physical and mental health.

The Local Parks Program Guidelines set out standards for size, location, and the types of infrastructure and services that make up a great local park.

The guidelines also outline that potential sites should align with an approved open space, precinct structure or recreation plan that has undergone community engagement.

The Labor Government is investing $5 million to create 16 new dog parks and $35 million for 25 new pocket parks across Melbourne.

New dog parks will be located across the Boroondara, Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Glen Eira, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Maroondah, Moonee Valley, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse and Wyndham council areas.

The Government will work with those local councils to determine the locations of the new parks.

The guidelines are available at environment.vic.gov.au/suburban-parks.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re delivering 16 new off-leash dog parks across Melbourne and these guidelines will help councils identify the best possible locations.”

“More dog parks mean more open spaces for families and their pets to enjoy, close to home.”

“Dogs aren’t just pets, they’re like family members, and only Labor will make sure people have somewhere they can enjoy getting outdoors and letting their dog off-leash safely with 16 new dog parks across Melbourne.”