Werribee will get a new off-leash dog park as part of the Victorian Government’s $154 million investment in greening our growing suburbs.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas said the new Bulban Road Dog Park in Werribee would be established by late 2022 with $275,000 funding under the Suburban Parks Program.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the dog park as one of the successful first-round projects as part of the program 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 made available for a new pocket park and $275,000 for a new dog park.

To see a full list of the round one projects and for details on round two visit: environment.vic.gov.au/suburban-parks/creating-new-parkland-across-victoria/local-parks

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

 “Being stuck inside the last few months has taught us the value of open green space to stretch the legs, clear the head and get some fresh air – that’s what this investment delivers.”

Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“This is great news for our community of dog lovers who will soon have access to designated parkland to exercise their pets with other like-minded people.”

“This funding will help transform the area making it even more appealing for dog owners.”