Overview
It looks like the Victorian government is seriously determined to beef up Melbourne's green space, with yet more grand parkland plans unveiled over the weekend.
Days after Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan showed off her proposal for 11 MCG's worth of open space beneath Skyrail, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio and Member for Monbulk James Merlino have announced a $4.72 million development for Olinda, in Melbourne's east.
The Olinda Precinct Project will breathe new life into the former golf course adjacent to The National Rhododendron Garden, which is being renamed the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. It'll free up 34 hectares of open space, set to feature a sports oval, picnic facilities, a play area and upgraded parking. The Botanic Garden will also enjoy an extra 6.5 hectares of space, to help house its sprawling collection of over 50,000 rare and exotic plants.
Designs for the Olinda Precinct Project are set to be revealed in early 2018, with building work expected to start in the middle of the year.
Image: Royal Botanic Gardens by Sarah Worthy via Flickr.