Create the wallan wallan Regional Parkland

Create the wallan wallan Regional Parkland

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The wallan wallan Regional Parkland is the missing piece of parkland along the Merri Creek, providing important natural open space for new communities in Melbourne’s rapidly growing north. 

  • The Parkland will protect 3000 hectares in the upper reaches of the Merri Creek, a waterway that runs through the heart of northern Melbourne.
  • It'll feature the unique landscape of the wallan wallan region, including extensive wetlands and ancient volcanic cones, providing habitat for waterbirds and wildlife, and supporting migratory populations of threatened bird species.
  • This Parkland is needed as a place for the local and expanding community …

The wallan wallan Regional Parkland is the missing piece of parkland along the Merri Creek, providing important natural open space for new communities in Melbourne’s rapidly growing north. 

  • The Parkland will protect 3000 hectares in the upper reaches of the Merri Creek, a waterway that runs through the heart of northern Melbourne.
  • It'll feature the unique landscape of the wallan wallan region, including extensive wetlands and ancient volcanic cones, providing habitat for waterbirds and wildlife, and supporting migratory populations of threatened bird species.
  • This Parkland is needed as a place for the local and expanding community to explore nature, enjoy time together and to stay healthy and active. Shared trails will enable cycling or walking from Melbourne to Wallan and eventually to Bendigo.

In the face of increasing urbanisation and climate change bringing more intensive rainfall, the parkland will mitigate the impacts of flooding, by including space for water containment and treatment. Without this, disastrous flooding and deterioration in water quality will not only affect the Wallan region, but also Melbourne’s northern suburbs downstream.

The State Government is moving ahead with housing, employment and industrial projects in this region. We ask that the same focus be shown to the provision of parkland and conservation of natural areas alongside these development projects.

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Email the Planning Minister

The Upper Merri Creek catchment will undergo a significant transformation in coming years with rapid urban and industrial development. We are calling on the Victorian State Government to establish the 3000 hectare wallan wallan Regional Parkland (wwRP) now so that it will be included in all future planning processes. 

It’s time for the State Government to commit to the wallan wallan Regional Parkland.  In the face of huge growth pressure, local communities need natural spaces.  This parkland is needed to ensure Melbourne's inner-north doesn't flood.

The Planning Minister has fast-tracked development, now is the time to fast-track the parkland. 

In this election year your letter to the Planning Minister will help demonstrate that Victorians also want to see natural places provided alongside development.

Where do you live?

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  • If possible, we'd love you to write your own message! 

We've provided some points that you may like to use in your own email to the Planning Minister below. 

Additionally, if you live in or visit the lower Merri catchment you may want to focus on how the wwRP can help mitigate flood risk and protect and improve the health of the entire Merri Creek.

If you live in or visit the northern part of the catchment you may want to focus on the benefits of open space and access to nature for you and your community.

We also suggest personalising your message by adding a sentence about which electorate you live in and your connection to Merri Creek.

The ask: 

The State Government commit to the establishment of the wallan wallan Regional Parkland (wwRP) as described in the 2022 Feasibility Study. 

Without the wwRP we risk:

  • Run-off from urban development increasing the risk of flash flooding downstream – including in Coburg, Brunswick, Northcote and Fitzroy North.
  • Reducing the liveability of the Northern Growth Corridor for current and future communities.
  • Reducing water quality and habitat along Merri Creek, undoing decades of restoration work funded by government and supported by the community.

With the wwRP we can:

  • Preserve and restore large, natural wetlands that filter and slow water, providing flood protection for all of Merri Creek  
  • Provide essential access to nature for current and new residents in the Wallan, Beveridge and Kalkallo region, with benefits for mental, physical and social health.
  • Protect Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung cultural values
  • Protect a unique landscape of waterways, wetlands and volcanic cones for the benefit and enjoyment of all Victorians
  • Generate local economic benefits through tourism: people visiting the wetlands for birdlife; cyclists enjoying a trail connecting Wallan to the Birrarung (Yarra); Melbournians making a day trip to explore the views, waterways and wetlands.  Eventually shared trails will also link to Bendigo.

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