A dad's fight for a park for his daughter reveals big infrastructure gaps in Melbourne's outer suburbs

Kanwar bought a home in Beveridge, Melbourne’s outer north, overlooking land earmarked for a park. Years later, he is still waiting for the park. Despite a petition and strong community support, the 'park-to-be' has become a 'dumping ground'.

Kanwar standing next to the land that was supposed to become a park years ago. Credit: Supplied by Mr Pawar

"My daughter was four when we moved here. Now, she is nine, and we still do not have a park to take her to," recalls Kanwar.

His movement has revealed gaps in access to basic infrastructure for residents of Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

With a new suburb, 'Beveridge North West', planned between Wallan and Beveridge, which is expected to house 47,000 more people, some residents claim that the pressure on existing resources will only intensify.

Image of an area designated to be a park for Beveridge residents. Credit: Mr Kanwar Pawar

Answering questions raised by SBS Punjabi, Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall acknowledged "ongoing community concerns" regarding transport accessibility and infrastructure delivery across the region.

"As Victoria’s fastest-growing municipality, we remain committed to advocating for early investment and strategic planning to meet the needs of our expanding population," Mr Douglass added in a written reply.

He said that even though the developer is "keen" to begin the development of the park, the timing of development stages is a "commercial decision" and is "solely at the discretion of the developer."

Beveridge residents came together demanding better infrastructure. Credit: Kanwar Pawar

"Council agrees that infrastructure delivery must keep pace with growth," he said.

As an outer metropolitan municipality, Mitchell Shire faces unique challenges in securing timely infrastructure delivery, he explained, adding that the council “continues to call for bipartisan support and coordinated investment to ensure our communities are not left behind.”

Parmeet Jassal, property consultant Credit: Supplied by Mr Jassal

Property consultant Parmeet Jassal told SBS Punjabi that the condition is similar in other suburbs as well. He called for sustainable and planned expansions, along with more accountability from developers.

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A dad's fight for a park for his daughter reveals big infrastructure gaps in Melbourne's outer suburbs

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