By Tyler Wright
Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed a $300,000 funding boost for the Belgrave South Recreation Reserve as part of the second round of the state government’s Building Safer Communities program.
The project, called Belgrave South ‘Create, Protect, Love,’ was born from a Creating Safer Places grant and was announced on Tuesday 27 September at the Belgrave South Recreation Reserve park on Gilmore Court.
It will see a new youth space with hard court areas, skate-able elements, artwork and lighting as part of increased security in Belgrave South.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Councillor Jim Child said the project will deliver improved connections for people walking through the park, with paving and lighting for accessibility and added security at the netball clubrooms.
“We know that young people need engaging spaces close to home,” Cr Child said.
“This project will utilise design principles which help make the environment safer, it will: Increase visibility and natural surveillance, improve access and sightlines, provide a new space that encourages social interaction, generate a stronger sense of ownership through empowerment of youth.”
Yarra Ranges Council’s Youth Advisory Group will assist in consulting young people from the area to develop a purpose-built under-cover area, an art mural design, a skate park and half-sized basketball court for young people to socialise and play, Cr Child said.
“It’s heartening to see teams at Council take the approach of nothing about us, without us and apply it to projects – if a space is being made for young people, getting them involved is one of the best ways we can make sure we’ve got it right,” Cr Child said.
“The end result of that is a space that young people will be keen to use, and one that helps them build pride in their community.”
Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines was at the announcement and said the Belgrave South ‘Create, Potect, Love’ project will not only upgrade the local sporting hub and discourage crime, but will connect young people and get them involved in the process.
“The Building Safer Communities Program has supported local initiatives right across the state that not only work to keep locals safe and connected but support locals to feel safer in public places – which is also incredibly important,” Mr Carbines said.
“These grants support local communities to create and deliver solutions to local problems because locals know their communities best.”
Cr Child said he hopes when the ‘Create, Protect, Love’ project is completed, it will “be a space that every young person in our community is excited to come to and becomes a space where they can spend time with friends, grow their skills and make their life in the hills the best it can be.”
Since 2015, the state government has provided more than $763,000 to Yarra Ranges Council for 15 crime prevention projects, including a $26,000 grant for a public art project to prevent graffiti, increase pride in public places and deter crime from the community.
