Meadowlink shared bike path, parkland to benefit Broadmeadows families

A NEW public open space in Broadmeadows has been hailed as a “game-changer” for neighbours feeling the crunch of overdevelopment.

Mayor Geoff Porter, with his dog Peppa, and Cr Karen Sherry celebrate more funding for open space at Meadowlink in Broadmeadows with workers Henry Sheppard and Brett Jones. Picture: George Salpigtidis

THE creation of new public open space in Broadmeadows has been hailed as a “game-changer” for neighbours feeling the crunch of overdevelopment.

Funded with $2 million from the State Government the open space corridor between Railway Cres and Blair St, known as Meadowlink, will comprise a 1.3km shared bike path, lighting, 400 new shade trees and 500 plants.

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The former Truss building at 72 Railway Cres will be demolished and replaced by grassland and a section of the bike path.

Construction work is due to be completed in March next year.

Hume Mayor Geoff Porter said the development of Meadowlink would give people access to “quality open space” in their neighbourhood, as well as allowing easy pedestrian access to Broadmeadows train station.

“This will absolutely be a game-changer for the people who move into the new developments and the people already living here,” he said.

“People will be able to walk down from Railway Cres all the way to Seabrook Reserve and enjoy the amenities there.

“It’s going to transform the whole area.”

Mayor Geoff Porter and his dog Peppa are looking forward to the completion of Meadowlink. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Meadowlink will also connect to a new 0.75ha park at the former Broadmeadows Primary School site at 2-16 Nicholas St, which Hume Council has committed $1 million to developing.

“The concept plan for the former school site still has to be developed, but our vision is for some play equipment for kids, nice open space, shade trees and seating,” Cr Porter said.

Broadmeadows state Labor MP Frank McGuire added new lighting at Meadowlink would help residents use the space for longer.

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However, despite Hume Council and the Government delivering on their promise of more green space in Broadmeadows, not everyone is pleased.

Broadmeadows Progress Association assistant secretary Sonja Rutherford said she feared the pathway would be used as a bandaid solution to placate residents’ need for more parkland.

“It is and always should be a meadow link, not a linear park,” she said.

“It is not a replacement for the need for parkland and open space.”

Ms Rutherford said Meadowlink would not provide enough public open space to cater for major housing developments planned at the former Hard Yakka site and the former Broadmeadows Primary School site.

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