Grand Melbourne City Council plans to splash $60m on public open spaces

Melbourne City Council is set to shell out $60 million on expanding public spaces and maintaining parks as part of the draft budget.

Fitzroy Gardens has just been the site of a $800,000 upgrade. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Melbourne City Council is set to splash $60 million expanding public open spaces, maintaining parks and gardens and water management as part of the draft Budget for 2021-22.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said investing in parks, gardens and open spaces would create jobs and help to build a better community into the future.

“We have set aside $20 million for green space in Southbank because we’ve listened to the community and we know how critical it is in our most densely populated suburb,” Cr Capp said.

“We’ve also just completed a two year upgrade to one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, the conservatory at Fitzroy Gardens. The $800,000 upgrade has delivered 100 jobs and the conservatory will re-open next month with a tropical flower display.”

Cr Capp said city parks had seen a large increase in visitation in following months of lockdown last year.

“During the pandemic, we saw many more Melburnians rolling out their picnic blankets in our world-class parks and gardens. I hope people will continue to take advantage of our lush lawns and recreational facilities as the buzz comes back to our city,” she said.