The Andrews government has this week announced they will be transforming a former golf course in the eastern suburbs into a new public park precinct.
This new site is located in the township of Olinda, which is found about 35km east of the CBD and right on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges national park. The golf course in question is the abandoned Olinda golf course, which ceased operation way back in October of 2012. Since its closure, Parks Victoria has been maintaining the site as a “strategic fuel break” for visitors to the Dandenong Ranges and beyond.
Now, these 34 hectares of open space will be returned to the community, with a picturesque new site opening beside the National Rhododendron Garden.
In a clever move, Parks Victoria is renaming the National Rhododendron Garden as the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. This new Olinda parkland precinct will sit beside the garden and feature a sports oval, nature-based play area, picnic facilities and upgraded parking.
The government will be pitting more than $4.72 million into the project, with construction to commence in mid-2018.