New Garden To Grow Community Connection In Tarneit

The Andrews Labor Government will help transform a vacant parcel of land into a community garden to boost the burgeoning suburb of Tarneit and its Pasifika community.

Minister for Suburban Development Shaun Leane joined Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly and community leaders at Penrose Community Garden today to announce a $170,000 grant for the project.

The development at Penrose Promenade will feature a fenced

community garden with raised planter beds, open space and a barbeque, shedding and water tanks. The garden will promote health and wellbeing for people of all ages and provide food and a place for the community to gather.

The funding will also support a range of cultural events to raise awareness of the garden and build relationships with the local Pasifika community, whose members play a vital role in distributing food at the local market. Works are expected to be complete in 2022.

The project complements the Labor Government’s $2.5 million investment in Tarneit via the Suburban Revitalisation Program including a mural at the Tarneit Gardens Shopping Centre, improved reserve lighting and employment programs.

The Suburban Revitalisation Program enables collaborations with communities across Victoria to plan and deliver infrastructure and community development and engagement initiatives, which are especially important as the state recovers and moves forward from the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the Suburban Revitalisation Program visit  suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au.

Quote attributable to Minister for Suburban Development Shaun Leane

“Our investment in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs will make them even better places to live, work and visit – providing vibrant public spaces, programs to connect the community and job opportunities for locals.”

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit and Tarneit Suburban Revitalisation Board Chair Sarah Connolly

“This investment in the strength and future of Tarneit will improve opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse groups that contribute so much to their community. We can’t wait to see the gardens up and running.”

Quote attributable to Pasifika Community Australia Member Tonya Toi

“We are proud to be working with local and state governments to create a great public garden for Tarneit residents and to have the opportunity to share a piece of the Pasifika culture with the wider community.”