Creating a new public space at the corner of Oakover Road and High Street, Preston
Delivering a safe, accessible public open space on the corner of Oakover Road and High Street is a key project in the Junction Urban Masterplan (JUMP).
The Oakover Pocket Park project will deliver a high quality, permeant green space in one of Darebin’s key renewal areas by repurposing the Oakover slip land to create a new public space.
Delivery of the project has been staged across two years, with Stage 2 construction works scheduled to commence on Tuesday 6 April and are expected to take up to 8-12 weeks.
Stage 2 works will include the installation of new seating, bins, tree plantings and the creation of new garden beds, a bike repair station and bike parking and the creation of two new pedestrian crossings.
Roads and footpaths surrounding this area may need to be closed due to safety for short periods of time. Pedestrian access to and from businesses and properties will be maintained at all times.
The Oakover Pocket Park Project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Local Parks Program.
Project background
A pop-up park was installed in this area in 2016, which allowed Council and community to test future options for the space. Council voted to keep the slip lane closed following planned removal of the ‘pop-up park’ until further feedback could be sought from the community regarding the future option of this space.
At a Council meeting on 4 September 2017 Council unanimously resolved to support the permanent closure of the Oakover Road slip lane and create a new public space for the Preston Junction community.
This decision supports the opinions of the local community. Following a recent community consultation, which discussed the future options for this site, a total of 213 submissions were received regarding the project. Over two-thirds of the community who participated in consultation, supported the permanent closure of the slip lane to create a new public space. You can view the consultation outcomes in the document library (see web link below).
For further information please visit http://www.yoursaydarebin.com.au/JUMP
Further information email city.design@darebin.vic.gov.au