The 10-hectare Officer District Park is taking shape, with works currently underway to create the open space areas.
Once completed, the park will include a multi-level adventure play space, fitness zone, a lookout, wetlands and boardwalk for locals and visitors to enjoy the outdoors, while new picnic facilities and public amenities will offer opportunities to stop and rest.
The next stages of construction will also include a regional-level skate park, mountain boarding tracks and a cafe.
Cardinia Council Active and Connected Communities manager Michael Casey said construction was currently on track for completion in late 2024.
“Extensive civil works are currently underway to create usable and level open space areas on the very steep site,” he said.
“Soil removal works are expected to be completed in the coming weeks, which should reduce the dust and number of trucks in the area.
“The footpath and running trails have been marked out onsite and playground equipment installation is scheduled to start in early April.
“The design of the public restrooms is taking shape, with a unique two-level facility required to service the split-level design of the play space.”
Pakenham MP Emma Vulin, La Trobe Federal MP Jason Wood and Cardinia Council Officer Ward councillor Tammy Radford officially turned the sod on Tuesday 10 October, 2023, marking the start of works on the Officer District Park development.
The $7.2 million project received $2.2 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $4.6 million from the council and $435,000 from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
The Officer District Park was initiated by the council in November 2018, when the council passed the project’s master plan.
The project is set to serve the outdoor and recreational needs for the fast-growing area, as it will be a district level park, an area deemed of significance to the entire suburb and surrounds rather than just the immediate neighbourhood.
In original timeframes, stage one was planned to commence in March 2020 with an expected completion by November 2022, according to a 2020 document from the State Government.
However with the Covid pandemic, the project was delayed and has been tough for council, with new rising construction prices, to get moving between the government bodies.
For more information on the project, visit creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/officer-district-park
