Plan for a community reserve

Walking tracks, boardwalks and bird viewing platforms are among recommendations outlined in a draft landscape plan established for Drouin’s Bellbird Park precinct.

Community input is being sought on the draft landscape plan that aims to provide direction for the use and development of the Bellbird Park recreation reserve for council and the community into the future.

The Bellbird Park recreation precinct is about 23 hectares, including sporting, recreation and environmental reserves.

The plan seeks to guide a sustainable, quality, well utilised and valued future for the popular space.

Following adoption of the Drouin Recreation Plan Review in June 2019, 32 recommendations were identified for Bellbird Park including the preparation of a landscape plan to detail suitable locations and designs for walking tracks, revegetation works and other open space.

The draft landscape plan addresses two main themes:

Infrastructure - walking tracks, signage, bird viewing platforms and parking; and,

Environment and drainage: Weed management, wetland areas, revegetation, trees and drainage.

The draft plan lists a number of recommendations for infrastructure, recreation and environment and drainage improvements at Bellbird Park.

The recommendations included: Establishment of well defined walking tracks, some with boardwalks;

Boardwalks to the south west section of the park which is frequently inundated with stormwater;

Conversion of the existing informal dog offleash area into a more formal dog park;

Two bird viewing platforms at the existing wetland and one viewing platform to the southwest corner of the park;

New car park to replace the existing car park taken up by the proposed pavilion/change rooms and social rooms;

Eradication of weeds and revegetation with indigenous grasses, tufting plants and shrubs; and,

Plant additional indigenous trees and large shrubs to sections of the park to maintain tree and canopy succession.

The plan also suggests council consider future use of the former pony club site with options including revegetation, a possible location for an environment visitor centre, a location for a potential community hub or allowing future sporting infrastructure to accommodate growth.

Mayor Cr Danny Goss said through the landscape plan, council wants to guide improvements to infrastructure, facilities, biodiversity and environment at Bellbird Park.

Council also is working on designs for a new multi-use sporting pavilion for the eastern section of Bellbird Park. Feedback is being sought on two proposed options for the location of this pavilion.

A project reference group has been established with representatives of the key user groups to help scope the project.

The draft landscape plan was prepared in collaboration with consultants Michael Smith and Associates.

Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the plan. A 17-question survey is available online, with hard copies also available on request.

To view the draft landscape plan and survey go to www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay

Consultation closes on June 17.