Hepburn Shire Council has released the draft Masterplan for Glenlyon Recreation Reserve, which aims to provide insights for future planning, provision, and enhancement of this popular community asset.
The ten-year masterplan has been informed by community feedback, and Council is again encouraging the community to have a say.
“It’s important that we hear from the community on what they like, or what might be missing in the masterplan. We also want to know what should be prioritised when it comes to planning future improvements,” said Mayor, Cr Brian Hood.
“When we spoke with the community last year, it became clear there was a strong desire to preserve the reserve’s natural charm while seeking overall improvements to enhance its usage, accessibility, and safety,” said Cr Hood.
The draft masterplan proposes the development of a new accessible community pavilion, while retaining the existing pavilion as a picnic shelter and storage area, in recognition of the heritage significance of the building.
Council has included $150,000 of funding in the 2023/24 draft budget to progress designs of the community pavilion. This means consideration can be made to progress the pavilion to construction in the 2024/25 financial year.
Other aspects in the draft masterplan include creation of a social gathering area, upgrades to the playspace, and redevelopment of the cricket nets. It also includes flood mitigation planning to address the flooding and inundation from the Loddon River during heavy rainfall.
“A significant challenge for Council in considering the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan is Council’s ability to afford the proposed 45 recommendations,” said Cr Hood.
Further scoping work would need to be undertaken to understand the overall cost of the potential actions, along with Council’s ability to attract sufficient capital funding from external partners and stakeholders over the next ten years.
Enhancing accessibility and safety are paramount considerations within the draft Masterplan. Proposed initiatives include installing safety beacons on power lines, renewing fences and gates, establishing new pathways and roadways, maintaining existing egress tracks, improving wayfinding signage, and installing an accessible horse mounting ramp.
“Glenlyon is a growing community, and we want the recreation reserve to be a place everyone can utilise and enjoy, particularly children and families,” said Cr Hood.
All feedback received during the public exhibition phase will be thoughtfully considered to inform the finalisation of the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan.
To review the draft masterplan and provide feedback, visit Council’s Participate Hepburn webpage. Submissions will close at midnight on Tuesday 25 July.
Council will hold a drop in session to discuss the Masterplan with staff. Everyone is welcome to attend from 10am to 11.30am on Saturday 22 July at Glenlyon Recreation Reserve.
