Plan to grow Whittlesea Park

The City of Whittlesea has adopted a new master plan to guide decision-making around Whittlesea Park for the next decade.  

The Whittlesea Park Master Plan, consisting of 13 key recommendations, was unanimously approved at Tuesday night’s Council Meeting. 

The plan was developed by the City of Whittlesea in collaboration with the Whittlesea Showgrounds and Recreation Reserves Committee of Management. 

Located on a 25-hectare reserve in the Whittlesea township, the park is comprised of a number of reserves, facilities and amenities, including: 

• AF Walker Reserve 
• Whittlesea Off-Leash Dog Park 
• Whittlesea Tennis Club and Courts 
• C McDonald Reserve Playground 
• Laurel Street Kindergarten 
• Whittlesea Skate Park 

The approved master plan outlines upgrades to the reserve’s entrances and improvements to the playground to meet the needs of children of all ages. 

Council will build new picnic areas with barbecue facilities and furniture and create a three-metre-wide circuit path with pedestrian bridge crossings and fitness stations. 

Access will also be improved through installation of new pedestrian bridge crossings over Scrubby Creek, Plenty River and Bruce Creek, while work will be done to improve access to the Whittlesea Showgrounds from Beech Street. 

Under the plan, a tree strategy will be developed that provides for an audit of all existing trees, while parking arrangements along Laurel, Forest, Walnut and Beech streets will be formalised. 

Dog owners will benefit from an upgrade to the existing off-leash dog park, the planting of additional trees and a quiet dog zone. 

Skate park and playground users will enjoy the convenience of public toilets being built at the Walnut Street entrance, while Council will investigate the option of future toilet facilities at Laurel Street. 

The master plan provides for the retention of the Fire Rescue Victoria training area and an upgrade to include multi-use facilities including learn-to-ride and exercise tracks and netball courts. 

Council and the Committee of Management will collaborate with state government partners to improve the quality of vegetation along the waterways and develop an interpretative signage plan to promote the cultural history of the area. 

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the master plan would entrench the park as an important space for both passive and active recreation activities in the Whittlesea township. 

She said Council would deliver the master plan in stages, subject to future budgets and grant allocations. 

“Council is committed to ensuring our parks meet the needs of our communities and support the active, outdoor lifestyles residents enjoy so much,” she said. 

To help deliver the recommendations, Council will take over management responsibilities for the land west of Bruces Creek-Plenty River, where most of the infrastructure will be located. 

Council has already been successful in obtaining $500,000 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund to construct a new bridge over the Plenty River at the end of Laurel Street. 

The bridge will provide a safer connection for residents in Eastern Hill with the educational, commercial and community facilities in the Whittlesea township. 

To view the master plan, go to Whittlesea Park Master Plan