Plenty Gorge Park Draft Master Plan Consultation Report Draft Master Plan April 8
Introduction As part of the development of the Plenty Gorge Park Master Plan, Parks Victoria designed a consultation and engagement program to provide the community, Traditional Owners and key stakeholders with the opportunity to inform the ongoing development of the master plan. The master plan will inform and guide investment decisions on how to design and develop engaging visitor experiences, through the provision of supporting facilities, programs and services. The consultation process sought to:. Identify the current visitor offer of the park and assess the level of provision against community and visitor expectations. Identify facilities in need of immediate remediation, refurbishment or replacement and priorities for development 3. Identify the strategic direction for the parks recreational offer in accordance with Parks Victoria corporate goals. What We Did During the draft master plan phase of consultation, Parks Victoria engaged with Traditional Owners, the local community and existing and future visitors to the park. Feedback was collected through a number of tools and forums including: Postcards at the Parks Victoria Office in Plenty Gorge Park highlighting the available feedback mechanisms. An online survey via the Engage Victoria website. Community consultation daya at two separate venues, located in close proximity to the park. A meeting with Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council to discuss the concept plan. Meetings with Whittlesea Council, Nillumbik Council and Melbourne Water representatives. Meetings with Parks Victoria staff and park rangers. Separate stakeholder meetings and events. All phases of community and stakeholder engagement are now complete. This report summarises the findings of the consultation program to inform the development and finalisation of the Plenty Gorge Park Master Plan.
What we Heard This document summarises survey data collected from 7 respondents during the Plenty Gorge Draft Master Plan engagement period between November 7 and 9 January 8. The overall support for the draft master plan was very high, with not a single respondent unsupportive. Further information provided in this document summaries the data collected which was used to inform the final master plan. 6 Level of overall support 4 3 Very supportive Supportive Not sure / Don't know Unsupportive Very unsupportive No answer Demographics Of the 8 people who responded to the survey, 9 provided their postcode. The highest survey response came from residents living immediately to the east and north of Plenty Gorge. 8 people responded from Mernda, 4 from South Morang and from Mill Park. 4 4 3 8 For residents living to the east of the park, the highest survey response came from the south east in Greensborough with 7 responses. 7 The age range was -74, with the highest level of survey respondents aged between 3-49. It should be noted that 7% did not provide their age. 4 4, 8,4, m
Key Summary of Responses The following information provides a summary of the feedback collected during public consultation, together with the recommended amendments made to the final master plan: 4% of survey respondents identified mountain bike riding as the main activity they do in the park. This was the most popular visitor activity identified in the consultation feedback. Proposals in the master plan include formalising a series of mountain bike tracks as part of the parks visitor service offer. Feedback noted that more effective trail networks and wayfinding signage is required in the park. The master plan proposes a series of pedestrian walking tracks offering access to a diverse range of visitor experiences. Submissions noted the parks limited visitor offer with respondents requesting services to facilitate activities including orienteering, fishing, swimming, rock climbing, nature appreciation, dog walking and geocaching. The master plan has increased the diversity and range of visitor experiences for the growing local and regional community. 7% of respondents support a review of the wildlife fence. The master plan explores options for improved visitor access through the fence in some locations, particularly in the southern sections of the park. 36% of respondents want the entire length of the trail built. The master plan includes a series of linked trails providing access both north / south and east / west linking the residential communities of Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Darebin and Banyule. % of respondents highlighted the Bridge Inn Rd to Wiltonvale trail connection as a high priority. The master plan explores recommendations and priorities for trail linkages in high residential areas and key transport / commuter links, including the Bridge Inn Rd to Wiltonvale link. 7% of respondents were supportive or very supportive of the proposal to upgrade the Hawkstowe Picnic Area. The master plan recommends the enhancement of the visitor offer at the Hawkstowe Picnic Area. Further detailed site planning will be required to explore and define the visitor experience of this precinct. 7% of respondents were supportive of moving the Blue Lake facilities to Yellowgum. The master plan proposes enhancement of the Yellowgum visitor precinct, defining this as a key visitor destination. Approximately 8% of respondents were supportive of the proposal for Middle Gorge. The master plan has increased the diversity and range of visitor experiences for the growing local and regional community surrounding middle gorge. The community supports more east / west crossings of Plenty River. The master plan provides recommendations for where river crossings are proposed. River crossings will be further investigated as part of a detailed site planning project.
Which section of the Plenty River Trail do you consider a priority? 4 3 3 Bridge Inn Rd to Wiltonvale (PRT) Morang Wetlands to Middle Gorge (PRT) Middle Gorge to Tanunda Wetlands (PRT3) Tananda Wetlands to the southeast end of the park (PRT4+) All of it Not sure or not answered Which crossing of the Plenty River do you consider a priority? 4 3 3 age Northern pipe track linking Dooreen Mernda Yarrambat Wiltonvale Nioka Hawkstowe Mill Park Yellow Gum Southern pipe track linking University Hill to Planty River Trail All Other Not answered Do you agree with the proposal to review the Plenty Gorge Park Wildlife Fence? 8 7 6 age 4 3 Yes No Not sure Not answered Level of support [percent] Justified by a comment [percent]