About
Council has secured funding through the Victorian Government’s Barwon and Waterways of the West Grant Program to develop a Masterplan for the newly acquired Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford.
The Reserve encompasses 17 hectares of public open space along 2.5 kilometres of the Moorabool River at the Riverstone Estate in Batesford.
Rich in biodiversity and cultural significance, the Reserve provides habitat for native wildlife while providing valuable open space for the community and passive recreational opportunities.
Council’s Environment and Sustainability team will work with stakeholders and the local community to develop the Masterplan which will guide the management and use of the Reserve into the future.
Why a Masterplan?
The Master Plan will consider the future uses and management of the Reserve to ensure that its natural and cultural values are protected.
It will place the Reserve in the context of a rapidly expanding Geelong, the broader Moorabool River corridor and will investigate how the Reserve will link with and be used by the growing Batesford community. Therefore, it is important that the community has input into the Master Plan.
Engagement Update
Community members of Batesford were invited to have their say on what they would like to see developed at the Reserve to protect its natural and cultural values, while also meeting the needs of the local Batesford community from 28 November, 2022 to 9 January, 2023.
Council’s Community Places and Environment team hosted a community meeting at the Batesford Community Hall on Tuesday 13 December, 2022.
Council also hosted a community walk at the Moorabool River Reserve on Saturday 17 December, 2022.
What happens next
The feedback provided during the consultation period will now be used to directly influence the development of the Masterplan.