Council's Draft Colac Botanic Gardens Masterplan is currently on exhibition with the community invited to provide feedback.
Initial consultation seeking community input toward development of the draft commenced in September 2023 which included meetings with seven stakeholder groups and 270 responses to the online survey with thoughts and ideas gathered from this feedback used to guide preparation of the plan.
A briefing with Councillors and the consultant in November 2023 added to information in the draft masterplan.
General Manager Infrastructure and Operations Doug McNeill thanked people who had contributed to the community engagement process so far.
"We've had a great response with people keen to provide input to the early development stages of the draft masterplan, and people interested to view the draft and provide feedback.
"One of the key aspects of the community feedback included considerable interest in holding more events at the gardens, such as concerts and events.
"The draft masterplan proposes historic lawn terraces be re-established, running up the hill, which would increase space for people to sit and provide greater flexibility for the various types of events that could be staged at the gardens.
"The proposal includes relocating the CFA running track, and establishing a new five metre pedestrian pathway which also aims to offer pedestrian friendly access to the event area in all types of weather and provide safe vehicle access for event setup.
"Part of this work to support events in the Gardens would be improving drainage and permanent infrastructure like power and water to make setting up stages and other infrastructure easier," Mr McNeill said.
Should the Draft Masterplan be approved, part of the next stage of the design process would be to making sure the configuration of the event space works for users.
"Next steps to Council seeking to develop the central foreshore area as a regional event space would be to work with local businesses and Council's Events team to determine what facilities and services would be required.
"Council is proud of the Draft Colac Botanic Gardens Masterplan, and whilst we recognise that it already reflects community feedback received to date, we are keen to hear further feedback from residents of Colac and surrounding regions and visitors who enjoy usingthis space," Mr McNeill said.
The Draft Colac Botanic Gardens Masterplan can be viewed on Council's website. Submissions are invited via an online form, via email to [email protected] or in writing to PO Box 283, Colac VIC 3250. Submissions close at 5pm Monday 5 August 2024.
