Woowookarung Regional Park Strategic Directions Plan Draft Submission guideWoowookarung Regional Park is a new 641-hectare park located in Ballarat and was created in 2016 in response to community demand and advocacy from the Friends of the Canadian Corridor.

Development of the Woowookarung Regional Park Draft Strategic Directions Plan has been informed by extensive engagement with community, stakeholders and planning partners throughout 2017 to help guide decisions around the planning and management of the park. These decisions are based on the park’s natural and cultural values and aims to realise the many aspirations for the park as an important community and recreational asset.

The draft plan’s eight strategic directions aim to protect and enhance the park’s cultural and natural values while reflecting the aspirations identified by the local community. Parks Victoria is now seeking feedback on the Draft Plan to inform the final planning document.

Comments on the draft plan can be provided in a number of ways, by: Completing this submission form Completing an online survey available on the Parks Victoria website, or Writing a letter which clearly sets our your comments and views. Your submission can be as short

or long as you wish.

You can upload your submission form on Parks Victoria website or Engage Victoria website or email it to Parks Victoria or mail it to The Manager, Regional Delivery – Western Region, Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

The final date to receive submissions will be Friday 29 June 2018.

Copies of the plan can either be downloaded from Parks Victoria’s website or at Engage Victoria websiteor purchased for $10 from Parks Victoria offices at Ballarat and the Parks Victoria Information Centre by phoning 13 1963.

Make your submission effectiveBefore making your submission, take the time to read the draft Strategic Directions Plan and each of the eight strategic directions, supporting goals and strategies. When writing your submission we ask that you:

Type or write clearly Give your opinion on the information and strategies in the draft plan and explain the reasons for

your opinions Use the plan’s page numbers and headings as cross-references to your comments If possible, put comments under headings corresponding to plan sections, noting the page and

paragraph numbers. Explain how your concerns could be addressed, or suggest alternative management strategies and

improvements to information List any references or data that support your comments.

What happens to your submission? Parks Victoria will acknowledge all written submissions in writing and carefully consider your feedback when preparing the final Strategic Directions Plan for approval.

PrivacyThe names of individuals and groups submitting comments will be published in the final plan unless you mark your submission as ‘CONFIDENTIAL’. After publication of the approved plan, copies of all submissions received will be made available for public inspection unless marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL’.

Woowookarung Regional ParkDraft Strategic Directions PlanSubmission guide

Parks Victoria is committed to protecting your personal information by complying with the information privacy principles set out in the Information Privacy Act 2000. Parks Victoria’s privacy policy can be viewed online at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/privacy or you can call 13 1963 and request that a copy be sent to you.

Submission on Woowookarung Regional ParkDraft Strategic Directions Plan

Your name: ________________________________________________________________________

Organisation (if relevant): __________________________________________________________

Email or Postal address: _________________________________________________________________

Do you want your submission to be treated as confidential? □ Yes □ No Date:

Main reason for interest: (e.g. local resident, visitor to parks, tourism operator, environmental interest, business operator, education interest, scientific interest, etc.).

Comments: (Your submission can be as short or long as you wish. Please put any comments you have under the relevant headings corresponding to the plan’s eight strategic direction sections, and ensure you note page and paragraph numbers. You may also attach more pages as required.

Strategic Direction 01: Celebrate the cultureWoowookarung Regional Park has a rich and varied history with many different stories and places of interest. Telling these stories, past, present and future, is a vital part of sharing and celebrating the park as is creating new experiences and events. The plan also provides an opportunity to name many of the unique features and sites within the park not yet named to help people discover and navigate their way through the park.

Strategic Direction 0 2 - Nurture the ecology

The park is home to many native plants and animals, which rely on its waterways and habitats. The plan explores how these ecologies could be nurtured and enhanced, along with further mapping of the park to identify, restore and protect areas of environmental sensitivity. This will also help inform the design and location of recreational activities so that visitors can enjoy the park without impacting on the environment.

Strategic Direction 3 – Optimise land management

The park shares a boundary with a network of roads, tracks, private properties and infrastructure, which can impact the movement of wildlife and cause damage to the habitat. An important long term strategy will be to work with other land managers, service providers and private landholders to reduce these impacts and enhance the park and visitor experience.

Strategic Direction 04 - Regenerate the forest

The former plantation areas of the park are now regenerating and will over time create a more cohesive feel to the park. The plan looks at how to best restore the forest with what type of vegetation and where to create ecological corridors that can link the park and support wildlife movement through it. It also proposes strategies to manage weed infestations and develop ecological burning regimes in partnership with the Traditional Owners and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Strategic Direction 05 - Develop loops and circuits

Creating pathways that allow people to experience the park and cater for their different interests, ages, and fitness levels is an important part of the park design. The plan proposes a network of shared and single purpose tracks and loops based on visitor needs and the ability to provide easy access to and from key visitor sites. Further detailed planning will be undertaken with stakeholders to ensure sensitive and important ecological areas are protected.

Strategic Direction 06 – Create forest visitor sites

Visitor sites will provide places for people to easily access, explore and experience the park while also revealing Woowookarung Regional Park’s unique character. A number of sites have been proposed as part of the plan along with facilities to support visitor needs and activities and will be connected by a network of trails and circuits to help people navigate their way through the park.

Strategic Direction 07 – Connect to the city

Connecting Woowookarung Regional Park to the rest of Ballarat’s through shared pathways, ecological corridors, tracks, recreational activities and a program of annual events will make the park more accessible and link it to other important open spaces within the city including Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park.

Strategic Direction 08 – Connect people and the park

The ongoing success of the park will depend on encouraging community ownership of the park including strategies to develop events, partnerships and activities that can bring wider health, educational, economic and tourism benefits to the people of Ballarat and its visitors.

Other comments about the draft plan.