This survey will take approximately 15 minutes (plus prior reading time of the plan) to complete, and will ask you about your knowledge and use of the park, a bit more about you and then your level of support for each of the eight ideas put forward in the draft plan. It also provides an opportunity for you to add any further comments and suggestions you may have. The survey closes on Friday 29 June 2018.

To ensure your feedback is meaningful, we recommend that you download and read the Draft Strategic Directions Plan prior to completing this survey. Where possible, we also ask you to note any comments you have under the headings that relate to the strategies being discussed or, alternatively, note the page number in the planning document.

To be kept informed of progress with this draft plan, log in before completing the survey.

Part A: Your interest in the plan and use of the park

Part B: Draft Plan comments and views

The following section provides a summary of the Draft Plan’s eight directions, which are supported by specific goals and detailed planning and management strategies within the planning document. We ask that you review each section and then tell us how supportive you are (or not) of the proposed goals and strategies and why.

Strategic Direction 01: Celebrate the culture

Woowookarung 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 02 - 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 03 - Optimise land management

The park shares a boundary with a network of roads, tracks, private properties and infrastructure, which can impact on the movement of wildlife and cause damage to habitat.

An important long term strategy will be to work with other land managers, service providers and private landholders to develop a shared ways of working that will work 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, 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 O8 - 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.

Overall support for the draft plan