Unveiling rec reserve project plans

THE future of the dormant Warrenheip Recreation Reserve will soon be made clear.

Next week will see the launch of a masterplan for the site which has been in the works since 2022, with community members and organisers invited to hear about the upcoming projects slated for the reserve.

The masterplan has been developed with input from the Committee 4 Warrenheip and the rec reserve’s committee of management.

Member of both groups, Kelly Bevan, said the launch will showcase incoming developments for the community.

“We’ve had a few iterations based on community consultation and this will be the final one incorporating people’s feedback,” she said.

“There’ll be things in there like a walking area, more green spaces and vegetation.

“The idea of the launch is to show this to the community but also generate some interest to start to deliver these projects.”

Immediate projects featured in the masterplan include a dedicated walking track which is planned to be completed in spring, as well as an 18-month-long project to establish a children’s play space.

The latter is being supported with $50,000 from the State Government’s Tiny Towns grants program, and the Warrenheip Community Trust Fund, while Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is helping fund the walking track.

Other projects include overhauling the current toilets, while an Indigenous food display garden, 3×3 basketball courts, and a pickleball court are also on the agenda.

Ms Bevan said an overhauled recreation reserve has long been needed in Warrenheip.

“The rec reserve has been unused for a number of years,” she said. “We used to have the tennis club there before they relocated to Tea Tree Road so it’s been used more for sheep paddocks.

“We realised during the pandemic that there isn’t a lot out there for the community in terms of recreational activities so it’s an opportunity to put all that into our reserve as a starting point.

“We’ll chip away at all of these projects but the main ones right now are the play space and the walking track.”

The masterplan has been supported with funding from Community Bank Buninyong and Community Bank Ballan and District.

The launch will take place on Monday 2 September from 7pm at the Warrenheip Memorial Hall.