Community frustration grows over Serendip upgrades, Parks Victoria responds

PARKS Victoria has pushed back against a new petition criticising its approach to revitalising Serendip Sanctuary, while the number of signatures continues to climb.

The petition, which was launched two weeks ago and is now nearing 700 signatures, takes aim at Parks Victoria about its consultation with the community, delivery of upgrades at the site and its failure to provide “clear, timely updates”.

It also calls on the City of Greater Geelong to intervene and write to Parks Victoria and the Victorian Government to demand “clarity, transparency and accountability” for the project.

But Parks Victoria district manager David Petty has pushed back against these concerns, stating the body was continuing to provide project updates, seek feedback and identify opportunities to improve the park experience.

“Earlier this month, we released designs for works planned through the $11m commitment to Serendip and the You Yangs. Since then, we’ve held three community engagement sessions for people to give us feedback,” Mr Petty said.

“We provide community updates and opportunities for people to contribute to the project, following comprehensive engagement during the master plan process. There has been continuing engagement with Traditional Owner partners and users, including mountain bike clubs, educators and disability services.”

In November last year, Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos placed Parks Victoria under a “comprehensive review”, which he said would focus on the body’s administration, finances, functions and delivery model to “reduce red-tape, improve customer service and deliver better outcomes”.

“It’s clear that Parks Victoria’s current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations,” he said.

The review was to be completed by March but the outcome has not yet been made public.

Lara MP Ella George, who has been a member of the project’s stakeholder reference group since it was established in 2023, said she welcomed all feedback on the draft concept for the precinct, which propose upgrades to the visitor facilities, improved trails and enhanced wildlife viewing experiences.

“Serendip Sanctuary is a special place, loved by Lara locals and residents from across the region,” she said.

“I am proud of the state Labor Government’s $11 million investment into revitalising the You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary precinct, with early works on the project now beginning.”

She said she would continue to advocate for Parks Victoria to work with organisations such as Zoos Victoria to bring threatened species breeding programs back to Serendip Sanctuary.

The programs, which were once a key feature of the sanctuary’s offering, were removed throughout 2022, and although the master plan for the precinct suggests Serendip will continue to play a role in supporting threatened species, a business case for the reserve made public in 2023 confirmed that Parks Victoria never intended to keep them.

The city’s acting executive director of placemaking Jacqueline Randles said the city had always been “proudly supportive” of the preservation and growth of Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs Regional Park.

“Council has not received a petition regarding Serendip Sanctuary, however, should such a petition be received, Council would, as with all petitions, consider its merits and explore future advocacy opportunities,” she said.