Ideas wanted for river reserve plan

PEOPLE are being asked for their feedback on Golden Plains Shire’s masterplan for the Moorabool River Reserve at Batesford.

A survey is open on the municipality’s website until Monday, 9 January at 5pm with the aim of gauging how the reserve is used by residents and what activities people would like to see there.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said it’s a great opportunity to help steer the direction of the future use of the reserve.

“The Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford is a vibrant community space, and the Moorabool River Reserve Masterplan survey will help council understand how this space is used and identify opportunities for environmental and recreational development,” he said.

“I would encourage all residents of Batesford and surrounding communities who use the reserve to complete the survey to share your thoughts and ideas on how council can ensure the reserve’s environmental protection and growth for both native wildlife and the community.”

The site consists of 17 hectares of public space alongside 2.5 kilometres of the Moorabool River near the Riverstone Estate.

Privately owned for more than a century, the land was given to the municipality by the Ramsey Property Group in April.

The survey’s questions on the site’s future centre around its general management and environmental and recreational use.

Funds for the masterplan were secured by the municipality in November with $60,000 received through the State Government’s Barwon and Waterways of the West grant program.

The survey can be completed via email or the municipality’s website, and physical copies can be sent to the customer hub in Bannockburn or via email.