New parklands along the Barwon River
connecting Geelong to Barwon Heads
 Parklands
Vision
Imagine a journey by bike or on foot from Geelong, past an
improved Belmont Common and on to the Barwon Bluff Marine
Sanctuary, joining the on-road bike path from Ocean Grove
to Drysdale and the Bellarine Rail Trail back to Geelong.
Parks Victoria, with the other management agencies, is committed
to the creation of the Barwon River Parklands. We will improve
existing opportunities along more than 30 kilometres of the
river from Geelong across the Bellarine Peninsula. A range
of planning, environmental or capital works have already taken
place at Buckley Falls, Leopold and Barwon Heads
The project builds on the popular recreation opportunities
of the existing trail network, and the Belmont Common, to
create a place of great local and regional pride while protecting
the natural environment.
 Download
a larger map of the parklands
Engaging the community
The Barwon River Parklands partnership agencies are committed
to having an ongoing process
of engagement with the community.
We will:
- Inform the community about the project.
- Consult in relation to the best trail alignments.
- Have a partnership approach between all partner agencies
and the community to deliver the Barwon River Parklands.
Traditional owners, interest groups, land holders and the
wider Geelong community will also be involved in decisions
about the Barwon River Parklands. The consultative process
will build on existing and draft local strategies and plans.
Open House Forums
Take this opportunity to talk to the Barwon
River Parklands Steering Committee and Parks Victoria about
how this parkland can be further improved, in a way, which
provides great recreational benefits, while managing the natural
environment, wetlands and native wildlife of this unique and
important waterway.
The Open House Forum is designed to be flexible;
you can come and stay for a short time, or longer if you wish,
and gives you the opportunity to hear about the progress of
work and planning for the Barwon River Parklands. Investigations
into four trail concept alignments are now compete and your
input is sought to help plan the next stages of delivery in
this exciting “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” initiative.
About the potential trail alignments
There are opportunities for trail alignments north and south
of the river corridor, at varying distances from the river
and water bodies themselves. Existing road reserves may provide
some opportunities for walking and/or cycling routes. .
We now seek your input into the possible trail alignments
and key visitor areas within the parklands.
Potential
trail alignments
Barwon
River Parklands survey (submit your feedback to us by
22 June 2009)
Come to any of the four open houses:
Geelong Amateur Football Club
Queens Park, Queens Park Road
5.00pm to 7.30pm Tuesday 26 May
Gordon Institute of TAFE
East Geelong Campus, Enter via Olney Avenue
Level 2 -Rms G2.03& G2.04
5.00pm to 7.30pm, Wednesday 27 May
Gateway Plaza, Leopold
Corner Bellarine Hwy & Melaluka Road, Leopold
10.30am to 1.00pm, Saturday 30 May
Barwon Heads Hall
Corner Hitchcock Avenue & Ozone Road, Barwon Heads
3.45pm to 6.15pm, Tuesday 2 June
Community Group Grants
The Barwon River Parklands Community Group Grants program
provides funding for community group projects that aim to
achieve one or more of the following:
- Protect and enhance the natural, cultural and heritage
values of parks and reserves in the Barwon River Parklands
area
- Provide diverse recreational, educational, cultural and
tourism opportunities
- Facilitate the involvement of the wider multicultural
community in environmental and recreational projects
- Assist the Barwon River Parklands agencies to gain a
better understanding of the recreational needs and environmental
perspective of Victoria's culturally and linguistically
diverse communities
Find
out more by reading the application form and guidelines.
Barwon River
The Barwon River is integral to the natural environment of
Geelong and is the source of most of Geelong's water supply.
It feeds several lakes including Lake Connewarre before entering
the sea at Barwon Heads. The river is a popular area for recreational
activities such as rowing, water skiing, boating and fishing.
Its banks and surrounds are used for walking, running, sport,
cycling and picnics.
The Barwon River flows through the Belmont Common precinct
which includes natural wetlands, remnant native vegetation
and bird life, as well as several sporting facilities including
Barwon Valley Golf Course, football ovals and rowing clubrooms.
Environment and recreation
While protecting the environment is essential, there is an
opportunity to also create safe and sustainable places to
enjoy the great outdoors.
By developing an extensive network of trails, loops and visitor
nodes, the community will have the opportunity to walk, cycle
or paddle while in the natural beauty of the Barwon River
and its wetlands.
Become involved in the Barwon River Parklands
Parks Victoriais is the lead agency in a partnership of management
agencies:
- The City of Greater Geelong
- Barwon Water
- Barwon Coast Committee of Management
- Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
- Department of Sustainability and Environment
- Department of Planning and Community Development
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