Update - 24 November 2022

The final master plan for Bluewaters Lake Reserve was approved by Council on Tuesday 22 November securing the natural values of the reserve, while providing staged opportunities for improvements and renewal of existing features.

The success of the plan is largely due to the level of community input, sharing their aspirations for the reserve, to ensure it meets the communities needs while protecting and enhancing the natural values.

The final master plan and consultation report can be found in the document library of this page.

The City now looks forward to working with the community and stakeholders on implementing the plan.

Contributions to this engagement have now closed.

OVERVIEW

Blue Waters Lake Reserve in Ocean Grove is a unique habitat wetland surrounded by houses. Approximately 7.4 hectares in size, the reserve supports a mix of native and introduced vegetation and many native bird species including eight listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

The unsealed path that circumnavigates the lake is popular for daily exercise, family walks and bird watching, and the grassed areas of the reserve provide a space for tranquil picnics beside the water.

Blue Waters Lake Reserve plays an important role in the Ocean Grove drainage network, filtering pollutants and nutrients from stormwater before it makes its way into the Barwon River.

In 2002 the first Blue Waters Lake Masterplan was developed. We are working closely with our local community to refresh our masterplan to ensure that planning for the future of this valued local reserve reflects community needs and expectations.

In 2020, the City spoke to over one hundred residents and visitors to shape a vision for the Blue Waters Lake Reserve Masterplan.

There was a fantastic level of interest and hundreds of contributions which have now been collated and are summarised in the Engagement Summary Report.

The feedback during this period has been considered and helped inform the development of the draft master plan.

You told us:

  • "Blue Waters Lake is a hidden gem for wildlife, nature and going for a stroll, dog walk or run”
  • "Keep the rain and flood water off the path. Do not touch ANY trees. Ban adult cyclists except accompanying children Make no changes"
  • "More Seats for the elderly please"

We've used these inspirations to create an exciting 2022 draft masterplan for the reserve so it can evolve with our City.

We would like to once again thank everyone for their time and contributions so far and look forward to your feedback on the draft to help shape and finalise the final plan.

Your feedback is a vital part of our planning for the future, and helps us make decisions to ensure the Blue Waters Lake Reserve remains a beautiful, inviting place that meets the needs of the local community.

We'd love you to read the draft Blue Waters Lake Master Plan and provide your feedback below.

Once this stage of the draft Master Plan engagement closes for feedback, we will collate and consider all responses as we finalise the Blue Waters Lake Reserve Master Plan.

Feedback from the community and any recommendations for change will be presented to Council for approval and adoption at the Council Meeting in the second half of 2022.

The adopted Master Plan will be published on the City's website, and here on our Have Your Say page. An updated summary report will also be published on this page, which will include what we heard and what changes were made in response to feedback.

Your feedback

Your feedback is a vital part of our planning for the future, and helps us make decisions to ensure the Blue Waters Lake Reserve remains a beautiful, inviting place that meets the needs of the local community.

We'd love you to read the draft Blue Waters Lake Reserve Master Plan here, or in the Document Library section of this page and let us you know 'Have we captured your thoughts; have we missed anything' from the first round of engagement.

Feedback opportunity was via our online survey below which was open for 60 days from Monday 30 May, 2022 until 5pm Friday 29 July, 2022.

  • Survey

    Complete the survey to tell us what is important to you and provide general feedback.

    Our survey has closed - thank you