Update - 24 November, 2022
The final master plan for Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve was approved by Council on Tuesday 22 November, securing the natural values of the reserve, whilst providing opportunities for improved social wellbeing through a connection to nature and open space.
The success of the plan is largely due to the level of community input, the restoration of the natural values of the reserve and the appreciation for the reserve that has been built over time.
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.
Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve
Welcome
The Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve is located on the western boundary of the Indented Head township. The 13.6-hectare reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
As part of the City's commitment to protect, enhance and restore our region's biodiversity, we are developing a master plan for the reserve to help guide long-term planning.
The plan provides an overarching vision and guidance for the reserve; outlines the desired outcomes; recommends suitable opportunities and priority actions to be implemented in protecting and enhancing the natural values of the reserve; and passive recreational activities to enjoy and build appreciation for these natural values.
The plan considers:
- protecting and enhancing biodiversity;
- environmental resilience in a changing climate;
- collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to connect culture and biodiversity;
- building community awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting remaining natural areas on the Bellarine Peninsula;
- opportunities for improved social wellbeing, through connection to nature and open space; and
- providing opportunities for the community's appreciation of natural spaces to grow.
The City engaged with the local and broader community in 2021 to seek feedback on the key objectives and priority actions for the reserve, and identify if there were any other issues or opportunities that should be considered in the development of the plan.
An overwhelming support was received in favour of the conserving the long term natural values of this reserve.
The feedback received is being incorporated into the Draft Master plan document and will be presented to Council 24 May 2022 for approval to commence the next phase of engagement.
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, and helps us make decisions to ensure the Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve remains a beautiful, inviting place that meets the needs of the local community.
We'd love you to read the draft Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve Master Plan and provide your feedback.
Once this stage of the draft master plan engagement closes for feedback, we will collate and consider all responses as we finalise the Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve Master Plan.
Feedback from the community and any recommendations for change will be presented to Council for consideration 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.
We would love to hear what you think of our draft master plan.
Your feedback is a vital part of our planning. It helps us make decisions to ensure the Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve remains a natural, beautiful, and inviting place that meets the needs of the local community.
We'd love you to read the draft Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve Master Plan, and let us know if we 'Have we captured your thoughts; have we missed anything' from the first round of engagement.
Feedback can be provided by completing the online survey below. Hard copies of the survey are available at the Indented Heads General Store, 313 The Esplanade Indented Head from 10 June.
We are taking feedback from Wednesday 1 June 2022 until 5pm Friday 30 June 2022.
A summary about the feedback received will be shared back with the community later this year.
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Learn more about the reserve and its occupants
The reserve is home to a wide variety of Flora & Fauna
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Council briefing to approve community engagement
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Community Engagement - Stage 1
We will be seeking your feedback on the concept plan from 24 November 2021 to 21 January 2022.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Review community feedback and develop draft Indented Head Woodland Nature Reserve Master Plan
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Council endorsed community engagement on the Master Plan
Endorsed at Council Meeting of 24 May, 2022
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Timeline item 5 - complete
Draft Master Plan out for further Community Engagement - Stage 2
Have we captured your thoughts; have we missed anything?
Stage 2 community engagement opens 1 June, 2022
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Timeline item 6 - complete
Stage 2 Community engagement closes
5pm on Friday 30 June, 2022
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Timeline item 7 - complete
Master Plan adopted by Council