Roberts Court Bushland Reserve Draft Master Plan

Have your say

A Draft Master Plan has been developed to guide future management of this site. We’re asking the community to review the proposed plan and provide feedback.

Read the Roberts Court Bushland Reserve Draft Master Plan Summary Flyer for more details.

Following successful acquisition of the land by Council in 2022, we sought community feedback in August 2025 to capture key themes, community expectations, and local priorities for the reserve. Feedback was considered and incorporated into the Draft Master Plan, which is now available for review.

This is the second and final opportunity for the community to provide input and feedback on the proposal before a final Master Plan is presented to Council for endorsement towards the end of the year.

Find out more about this project below.

What you told us

You told us you wanted to see the reserve become a place where people could connect with nature through walking, learning and reflection, while safeguarding wildlife, ecological values and cultural heritage. You wanted the visitor experience without compromising ecological integrity. You asked for sensitive design solutions that would respond to the natural setting with limited disturbance to flora, fauna and bushland character. You also told us you wanted interpretive and educational features celebrating Aboriginal cultural values and the unique ecological characteristics of the site.

Read the Roberts Court Bushland Reserve Engagement Report Phase 1 for more details.

How this shaped the Draft Master Plan

The Draft Plan sets out a vision for future improvements and management based of the site. Some of the proposed improvements include;

  • Securing the reserve boundaries and entrances and preventing unauthorised vehicle access
  • Providing a path link between Roberts Court Bushland and Rivendale Park
  • Establishing a perimeter trail utilising fire breaks
  • Sensitively siting internal trails on the drier portions of the site
  • Promoting Aboriginal culture and stories as part of an interpretive trail
  • Providing a small carparking area at the Roberts Court end of the site

What to expect in the future

The Draft Master Plan establishes a flexible roadmap for staged improvements over time. Once adopted the plan will guide upgrades that balance, nature, culture, drainage and everyday community use, making Roberts Court Bushland Reserve an oasis for escaping the urban landscape for both locals and visitors.

The primary objective of the Draft Master Plan is to restore and protect the site’s ecological systems, with a focus on the sites unique flora and fauna. Weed control, monitoring flora and fauna and restoring vegetation communities will be an ongoing priority.

The Draft Plan promotes a vision of shared stewardship with the local community. Council is keen to encourage and facilitate ongoing community support and volunteer involvement in the management of the site. The plan also looks at ways to increase community appreciation of the site's ecological values.

Traditional Owners have also expressed their support for the project and a desire for ongoing involvement in naming the reserve and collaborating with Council on the development of a cultural trail.

The Draft Plan recognises that site drainage needs to be considered in connection with the flooding issues experienced downstream in Weerong Road industrial estate. The Draft Plan considers a range of flood mitigation strategies and water-sensitive interventions to improve drainage, reduce erosion, and help address flooding issues.

Achieving the vision of the Master Plan will require commitment to the plan's key objectives. Implementation will rely on funding availability through Council’s budget processes and external grant opportunities.

Let us know what you think of the Draft Master Plan

You can email your feedback to Open.Space@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au or call 1300 229 229 and ask to speak to our Open Space Planner.

Consultation on the Draft Masterplan will conclude at 5pm on Thursday 20 August 2026, following a four-week consultation period.

Have your say

A Draft Master Plan has been developed to guide future management of this site. We’re asking the community to review the proposed plan and provide feedback.

Read the Roberts Court Bushland Reserve Draft Master Plan Summary Flyer for more details.

Following successful acquisition of the land by Council in 2022, we sought community feedback in August 2025 to capture key themes, community expectations, and local priorities for the reserve. Feedback was considered and incorporated into the Draft Master Plan, which is now available for review.

This is the second and final opportunity for the community to provide input and feedback on the proposal before a final Master Plan is presented to Council for endorsement towards the end of the year.

Find out more about this project below.

What you told us

You told us you wanted to see the reserve become a place where people could connect with nature through walking, learning and reflection, while safeguarding wildlife, ecological values and cultural heritage. You wanted the visitor experience without compromising ecological integrity. You asked for sensitive design solutions that would respond to the natural setting with limited disturbance to flora, fauna and bushland character. You also told us you wanted interpretive and educational features celebrating Aboriginal cultural values and the unique ecological characteristics of the site.

Read the Roberts Court Bushland Reserve Engagement Report Phase 1 for more details.

How this shaped the Draft Master Plan

The Draft Plan sets out a vision for future improvements and management based of the site. Some of the proposed improvements include;

  • Securing the reserve boundaries and entrances and preventing unauthorised vehicle access
  • Providing a path link between Roberts Court Bushland and Rivendale Park
  • Establishing a perimeter trail utilising fire breaks
  • Sensitively siting internal trails on the drier portions of the site
  • Promoting Aboriginal culture and stories as part of an interpretive trail
  • Providing a small carparking area at the Roberts Court end of the site

What to expect in the future

The Draft Master Plan establishes a flexible roadmap for staged improvements over time. Once adopted the plan will guide upgrades that balance, nature, culture, drainage and everyday community use, making Roberts Court Bushland Reserve an oasis for escaping the urban landscape for both locals and visitors.

The primary objective of the Draft Master Plan is to restore and protect the site’s ecological systems, with a focus on the sites unique flora and fauna. Weed control, monitoring flora and fauna and restoring vegetation communities will be an ongoing priority.

The Draft Plan promotes a vision of shared stewardship with the local community. Council is keen to encourage and facilitate ongoing community support and volunteer involvement in the management of the site. The plan also looks at ways to increase community appreciation of the site's ecological values.

Traditional Owners have also expressed their support for the project and a desire for ongoing involvement in naming the reserve and collaborating with Council on the development of a cultural trail.

The Draft Plan recognises that site drainage needs to be considered in connection with the flooding issues experienced downstream in Weerong Road industrial estate. The Draft Plan considers a range of flood mitigation strategies and water-sensitive interventions to improve drainage, reduce erosion, and help address flooding issues.

Achieving the vision of the Master Plan will require commitment to the plan's key objectives. Implementation will rely on funding availability through Council’s budget processes and external grant opportunities.

Let us know what you think of the Draft Master Plan

You can email your feedback to Open.Space@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au or call 1300 229 229 and ask to speak to our Open Space Planner.

Consultation on the Draft Masterplan will conclude at 5pm on Thursday 20 August 2026, following a four-week consultation period.

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Page last updated: 30 Jul 2026, 12:40 PM