The consultation period has now closed. Thank you for your feedback.

From October to November, we asked residents, business owners and pondage users to review the draft plan and provide feedback. We received community participation via survey and community consultation sessions. We are currently reviewing the feedback and preparing the masterplan for Council adoption. Thank you for your contributions.

Council is now calling on residents, business owners and pondage users to review the draft and provide feedback by Monday 20 November 2023

During community engagement processes in August to October, Council gathered ideas and feedback from over 50 people plus community groups to help us develop draft plans.

What we heard

• The natural bushland/ wildlife and peacefulness of the Pondage precinct is valued.
• The natural assets and features of the precinct should be protected and enhanced.
• There are insufficient public toilets available.
• Improve the condition of the walking path around the Lower Pondage (width, surface).
• Provide a walking path around the Upper Pondage.
• Improve the connection between the Pondage and the Eildon retail area.
• Clean up the vegetation along the edge the Pondage to increase pedestrian access points to the water for fishing and views.
• Increase and improve picnic areas, provide increased lighting and rubbish bins, and provide outdoor exercise equipment.
• Redevelop the Recreation Reserve pavilion.
• There is general support for the development of a wetlands area.
• Provide access to the water for unpowered watercraft.
• Continue to develop infrastructure that will support recreational uses and increase visitations to the precinct.
• Remove the Golden Trout Hotel or improve the presentation of the site, as its current condition presents poorly as a gateway into Eildon.

The draft plans per precinct

We encourage you to review the draft plans (above) and summary report before providing your feedback

How to get involved

• Complete the feedback form below
• Chat with us in person at the Eildon Twilight Market
  on Saturday 4 November from 4.00 – 8.00 pm

Next Steps

All feedback will be considered by Council and will help finalise the masterplan, ready for adoption at the December 2023 Scheduled Meeting of Council.

The Precincts

The consultation period has now closed. Thank you for your feedback.

From September to October, we asked you to share how you use the Eildon Pondage Precinct and your ideas on how it could be improved. We received community feedback via survey, interactive map and at pop-up kiosks.

Overview

The Eildon Pondage is enjoyed by many people, whether you like to fish, run, walk or relax around the Lower Pondage with a BBQ or picnic. It’s a fabulous spot, but we want to make it even better! That's why Council is developing an Eildon Pondage Precinct Masterplan. The Masterplan presents a unique opportunity to improve this important area in Eildon for both locals and visitors.

We’re asking you to share with us how you use the Pondage and your ideas on how we could improve it. Your input will help us develop the Masterplan, which will guide future development and key projects, as well as help Council and other agencies to budget and seek funding required to deliver improvements.

How to get involved:

Share your ideas on how we could improve the area

• Complete the online survey here
• Drop a pin on the Interactive Map here
• Chat with us in person at Eildon Grocer/FoodWorks
  on Thursday 21 September from 3.00 – 5.00 pm
  on Thursday 28 September from 10.00 am - 12.00 noon

Background

Recognising the previous Strategic Planning work undertaken for Eildon over the past 20 years, the project gathers all relevant information relating to the Pondage Precinct.

It’s now time to start the Masterplan. The preparation of a Masterplan will include concept plans for precincts with costings to inform Council’s proposal and budget.

Now we need your help to identify and prioritise what's important, using the input gathered over the years to inform the development of the project.

Let's refine, cost, budget, and make it happen together.

Next Steps

We will prepare a summary of the information gathered during the community engagement stage and a prepare a summary report, draft Masterplan and simple questionnaire for Stage Two consultation.

A report will be generated with all your suggestions, summarising feedback from the Loop, community pop-up sessions and face-to-face consultation. Your input will help us identify what is important to the community and users of the Pondage Precinct as well as inform us on key priorities for delivery.

A Council Report and master plan will be presented to Council at the December Scheduled meeting.