Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan adopted

Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan adopted

Published on 16 May 2024

Future development of four of Kerang’s popular recreational areas will be guided by a masterplan developed in partnership with user groups and the community.

Adopted at Gannawarra Shire Council’s May 2024 Council Meeting, the Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan focuses on four key locations located west of the Kerang central business district – Atkinson Park, Kerang Regional Park, Riverside Park and the Sir John Gorton Precinct.

“The four locations identified in the Kerang Active Recreation Corridor provide year-round passive and active recreational options for residents and visitors,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“Whilst Council is not responsible for infrastructure across every section of this corridor, the masterplan will guide Council, land managers and the numerous groups that use these locations to implement much-needed improvements to ensure these sites meet current and future needs.”

Sport and Recreation Victoria provided Council with $30,000 to develop the masterplan, with Council staff and representatives from Group GSA spending the past 18 months working with users of the four sites to identify current and future demands, constraints and opportunities. These conversations resulted in the development of recommendations specific to each site to consolidate future development and investment.

“Feedback received during initial conversations helped develop the draft version of the masterplan, which reflects the local issues, industry standards and aligns with other Council strategic planning documents such as Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy and Aquatic Strategy,” Mayor Stanton said.

“The final version of the masterplan also incorporates feedback received during a community engagement program held in November and December 2023, highlighted by the setting up of a pop-up site in Victoria Square, Kerang that saw many residents visit, learn more about the document and provide feedback.”

The masterplan recommends proposed improvements at the following locations:

Atkinson Park (page 21 of the masterplan): Refurbishing the cenotaph, additional lighting and trees, installing a basketball half-court, upgrading the gym equipment and updating facilities at the adjoining Kerang Lawn Tennis Club. Kerang Regional Park (pages 27-28 of the masterplan): Installation of new entry, directional and educational signs to promote locations within and outside the riverfront precinct, new resting areas, barbecue spaces, and creation of a dog park. Council and the Kerang Pistol Club will also work on determining the future use and direction of the pistol club site. Riverside Park (page 34 of the masterplan): Reconfiguring and realigning the park’s two ovals, construction of a new indoor sports stadium at the Murray Street end of the precinct, relocating and upgrading the park’s netball courts, development of a new club house, improving sports lighting and formalised car parking areas, and creation of new play/fitness areas. Sir John Gorton Precinct (page 38 of the masterplan): Upgrades to the Sir John Gorton Library via The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra project, upgrading car parking and the potential location for a new swimming pool, as identified in the recently adopted Gannawarra Aquatic Strategy.

“All of the improvements and aspirations outlined in the Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan will require external funding from other levels of government and sporting bodies, with support from user groups and Council,” Mayor Stanton said.

“Council thanks all who were involved in developing the Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan and looks forward to working with user groups to see these actions come to fruition.”

To view the Kerang Active Recreation Corridor Masterplan, click on the Strategic Documents heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/documents