How to provide your feedback

There are seven tabs below, one for the proposed changes to the overall precinct and six to capture the different zones. Each tab contains more detailed information about the proposed changes and a short questionnaire. Please click on a tab to access the information for that area and complete the short questionnaire. Thank you!

Precinct wide

Precinct wide proposed actions
  1. Provide interpretive signage at all park entries and throughout the park for information and educational purposes. Consider the historical significance of the precinct and how that translates to the present day including indigenous history and post settlement heritage
  2. Develop a consistent signage suite for the park. Implement accessible gateway, wayfinding, etiquette, identification and interpretive signage across the site
  3. Consider programming opportunities within the park including educational programs, organised recreational activities, arts and culturally events, festivals and markets
  4. Upgrade the existing paths to establish a safe and accessible network where possible. Consider the use of boardwalks or ‘mini mesh’ as required to protect trees and root systems
  5. Upgrade all existing furniture to comply with Council's preferred furniture suite including DDA compliant drink fountains, seats, picnic tables and barbecues at all activity nodes and picnic tables at Bellbird picnic area
  6. Update the ‘Areas of Cultural Heritage Sensitivity’ overlay within Emerald Lake Precinct to include the overall extent of the Wattle Creek, Paternoster Creek and Mackenzie Creek
  7. Implement and undertake the recommendations outlined in the 2020 Tree Assessment Report including maintaining and improving weed and pest management
  8. Ensure the structural integrity of lake edges are maintained or improved in all works
  9. Prepare a strategy for long term replacement planting of nursery and exotic trees in accordance with the 2020 Conservation Management Plans
  10. Restrict vehicle access within the park to maintenance and emergency vehicles only, to reduce traffic and improve pedestrian safety
  11. Engage traditional owners to add value to the precinct upgrades including interpretive signage and artwork
  12. Include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in future development of the park to ensure the safety of all users
  13. Continue to work with Friends of Emerald Lake Park with removal of invasive woody weeds and native revegetation works
  14. Complete a fire management strategy for the site that will complement the Emergency Management Plan for extreme weather and fire which is already in place
  15. Develop a waste management plan for the precinct


Whole of Site Actions

Western Forest

Proposed changes to the Western Forest zone
  1. Define the Eastern Dandenong Rangers Trail (EDRT) through the park with consistent wayfinding and etiquette signage. Retain existing surface through the western forest.
  2. Encourage imaginative play opportunities to the informal nature play area and the addition of wide wooden steps. Ensure Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles are considered.
  3. Preserve and enhance significant natural assets in the precinct. Undertake an additional tree survey to identify trees and tree groups along the tracks in the western forest in accordance with the Emerald Lake Park Conservation Management Plan.
  4. Raise the Pines Amphitheatre to ground level with rock seats to create an informal seating area for groups. Provide an accessible path to provide a safe connection for all users.
  5. Provide bird hides for bird watchers and nature photographers in different areas of the park
  6. Repair areas through the western forest that have been damaged by mountain biking. Install barricades to encourage bike riders to use the EDRT and prevent them from accessing problem areas.

Lake Treganowan

Proposed changes to the Lake Treganowan zone
  1. Upgrade existing playground facilities to original level play space with a broad range of play opportunities for all ages and abilities including water play, accessible play, nature play and Changing Places facility
  2. Enhance the Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre to include a sound shell with lighting shelter and a stage area, all abilities access (i.e. blended ramp and stairs), vehicle access and pedestrian priority road crossing. Upgrade the existing seating facilities to composite timber seats including seating areas for all abilities. As required, relocate or replace the murals which depict the precinct's history
  3. Define the Eastern Dandenong Rangers Trail (EDRT) with sealed servicing and way finding and etiquette signage. Upgrade the trial as required to meet regional standards (noting that this may be that this may require removal or relocation of existing trees)
  4. Connect the EDRT through the Lakeside carpark. Construct a retaining wall along the southern edge as required
  5. Define an all abilities loop path around the lake with sealed surfacing, lighting, and way finding and etiquette signage
  6. Investigate developing the Lakeside Office building to ‘Emerald Lake Boathouse.’ Opportunity to retain the paddle boats, part of the Council office and to include a water side restaurant or cafe (pending market interest for private investment)
  7. Upgrade the paths, drainage and garden bed areas behind the Lakeside building with accessible paths and new planted areas including the removal of fencing and edging to garden bed areas. Consider ground covers and plants that prevent erosion of garden beds and to keep sight lines open to encourage CPTED
  8. New bridge connecting the playspace to the loop path around the lake and to allow the bandstand to be blocked off to pedestrian traffic during events and performances
  9. New bike parking, drink fountains and bike repair station near the EDRT
  10. Realign car parking bays along the southern edge of the Lakeside carpark to allow for the EDRT connection and create additional car parking bays, including disabled parking bays
  11. Provide lighting to Lakeside carpark and retain existing parking meter
  12. Construct stairs with safety balustrades to the top of the embankment and a new path to provide safe access to the Gus Ryberg Arboretum and Amphitheatre. Include a pedestrian crossing as required
  13. Embankment stabilisation works north of the entry road including a retaining wall as required
  14. To protect the bank of the lake, establish dedicated fishing areas and stabilise areas that have been damaged
  15. Establish an informal loading zone near the northern section of the lake to create a drop off area. Stabilise lake edge as required
  16. Extend the picnic area with a shelter that has two picnic tables and a double barbecue
  17. New shelter with two picnic tables near the existing barbecues
  18. Undertake desilting works at Lake Treganowan as required to maintain lake health
  19. Upgrade the historic toilet facilities in-line with current health and safety standards and heritage requirements. Provide disability access from the EDRT at the Lakeside carpark
  20. Continue to advocate for the widening of Emerald Lake Road with a pedestrian path to the township
  21. Provide a CCTV camera at the boom gate entry to the park
  22. Create a unique and contemporary gateway at the park entrance that reflects the precinct character
  23. Provide event lighting from the Lakeside carpark to the Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre and to the Lakeside Visitor Centre
  24. New toilet block with Changing Places facility and unisex ambulant toilets
  25. Investigate installation of charging points for electric vehicles (Lakeside carpark) and e-bikes (close to the EDRT)

Cafe

Proposed changes to the Cafe zone
  • Remove the Emerald Lake Park cafe building and repurpose the site to a picnic and barbecue area with a large shelter
  • Remove existing toilet facilities and associated infrastructure. Landscape embankment remove fencing and access path. Return the site to open lawn
  • Create an exercise hub close to the paths to provide all abilities excess. Ensure it includes equipment suitable for all abilities
  • Create new garden area to prevent erosion where the slope meets the path
  • Retain Bandstand for small events and performances

Lake Nobelius

Proposed changes to the Lake Nobelius zone
  1. Remove existing toilet facilities and associated infrastructure
  2. Undertake repair and renewal works at the Gums and the Carl Stemp Amphitheatres with upgraded seating (including all abilities access where possible)
  3. Undertake ongoing desilting works at Lake Nobelius as required to maintain lake health
  4. Undertake repair and renewal works at the Bunurong Amphitheatre with upgraded seating (including all abilities access) a new accessible path and the addition of an arbour

Nobelius Heritage Park

Proposed changes to Nobelius Heritage Park
  1. Upgrade existing access Road and carpark
  2. More picnic tables near the bandstand area
  3. Strengthen the path connection between Emerald Lake Park into Nobelius Heritage Park with wayfinding signage
  4. New gateway feature signage at the entrances to Nobelius Heritage Park
  5. Provide an informal path connection with wayfinding signage from the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail to the packing shed
  6. Upgrade the exterior of Linton’s Cottage and include interpretive signage to explain its historical significance to the site. Investigate opportunities to improve the interior to meet future community needs
  7. Provide carpark lighting
  8. Investigate an upgrade to the museum toilets. Explore options for adding a third cubicle
  9. Provide power and a shelter over the bandstand and replace barrier to cater for events and performances
  10. Remove chicanes from the EDRT and replace with a removable bollard to align with regional trail standards
  11. Monitor drainage concerns on the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail between Princess Avenue and the road to the car park. Consider upgrading trail surface with an exposed aggregate concrete to match the existing gravel surface
  12. Consider opportunities for activation an increased visitation to Nobelius Heritage Park such as markets, performances and events
  13. Upgrade fence between rail embankment and main entrance
  14. New interpretive signage and maintain tree specimen display plates for park information, historical and educational purposes
  15. Replace wheel stops with post and rail fence
  16. Relocate wisteria away from the road with a new arbour for support
  17. Undertake regular maintenance on the existing water sensitive urban design (WSUD) swale to ensure it retains drainage functionality
  18. New connecting path with steps as required from the EDRT to the Emerald and District Museum

Play space and water play

Proposed Playspace Concept Plan

  1. Creek bed with water pumps in rocks
  2. Seating and viewing area
  3. Investigate opportunities to convert wading pool into infiltration garden bed to catch water play runoff. Garden bed fenced as a barrier between the playground and the lake
  4. Water sprays
  5. Water pump and seesaw water pump
  6. Water spray masts
  7. New shelter and picnic area
  8. Steps
  9. New toilet block with Changing Places facility, disabled cubicle and three ambulant cubicles
  10. Climbing pole forest
  11. Retain historic stone rubble picnic shelters
  12. Embankment tube slide
  13. Rope course
  14. Junior embankment slide
  15. Accessible carousel
  16. Sandpit with retaining seating edge
  17. Musical equipment
  18. Tree top cubby walk with tube slide
  19. Monkey bars and balance trail
  20. Double flying fox
  21. Opportunities to engage local artists in the development of the playground with sculpture and visual artwork signage
  22. Ensure all rocks and logs can be used as informal seating to create quiet spaces for all users
  23. Provide paths and accessible surfaces to ensure all play areas can be accessed by all