Making the most of the Merri

The city of Warrnambool is flanked by two great rivers, the Hopkins and the Merri.

The Merri River offers enormous potential as a major open space corridor for Warrnambool.

The long-term community plan, Warrnambool 2040, and Warrnambool City Council's sustainability plan, Green Warrnambool, identify a goal for the Merri River corridor to become a "connected series of parklands that support active transport, nature-based recreation and wildlife movement" by 2040.

The precinct to the south of the Merri River is an underdeveloped connection between future trails north of the Merri and the current Russell’s Creek Walking Trail.

In recognition of the future value of this space, Council is developing a south of Merri Open Space Precinct Plan to set the direction for how this strategically important open space corridor should develop in the future.

The map to the right and the video below show the locations of the parklands and reserves.

Council wants to know what you think of the possibilities around the south of the Merri River precinct and how we could make the corridor into a series of parklands that all people can access and enjoy.

Based on what we have heard previously from the community, some of the identified issues, opportunities and constraints identified for the precinct include:

Key issues of the precinct:

Gaps in connectivity between parklands in the Merri River corridor

Limited access to neighbourhood level open spaces and connected walking paths in west Warrnambool

A history of degradation of the Merri River and and associated wetlands

Strong community interest in more environmental initiatives, including increasing planting of native species

Lack of ‘loop trails’ within Warrnambool to support recreation

Limited ‘access to nature’ beyond the coastal environment

Key opportunities of the precinct:

Improve connections between parklands along the river and between current and future off road trails

Creation of loop trails to encourage walking and cycling and create interest

Development of Woodend Road Reserve as a Neighbourhood  Reserve with an environment and passive recreation focus

Potential to restore the riverside wetland at Woodend Rd Reserve, creating a pleasant walking environment and improving water quality

Strong community interest in the Merri River

Better recognition of the cultural values of the precinct

Provide opportunities for residents in north and west Warrnambool to have access to nature

Constraints of the precinct

Flood-prone land

Private land extends to the river in places

If you have further questions please send an email to jemeny [at] warrnambool [dot] vic [dot] gov [dot] au (subject: South%20of%20the%20Merri%20project) (South of the Merri Project).

To have your say complete the survey below. The survey will close on October 14, 2019.