By Mikayla van Loon
As a prominent recreational area in the Yarra Ranges, Lillydale Lake has millions of dollars proposed for upgrades in the draft master plan.
While sought to be improved over a 15 year period, items on the agenda include upgrading the boat ramp and jetty access, updating the toilet block facilities, improving pathway connections to Box Hill Institute and Kinley Estate, as well as including historical and educational signage.
At the Wednesday 26 April council meeting, this was voted to be put out for public consultation in May for community feedback to be considered and addressed at a later time.
Councillor Sophie Todorov said given the expected growth of the Lilydale area, having appropriate facilities available to people is essential.
“It is a huge local community space that is much loved. It’s also a regional destination for outdoor leisure and social recreation activities,” she said.
“In addition to that, it is close to the Lilydale major activity centre with over one million visits per year and as we all know with a Kinley development occurring that we have a projected 43.5 per cent population growth by the year 2041.
“So again, just demonstrating that greater need to have a well serviced public open space and facilities for that growth.”
The total estimated cost of improvements to each of the five designated precincts is $6.7 million, with input from both the council and proposed grants from State and Federal governments.
Other features and future plans for the Lake include a bike circuit, upgrading barbecue areas, renewing play spaces at the end of life and upgrading exercise equipment.
“It also pays particular attention to accessibility as well as all abilities and having inclusions such as shelters and picnic areas able to accommodate people with disabilities,” Cr Todorov said.
As one of the original council members when Lillydale Lake was approved to be built, Cr Len Cox seconded the motion to put the draft plan out for consultation and was pleased to see improvements on the table.
“This is the most popular recreational area in the municipality by a country mile. It’s absolutely wonderful. On a weekend, which is reasonably decent weather, you’ll find the places packed full,” he said.
“There is an army of people who walk around it every morning and every afternoon, and it is just immensely popular.”
Cr Tim Heenan said knowing the uptake in use throughout the pandemic, it was great to see the master plan on the agenda to only make it more accessible and useful for people.
“The opportunities for doing development for families, for track movement, for picnic tables, for links to the lake on the other fringes of the lake,” he said.
“Certainly we’ve had a huge conglomeration of people at the main area of the lake but it’s been great to now see this master plan showing there possibly will be more opportunities all around the lake for people to engage with the water itself and the surrounding bushland areas.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the draft master plan to be put to the community from May to June.
“It’s now over to the community groups and our residents to have their say and what priorities they feel are important for this plan and I’m looking forward to seeing what the feedback is from the community on that,” Cr Todorov said.
