Have your say on the future of open spaces in Baw Baw Shire

Published on 01 September 2025

Community feedback is being sought on a draft Open Space Strategy to guide future planning, enhancement and management of public open spaces across Baw Baw Shire over the next 10 years.

A five-week consultation period is now open and closing on Friday 3 October 2025.

Open spaces are free and accessible to the community – often featuring amenities depending on their primary function and can be used for recreational and outdoor enjoyment purposes.

The draft strategy adopts a place-based approach to open spaces with a strong focus on improving liveability, protecting natural systems, and fostering inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.

It includes a clear and actionable 10-year plan to guide future investment, inform policy development and support the coordinated delivery of projects.

In the context of strong population growth and ongoing urban expansion, this strategy aims to ensure all residents have access to high-quality, sustainable, and well-connected open spaces that support community wellbeing, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Mayor Cr Danny Goss is encouraging the community to get involved and help shape the future of open spaces together.

“Baw Baw Shire is home to some of the most unique and stunning open spaces and natural landscapes in Victora. Our open spaces are central to our way of life and include everything from conservation reserves and large garden-style parks to playgrounds, walking tracks and mixed used sporting reserves,” said Cr Goss.

“As always, our goal is to develop a strategy that is community-informed, inclusive, and grounded in local knowledge and aspirations. We welcome feedback from everyone to ensure a well-rounded approach to this important strategy.”

The first phase of extensive community consultation was held in late 2023 and sought to understand community preferences, aspirations and values relating to open spaces and how they are managed. That feedback was used to develop a draft strategy and 10-year action plan which intends to improve service provision.

Now, this second phase of community consultation, endorsed at the 27 August 2025 Council meeting, aims to hear back from the community to see if the proposal aligns with community expectations and aspirations for open spaces into the future.

How to get involved

A five-week consultation period is now open, closing on Friday 3 October 2025.

Online

A short survey is available for community input; the link can be found at Baw Baw Connect

In person

A series of pop-up sessions will be held throughout September alongside popular community events so attendees can learn more about the project and provide feedback:

• Saturday 6 September
  10am - 12pm at the Trafalgar Farmers Market
• Wednesday 10 September
  11am - 11:30am at the Longwarry Kindergarten Pop Up Playgroup
  4 Ford Place in Longwarry
• Thursday 18 September
  11am - 11:30am at the Playgroup venue on George Street in Warragul
• Saturday 20 September
  10am - 12pm at the Drouin Craft and Produce Market at Civic Park
  10am - 12pm at the Warragul Farmers Market at Logan Park
• Saturday 27 September
  10am - 12pm at the Yarragon Craft and Produce Market

A hard copy of the survey can also be found at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Drouin and Warragul.

More information

For more information about this project and to provide your feedback, please visit Council’s online engagement platform Baw Baw Connect

Feedback gathered from this second phase of community consultation will inform a final Open Space Strategy which will be presented to Council for adoption in the future.