We acknowledge that the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung are the original custodians of the land known as Jacksons Creek biik wurrdha Regional Parklands, including the Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung’s connection to the biik wurrdha Cultural Landscape and recognise that it is valued in its entirety for the spiritual, archaeological, historical, ecological and living connections that it provides to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

Background

Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve is a 32-hectare park located on Racecourse Road, Sunbury. It was once part of the historic Emu Bottom Homestead lands. The reserve, which includes a popular dog off leash area, is well loved by locals and visitors.

For over 20 years the Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve have been working with Hume City Council, and the Narrap team (part of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation), to enhance the natural environment and habitat of the reserve. The Friends group have planted over 28,000 trees and shrubs.

An aerial photograph of the area in 1997 and now highlights the amount of re-vegetation that has taken place

The Master Plan

We need a Master Plan that aligns with the Jacksons Creek biik wurrdha Regional Parklands Plan (the Plan). The Plan, developed in 2022 by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in collaboration with the community and Council, sets out a vision, principles and actions for the Parklands establishment and management:

  • Retains existing valued activity nodes within the parklands and enhances their complementary visitor experiences
  • Creates walking loops for recreation and appreciation of nature
  • Protect existing biodiversity values including habitat for Growling Grass Frogs, a nationally vulnerable species
  • Proposes a walking and cycling network including a bridge across Jacksons Creek biik wurrdha to the north of the reserve
  • Proposes seating every 400m along the primary trail network.

The development of a new Emu Bottom Wetlands Master Plan will identify how we can best protect the cultural heritage, biodiversity and land management of the reserve, whilst enhancing the wetlands as a visitor destination.

The measures we are taking to ensure the ongoing care of this space will include:

  • Enhancing and protecting the platypus habitat in Jacksons Creek
  • Introducing new vegetation to encourage natural flora and fauna growth
  • Reducing the dog off leash area from 25 hectares to about 2.5 hectares to reflect the environmental and cultural sensitivity of the site
  • Developing shared paths, improving accessibility and connectivity with the Regional Parklands
  • Enlarging the car park.

Your feedback is helping us develop a plan that will keep our beautiful reserve protected for generations to come. People could give input until Monday 29 May 2023 using these methods:

attending an information session on Saturday 6 May 9.00 - 11.00am in the Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve carpark, Racecourse Rd, Sunbury
emailing the City Design team
calling the City Design team on 9205 2200
posting to Hume City Council, PO Box 119, Dallas, VIC 3047