By Callum Ludwig
A planning application for the works at the Californian Redwood Forest was lodged with Yarra Ranges Council last month in anticipation of upcoming upgrades.
Parks Victoria is working with Melbourne Water and Yarra Ranges Council to upgrade the visitor facilities at popular visitor destination to help better manage the increased patronage to the spectacular spot.
Parks Victoria’s District Manager for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges Brendan Sullivan said they’re planning upgrades to help people connect with nature.
“The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park on Wurundjeri Country has become a really popular spot to visit over recent years. People love the stunning Californian Redwood trees,” he said.
“There will be additional car parking, an accessible public toilet, a safety gate and a wet-weather visitor shelter. We’ll also upgrade parts of the existing trail network to encourage visitors to stay on the track and help protect plants and wildlife.”
In April 2023, the Heritage Council Victoria determined that the Cement Creek Plantation in Warburton, including the Redwood Forest site, is of state heritage significance, which brings the process of obtaining heritage permits under their jurisdiction. Prior to that, the sit was already included in Yarra Ranges Council’s heritage overlay.
Permits from Yarra Ranges Council and Heritage Victoria are required before the works can be carried out, with Parks Victoria awaiting them in order to finalise the designs and decide upon a contractor to deliver them. It is anticipated that works will start in early 2024, subject to on-ground conditions and the assessments and approvals process.
As part of the application, extensive investigations were done to prepare for the project including;
A traffic and parking assessment, strategy briefs esigned for hydraulic, electrical and civil engineering aspects, bushfire and cultural heritage management plans, a site survey plan and design and biodiversity reports created.
The proposed visitor upgrades include upgrading the carpark from 80 to 125 spaces including six accessible car parks and two bus parking spaces, installing a public toilet with two 9000ml rainwater tanks beside, a weather shelter, barbecues, picnic tables and seating, a solar-pwered visitor safety gate at the entrance and interpretive and wayfinding signage.
Access to the Redwood Forest via the Cement Creek Road Bridge is still currently closed while Yarra Ranges Council upgrade the bridge, with the only access available a 16km round trip by bike or foot via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail.
