More opportunities for walking, horse riding and cycling will be the key features in restoring the Drysdale landfill site.
Works will begin in 2022-23 and be progressively completed as landfill operations at the site end.
The Drysdale Landfill Post Closure Landscape Plan, which was adopted by the City of Greater Geelong on February 22, outlines how the site will be rejuvenated.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said the plan was modified to adopt popular features from a range of potential options presented to the community last year.
“The three options helped generate some great feedback, and it showed there was community support for different elements of each overarching theme,” he said.
“The adopted Landscape Plan has a strong environmental focus, while providing opportunities for a variety of activities, such as cycling, dog walking and horse riding.”
More than 50 survey submissions were received during the consultation in September and October 2021, which found:
– A desire to improve the local environment and community access
– Support for continued creek restoration works; and
– Support for multiple recreation uses, such as walking, cycling and equestrian paths, as well as an off-lead dog area.
Council committed to consult the community if any changes were proposed to the management of the storm water dam and discharge management plans.
External funding opportunities will be sought to support the project, which has an estimated net cost of $1.21 million.
Bellarine councillor Jim Mason, chair of the Environment portfolio, said the Landscape Plan would create significant natural habitats and improve stormwater quality, encouraging more birdlife and wildlife.
“Gradual improvements will result from the work to restore the natural topography and indigenous vegetation of the site,” Cr Mason said.
“The site will be transformed through the rehabilitation of multiple ponds, retention of an open lake, and revegetation of grassy woodland areas to create a new parkland.
“The design will include access for cycling, walking, horse riding and running the dog off lead – room for all.”
Drysdale landfill is the primary waste disposal facility in the municipality and has operated since 1983 and receives about 100,000 tonnes of waste and 55,000 visitors each year.
The site has a range of current and former land uses that include active landfill cells, previously rehabilitated landfill cells, a resource recovery centre, stormwater and leachate dams, and a disused quarry.
