A new permanent fence will soon be constructed along Gillies Street and Carlton Street near the Ballarat Botanical Gardens South Gardens.
The new fence will replace the existing temporary fencing and will be constructed from wire and wooden posts, designed to be similar to the fence on the Wendouree Parade perimeter of the North Gardens.
The project delivers a key action in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan 2025-2045, which identifies fencing along Gillies Street to improve overall safety of assets for the south end of the gardens precinct by preventing vehicle access.
It will also act as a preventative measure for swans accessing the roadway.
Measuring approximately 240 metres, the fence will extend from the Ballarat Tramway Museum to the area near the Prisoner of War Memorial.
Heritage Victoria required the fence design to remain consistent with the existing fence that lines the frontage of the North Gardens.
Construction of the new fence will start later this month and is expected to be completed by early October, weather permitting. The temporary fence will remain in place until the new fence is complete.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the new fence would not only beautify the area, but also protect infrastructure within the South Gardens.
"This project strikes an important balance between improving safety, protecting our unique wildlife and enhancing the appearance of one of Ballarat's most treasured public spaces," she said.
"While no fence can completely prevent swans from accessing the roadway, our experience has shown that fencing helps reduce the likelihood of swans entering traffic and lowers the risk of incidents.
"Importantly, the project delivers a recommendation of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan and provides a long-term solution that is both practical and sensitive to the surrounding landscape."
Protecting Lake Wendouree black swans from traffic
The City of Ballarat values Lake Wendouree's swans, and protecting their health and wellbeing remains a priority.
Over many years, the City of Ballarat has implemented a range of measures to help manage swan movements and reduce the risk of interactions between wildlife and vehicles around the lake.
In addition to the new fencing, these measures include:
- Maintaining longer grass near the lake's edge to discourage swans from crossing roads in search of food. This can be more challenging during winter when grass growth slows.
- Installing multiple warning signs around Wendouree Parade to alert motorists to the presence of swans and other wildlife. These signs are visible to traffic travelling in both directions around the lake.
- Investigating speed limits around the lake. Based on traffic assessments and current road conditions, the existing speed limits have been deemed appropriate.
These measures help reduce the risk of swans being injured or killed by vehicles, but they cannot completely prevent this from occurring.
Motorists are reminded to remain vigilant when travelling around Lake Wendouree and to be aware that swans and other wildlife can enter roads unexpectedly.
