All members of the Corangamite community are encouraged to have their say on one of the Shire's crown jewels: The Camperdown Arboretum.
Local residents and those who come to Camperdown to enjoy the precinct are being invited to give feedback on the Draft Masterplan for the Camperdown Arboretum.
The Draft Masterplan considers the 5.6 ha in the north east corner of the arboretum, excluding the neighbouring Botanic Gardens, caravan park and grazing land, with consideration to further stages beyond the current area in the future.
The arboretum borders the famous Camperdown Botanic Gardens and both are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
The masterplan will provide a vision for the long-term development of the 5.6 ha north-east area of the gardens.
It contains a number of features including:
- a large collection of rare trees and some critically endangered in the wild
- consideration of designs by renowned 19th Century landscape architect William Guilfoyle, succession planting, specimens selected by Western District collector Bill Funk, the Camperdown Botanic Garden Trust collection, and seasonal ornamentals
- a small grove of critically endangered Wollemia nobilis
- a forest of oaks – Oak Acre – likely the largest public collection of Quercus in Australia, possibly the Southern Hemisphere
- the oak lawn overlooks the oak forest which is a natural amphitheatre with protected distant views
- a picnic pavilion orientated to the views
- meandering paths with glimpses to water features
- a diverse collection of trees from around the world, with candidates for National Collections of Quercus (oaks) and Acers (maples)
Mayor Kate Makin said Council will consider all submissions prior to final adoption.
"A huge amount of research and study has gone into this draft to protect the heritage value of the arboretum and make it an amazing experience in all seasons – from spring and summer blooms to autumn leaves, and different shapes and textures in winter.
"It has considered environmental and climate change in the selection of plant species and replacement of trees when they reach the end of their natural lifespans.
"The aim is to improve our facilities so our community can get out and enjoy a healthy lifestyle in nature and to create new tourism opportunities for our local economy."
Cr Makin said the draft was developed following extensive consultation with the community and various agencies.
Cr Nick Cole has a connection to the arboretum.
"My great-great grandmother, Isabella Taylor, used to walk across from Renny Hill* to water the plants, carrying buckets in a heavy Victorian era dress.
"In those days they wouldn't have had the most comfortable shoes to walk in either.
"They were friends with Guilfoyle and he used to come and stay with them."
Cr Cole said the Corangamite district was lucky to have the arboretum.
"A lot of people in a small town like Camperdown wouldn't have access to anything like that.
"Succession planning is a very, very important thing.
"We have some extraordinary, big, old trees up there − absolutely magnificent − and they will eventually unfortunately die. That's what happens.
"I would like to see new ones being put in now.
"The Bill Funk tree collection will be an amazing feature.
"It's enlarging the area up there into a more unique relaxation area.
"I encourage everyone to go up there and have a look because it is an amazing place.
"I think this plan, going ahead, will make it a more extraordinary, amazing place for Camperdown."
Community members can view the plan and fill in a survey at conversations.corangamite.vic.gov.au/arboretum-masterplan
