Have Your Say - Birchip Park and Civic Precinct Master Plan
An important
planning project for Birchip is underway to develop a comprehensive
Birchip Park and Civic Precinct Plan in close consultation with the Birchip
community.
Council will manage
the project and have engaged Mach2 and Workshop Architecture to work in
consultation with Council and the community as well as a Project Advisory Group.

What is the purpose of the Master Plan?
Review key
community and civic facilities, including the Shire Office, Senior Citizens
Building, Old Shamrock Hotel, Shire Hall and Birchip Park (excluding swimming
pool).
Identify
whether the current facilities are able to provide what the community wants and
needs into the future and the costs associated with bringing those facilities
up to standard.
Collate research and
community feedback to develop a plan for the future of the Birchip Park and
Civic Precinct, delivering preliminary plans, a feasibility study and business
case which would support future funding bids for development or improvements
required.
Project Advisory Group
The Project Advisory Group’s role in advising and overseeing
the Birchip Park and Civic Precinct Masterplan project is to:
- Provide a voice for the community of Birchip.
- Be a forum for more in-depth discussion of key issues,
concerns or solutions, and to provide recommendations to the Project Team on
behalf of the community.
- Provide an informed perspective from their group or network
and assist the Project Team in developing an understanding of relevant issues.
- Review and provide advice on reports and working documents
as the project progresses.
The Project Advisory Group consists of:
- Jak Goldsmith (Birchip Forum)
- Genevieve Clarke (Birchip
Forum)
- John Richmond (Birchip
Forum)
- Simone Christie (Birchip
Business and Learning Centre)
- De-Ann Ferrier (Birchip
Early Learning Centre)
- Gail Sharp (Birchip
Community Representative)
- Craig Kenny (Mach2)
- James Staughton (Workshop
Architecture)
Buloke Shire Council members include:
- Cr Daryl Warren (Chair)
- Darci Tierney –
Recreation and Facilities Project Officer (Project Manager)
- Trevor Rumbold – Capital
Projects Officer
- Amber Ricks – Manager
Facilities and Projects
How can
you get involved?
Members of
the community still have an opportunity to have their say:
Whole-of-Community Engagement Session:
On Wednesday 22 June 2022 Council held the Engagement Session at Birchip Public Hall. The session was facilitated by Craig Kenny of 'Mach 2' and Council's project team. Project information and supporting documentation was made available in hard copy on the night, and attendees were encouraged to fill out feedback forms after the session.
Topics discussed:
- Project background and information
- Who has been involved
- Feedback - What you've said
- Q&A and discussion of community priorities
Submit your questions:
A Frequently Asked Questions document will be created to answer the community’s questions.
Send your questions to Darci Tierney at buloke@buloke.vic.gov.au or PO Box 1, Wycheproof, Victoria 3527.
Completing the survey:
The online survey collected community responses until 9 June 2022. Consultants collate data to inform the business case, feasibility study and design. Written responses from the Engagement Session on 22 June will also be separately collated by the consultants.
Take a look at the the Draft Design
Workshop Consultation
Workshop Architecture developed four preliminary design options based on the site visit and review of the facilities, the deliberative engagement process, the community workshop held in late November 2021 and feedback from the community survey and correspondence received about the project from community members.
The four preliminary designs were presented to representatives from community groups who frequently use the facilities at workshops in March 2022. Attendees were asked to analyse the designs and determine their “must have’s”, “should have’s”, “could have’s” and “won’t have’s”.
How was the Draft Design informed?
Further background information:
For more
information contact Council’s Recreation and Facilities Project Officer Darci
Tierney at dtierney@buloke.vic.gov.au or 1300 520 520.