City of Casey adopts Wilson Botanic Park master plan

The City of Casey, situated in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, has endorsed the Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022, which sets the vision, objectives and priority projects for the park.

Wilson Botanic Park Berwick recently celebrated its 30th birthday and is one of City of Casey’s premier parks showcasing unique plant collections, fossils, and fauna, all presented in picturesque open space. The park offers a unique mix of recreational, wellbeing, and educational points of value and was awarded Park of the Year by Parks & Leisure Australia (VIC/TAS) in 2022.

The plan outlines investment that could be delivered over the next 20 years to see Wilson Botanic Park Berwick continue to realise its vision as a Botanic Park of excellence.

In September 2019, the City of Casey commenced developing this master plan to guide the future use, development and advocacy of Wilson Botanic Park Berwick, and to respond to current and future demand and community expectations for high quality, economically sustainable facilities.

The master plan guides the strategic direction to ensure that future investment and improvements to the park are coordinated, sustainable and fit-for-purpose.

City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff said the park plays an integral role in bringing the community together, supporting the community’s physical and mental health.

Duff advises “as the Casey population grows and changes, it is important that Wilson Botanic Park Berwick continues to provide high quality recreation and open space opportunities for the community. The park must effectively continue facilitating active lifestyles in Casey through facilities that are accessible, affordable and which embrace and support different cultures in our community.

“The development of the Wilson Botanic Park master plan was informed by extensive feedback received through various phases of community and stakeholder engagement, most recently when the plan was placed on public exhibition in July 2022. Through the public exhibition period, multiple submissions were received, with feedback reflecting general support for the master plan.”

Implementation of the master plan will provide the necessary direction for the park, with a specific focus on short to medium term investment of projects, which is estimated to cost approximately $39 million. While the master plan does not commit funding for delivery of projects, it will be used as an advocacy tool for seeking and securing funding to implement the park’s identified future improvements and development, including:

• a new education precinct and expanded education programs at the park

• improved infrastructure, including to the playground, lakeside and the lawn

•  new amenities, including barbeque pavilions, picnic tables, shelters, seating, bins, drinking fountains and toilets

• a new community pavilion and café at Anniversary Lake

•  expanding the botanic garden and tree collections at the park

•  expanding the main car park

• improving path connections to improve accessibility

View the adopted Wilson Botanic Park Master Plan 2022.