Vanessa Court Reserve redevelopment

Construction will soon be commencing on the redevelopment of Vanessa Court Reserve.

The redevelopment will include the following key features:
• picnic table setting and shelter structure
• concrete and granitic sand circuit path with bench seating
• large open grass space with grass play mound
• nature-based play space
• native planting and exotic planting
• drinking fountain.

Construction timeframes and impacts

Construction is due to commence in August and will take approximately 10-12 weeks, subject to weather conditions. We apologise for any inconvenience during the works and will minimise disruption wherever possible, while maintaining a safe work site. Council expects that the reserve will be open to enjoy in November 2022.

Further information

For further enquiries please contact Nick Newham, Senior Landscape Architect via:

Phone: 1300 653 356 Email: info@kingston.vic.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 1000 Mentone 3194

What we heard

Council recently wrote to residents nearby Vanessa Court Reserve to request input on the concept plan for the upcoming redevelopment of the reserve. Thank you to all who provided feedback. Your input helped us to develop the final concept plan (which you can view in the Document Library to the right).

Resident concerns regarding security, privacy and ideas on gardens for wildlife were apparent through the consultation and have been addressed in the final design:

• Consider proximity of the picnic shelter to surrounding resident properties – the shelter has been moved so that it is more visible from the street and a minimum of 11m from each boundary

• Consider screening trees along boundaries and removal of lawn area along boundaries – the path layout has been adjusted to remove the need for lawn areas beside boundary fences and additional tree planting will be added along each boundary

• Consider natives, such as Hakea, Lily Pilli, Acacias, to attract birds and wildlife – natives will feature strongly in the planting design.

Prior to the redevelopment, the seven existing cypress trees which are interfering with neighbouring properties on the south of the reserve will be removed (see plan in the Document Library to the right). Previously we had advised these trees would be removed in June, however, this was delayed due to inclement weather. These trees are now scheduled for removal on Monday 26 July.

A total of 32 new trees will be planted, which is more than Council’s direction of planting three trees for each one removed.

Key timeframes

During the tree removal works on Monday 26 July, the reserve will be closed to the community for the day for safety reasons. We apologise for any inconvenience during the works and will minimise disruption wherever possible while maintaining a safe work site.

Construction for the remaining elements of the redevelopment of the reserve is due to commence before the end of 2021.

Further information

For further enquiries relating to trees, please contact Toby Gilbert, Tree Operations Coordinator. For enquiries relating to the redevelopment, please do not hesitate to contact Nick Newham, Senior Landscape Architect.

Phone: 1300 653 356
Email: info@kingston.vic.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 1000 Mentone 3194