An all-abilities sensory garden will be created at Serendip Sanctuary following a sponsorship by CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus, and Volvo Bus Australia.

The companies have provided $45,000 towards the project which will be delivered by Parks Victoria at this special place on Wadawurrung Country.

The partnership was celebrated in September with a gathering of stakeholders and project partners on the site of the proposed garden.

Above (L-R): Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation General Manager Greg Robinson, Parks Victoria District Manager Stuart Lardner, Member for Lara Ella George, CMV Group's Jess Brzezicki, CDC Victoria CEO Jeff Wilson, and CMV Group's Nick Curran at Serendip Sanctuary announcing the new sensory garden.

Sensory gardens are specifically designed to stimulate sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. Through their location, plantings and design, these places can provide visitors with a deeper immersion in nature. Sensory gardens can also be calming environments, peaceful spots where quiet thoughts emerge and memories return.

With its flat, wide tracks and quiet bushland setting, Serendip Sanctuary offers an ideal setting. Because of these features, it’s frequently visited by disability services and community groups. Parks Victoria will work with these organisations to co-design and construct the garden. 

The sensory garden was a project identified by the community during consultation on a master plan for Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs Regional Park. 

Parks Victoria is currently planning how other ideas in the master plan will be delivered and is working with a local stakeholder reference group on priorities. The Victorian Government has committed $11 million to help bring the master plan to life.  

Plans for the sensory garden are now underway, with designs expected to be completed early next year. 

“We’re thrilled with this partnership and the funding CDC Victoria has provided to get the ball rolling on this sensory garden,” says Stuart Lardner, District Manager – Parks Victoria.

“It’s a project that will really help visitors connect with Country here on the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung.”

“It’s also the start of a series of projects we’ll see in the future as we plan upgrades here at Serendip Sanctuary and also at You Yangs Regional Park.”

The sensory garden partnership announcement follows creation of a dementia-friendly sensory trail at Woowookarung Regional Park in Ballarat. That award-winning trail was co-designed with people living with dementia and their carers, Ballarat community health groups, the Department of Health, and Dementia Australia. CDC Victoria, a bus and coach lines company, also provided a three-year sponsorship of that trail.

Sensory gardens are highlighting the role that parks can play to support healthy communities while also protecting and celebrating natural and cultural values. You can find out more about these gardens – and the benefits of being in nature – on our website.

Information about projects at the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary is available at: www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects