Cement Creek Redwood Forest facility upgrades

Project status

Updated timeline of delivery for the Cement Creek Redwoods project.

  • Parks Victoria has appointed Warrandale Industries to construct the new visitor facilities. Contractors are now on site, and works have commenced. During construction, some areas of the park will be temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety of our visitors, contractors and staff. For up-to-date information on access changes in the park, please refer to the Redwood Forest park page. 
  • Designs for works being delivered by Parks Victoria at the Cement Creek Redwood Forest can be viewed below or read more about them here.
  • Town planning and Heritage Victoria permits have been received and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan has been approved. 

 

The project timeline is subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, environmental assessments and adhering to town planning and cultural heritage assessment conditions. The timeline will be updated as the project progresses.

Last updated: May 2025


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The project

This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country. 

The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park has become an increasingly popular site for visitation over the last few years thanks to the enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood trees.

Visitors to the Yarra Ranges National Park will soon enjoy greater accessibility, new facilities and increased protection of the environment through the projects at the Redwood Forest.

Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and Yarra Ranges Council are working together to deliver improved visitor facilities to manage increased visitation at the site while ensuring the environment’s natural values are protected. These works will include:

Parks Victoria works:

  • Adding more car parking spaces
  • Constructing an accessible public toilet facility
  • Installing a visitor safety gate
  • Constructing a visitor shelter 
  • Formalising sections of the existing trail network

 

Melbourne Water works:

  • Construction of boardwalks, viewing platforms and fencing to support visitor accessibility and additional open space opportunities
  • Re-vegetation along the Cement Creek and the Yarra River to improve river health and provide habitat


Contact Melbourne Water for more information on these works. 

 

Yarra Ranges Council works: 

  • Upgrading the Cement Creek Road Bridge to increase the load limit (complete)
  • Re-surfacing of Cement Creek Road between the bridge and entrance to Redwood Forest (complete)


View the Yarra Ranges Council project page for more information. 

 

Environmental, Aboriginal cultural heritage and Heritage Victoria assessments and approvals will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered.  

 

 

Map of the proposed changes to the Cement Creek trails

Pictured above (updated 27 May 2025): Parks Victoria will deliver new and upgraded facilities including improved car parking, an accessible toilet facility, a visitor safety gate, shelter and the formalisation of sections of the existing trail network. After going out to tender, the final budget remaining has meant that in addition to the Priority A trails, we can also formalise Priority B and Priority C trails as part of this project. This means more opportunities for visitors to explore the Redwoods, and greater protection for the plants and wildlife in the area (click to enlarge). 


Project benefits

Visitors

The improvements delivered through this project will improve access for diverse visitors to experience the Redwood Forest, with a new accessible public toilet and wet weather shelter.

Environment

The project includes environmental protection works from both Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water to minimise the impacts of visitation to the site.

Works delivered by Parks Victoria will include formalising sections of the existing trail network, and closing some informal trails, which will reduce the site's exposure to foot traffic. This will help protect the forest understorey and replenish important habitat that provides a home for plants and wildlife.

Works delivered by Melbourne Water will include the construction of boardwalks, viewing platforms and fencing, as well as re-vegetation, along the Cement Creek and the Yarra River. These improvements will reduce the impacts of foot traffic, improve river health and provide and protect native habitat. 

Community 

The project involves adding more car parking at the site, which will reduce traffic impacts and safety issues on the road for the local community, and also support tourism opportunities in the area.

 

Project funding

Parks Victoria's portion of works is being made possible thanks to the following funding:

  • $2.3 million from the Victorian Government's Regional Tourism Investment Fund - Stimulus
  • An additional $300,000 from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Melbourne Water is also investing $400,000 to deliver its portion of works. This project will run concurrently with the project being delivered by Parks Victoria. 

 

Environment and cultural heritage management

A key objective of this project is to complete environmental protection works and to minimise future impacts of visitation. This will be delivered through formalising sections of the existing trail network, re-vegetating the creek and riverbed and closing some informal trails.

We are working with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to develop and implement a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the site, to ensure the cultural values of the site are protected. 


Who we're working with

 

Access changes

March  - September 2025: 
During construction, some areas of the park will be temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety of our visitors, contractors and staff. For up-to-date information on access changes in the park, please refer to the Redwood Forest park page on the Parks Victoria website.

 

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We’re also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate – and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it’s important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

 

Related information 

 

FAQs

Can I still visit the Redwoods? 
Yes, the Redwood Forest is still open for visitation. However, if you’re planning to visit, please check for any change in conditions that may affect your plans at the Yarra Ranges National Park.

How do I know where the construction is taking place?  
Information on the Cement Creek upgrades can be found on the Parks Victoria website. All areas that are currently under construction or going through upgrades have formal signage and relevant safety fences. 

Can I view a map of the proposed updates?  
Information on the upgrade can be found above. 

When will the upgrades be done?  
Based on our current timeline, upgrades are anticipated to be completed by late 2025. This is subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions. 

How will this affect the Redwoods?
It will provide greater visitor access, boosting the local economy and community. Melbourne Water are also delivering a project including re-vegetation along Cement Creek and Yarra River, which will aid the environment. Additionally, formalising the trails around the Redwoods will reduce foot traffic and help protect the forest. Assessments and approvals – including Aboriginal cultural assessments – are in place to protect cultural and environmental heritage within the extent of the project works in the area.  

Who is completing the works?
Parks Victoria has appointed Warrandale Industries to construct the new visitor facilities.

Can you undertake upgrades on a heritage site?
Parks Victoria has worked with the relevant stakeholders, and we have obtained Town Planning and Heritage Victoria permits. We have also provided a Cultural Heritage Management Plan that has been approved. We are actively working to ensure the protected area is managed as per the approved permits and management plans during the construction period.

What do these upgrades mean for me?
These upgrades mean that visitors to the Yarra Ranges National Park will soon enjoy greater accessibility, new facilities, and increased protection of the environment. We will be: 

  • Adding more car parking spaces
  • Constructing an accessible public toilet facility
  • Installing a visitor safety gate 
  • Constructing a visitor shelter
  • Formalising sections of the existing trail network 

Stakeholders, including Melbourne Water and Yarra Ranges Council will be: 

  • Constructing boardwalks, viewing platforms, and fencing to support visitor accessibility and additional open space opportunities
  • Aiding in the re-vegetation along the Cement Creek and Yarra River to improve river health and provide habitat
  • Upgrading the Cement Creek Road Bridge to increase the load limit (this has already been completed by the Yarra Ranges Council)
  • Re-surfacing of Cement Creek Road between the bridge and entrance to Redwood Forest (this has already been completed by the Yarra Ranges Council)

How much is being spent on these upgrades?
Parks Victoria's portion of works is being made possible thanks to the following funding:

  • $2.3 million from the Victorian Government's Regional Tourism Investment Fund - Stimulus
  • An additional $300,000 from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Melbourne Water is also investing $400,000 to deliver its portion of works. This project will run concurrently with the project being delivered by Parks Victoria.

What Aboriginal cultural heritage protection is being undertaken?
We worked with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to develop a Cultural Heritage Management Plan to ensure the cultural values of the site are protected. We will continue working as per their suggestions.

Why are you upgrading the Redwood Forest? 
The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park has become an increasingly popular site over recent years due to the enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees. Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water are improving visitor facilities to manage increased visitation at the site while ensuring the environment’s natural, cultural and historical values are protected. 

Will there be access restrictions to the Redwood Forest while the Parks Victoria upgrades are happening?
During construction, some areas of the park will be temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety of our visitors, contractors, and staff. Please be aware that there may be whole-of-site closures that are not forecasted or planned. This could be due to condition changes or site requirements. For up-to-date information on access changes in the park, please refer to the Redwood Forest park page on the Parks Victoria website

How can I stay up-to-date with project progress?
For more information about the project and to stay up to date with progress, subscribe to our community newsletter or email us at engage@park.vic.gov.au.

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