Herring Island Future Planning Project
Project status
July 2024
- Community consultation on the draft concept plan for Herring Island is now open.
- Available for view on the Engage Victoria website, this concept plan features key initiatives developed in consultation with local community and key stakeholders.
- The community is encouraged to share their feedback on the draft plan before consultation closes on Sunday 18 August 2024.
- A summary of the previous community consultation findings is also available on Engage Victoria.
Have your say on the Draft Concept Plan – consultation now open
We are now inviting community feedback on the draft concept plan for Herring Island. Feedback collected will help inform the development of the final plan, ensuring this unique island park continues to serve our community’s needs into the future.
View the draft plan on Engage Victoria and submit feedback via the online survey before consultation closes on Sunday 18 August.
The project
The project is being undertaken on Wurundjeri Country.
We are undertaking a planning process to guide the future use and management of Herring Island.
This process will shape the vision for the park and considers new experiences and improvements that will ensure the park’s longevity while meeting the needs of visitors. When a final plan is ready, it will be used to support budget proposals for future investment and help guide park management decisions.
Parks Victoria is engaging with community and stakeholders during the development of the plan to better understand their aspirations and requirements for a successful park experience.
Background
Herring Island is located in Burnley an inner eastern suburb of metropolitan Melbourne. Positioned within the Birrarung Yarra River four kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, the three hectare park is a unique offering providing a destination for river users and an oasis in an inner urban area.
The park offers picnic and informal play space, access to an existing hall for scheduled events, a modest network of trails that meander amongst the small native woodland and grassland vegetation, and to nine cultural and environmentally themed sculptures. These installations, created by both internationally renowned and local artists, are interwoven into the park landscape and are a striking feature for visitors.
Herring Island is an artificial island that was formed in 1928 by cutting a new path for the Birrarung Yarra River through an old basalt quarry. The island was leased for many years by the scout movement, who named it after their patron, Sir Edmund Herring. In 1994 Parks Victoria assumed management of the island, and with the help of community, turned it into a recreational park. Today access is by a Punt Service with a limited schedule that leaves from Como Landing, or via private water craft such as canoe and kayaks.
Above - An aerial view of Herring Island showing its location context.
Project benefits
Visitors
The plan seeks to explore new opportunities and improvements that support the visitor experience and management of the island.
Environment
Through the plan and continued conservation efforts, the island can continue to provide important habitat for native plants and wildlife and enhance the biodiversity.
Community
A plan will provide opportunities for the diverse and growing Melbourne community and surrounding areas to recreate, learn, socialise and enjoy nature in a unique river and urban setting. A community informed plan will ensure the future vision of the park reflects community aspirations.
Project funding
This planning project is part of the Activating the Lower Yarra River Project.
Environment and cultural heritage management
Parks Victoria is working closely with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in the development of the plan. As planning for this area progresses, we will continue to partner with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to ensure that connections to Country are recognised and integrated into the creation of the future park. Detailed environmental and cultural heritage assessments are not required at this stage of the project, however an understanding of cultural values will inform the planning process.
Who are we working with?
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Melbourne Water
City of Yarra
City of Stonnington
Special interest groups including Friends of Herring Island
Stay updated
Parks Victoria will soon announce ways in which the community can participate in the future planning for Herring Island. To be kept informed about the project, register to receive updates or contact the project team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call on 13 1963.
Related information
Learn more about Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
View the Engage Victoria project page
FAQs
What is the project?
Parks Victoria is undertaking a planning process to guide the future use and management of Herring Island. This process will shape the vision for the park and considers new experiences and improvements that will ensure the park’s longevity while meeting the needs of visitors. When a final plan is ready, it will be used to support budget proposals for future investment and help guide park management decisions.
Why is the planning process needed?
Herring Island has experienced an increase in the diversity of visitors seeking to access the site in recent years. The planning process being undertaken seeks to understand the barriers that need to be addressed and identify opportunities to improve the diversity of activities and use of the island. The Herring Island Management Plan (1991) is 31 years old and requires a new concept plan to inform and expand on its future intent. This is not a full review of the Management Plan or detailed planning for on-ground works.
What is the scope of the project?
The plan focuses on the land components of the 3.0-hectare island that falls within the park area boundary managed by Parks Victoria. While it does consider access, it does not consider the adjacent waterways or land beyond the island.
How will stakeholders and community be involved?
During the early consultation stage, key stakeholders from relevant local government and other government agencies, community groups and commercial interests provided input through workshops and meetings. They provided input about the current uses and challenges, future possibilities, and ideas for the park. Community also had the opportunity to provide input through an online survey and community pop up during August 2023.
The community is now asked to provide feedback on the draft concept plan for Herring Island. This feedback will help inform the final plan for the island. Consultation on the draft plan closes 18 August 2024.
When will the plan be implemented?
The plan sets out the vision for the park and considers new experiences and improvements that will ensure the park’s longevity while meeting the needs of visitors. When a final plan is ready, it will be used to support budget proposals for future investment and help guide park management decisions.
How can I contribute to the project and stay updated on the progress of this project?
You can subscribe to receive updates here. If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 19 63 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.