Olinda Precinct Project Stage Two

Project status

Timeline image of the Olinda Stage 2 project, as at April 2024. Designs are being developed for precinct facilities, pathways and parking, and expect to be finalised in late 2024. Tender process from late 2024 - early 2025. Construction expected to start in mid 2025.

  • Landscape designs for the precinct’s visitor facilities, car park and access improvements have been developed. View them below or read more here.  
  • Parks Victoria has appointed an engineer who has completed the soil strength testing, located the underground services and is analysing traffic flow of the carpark. This information is being used to further develop the designs. These designs and details are required for the planning permit application, which is also underway.
  • Expressions of Interest have been sought for an operator to deliver a contemporary food and beverage offering at the precinct. A preferred proponent has been identified through this process and lease negotiations are underway, with an outcome to be shared soon.

The project timeline is subject to environmental and cultural heritage assessments, and on-ground and construction industry conditions.

Last updated: July 2024


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The project

This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country. 

The former Olinda Golf Course is located in the Dandenong Ranges, between the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and R. J. Hamer Arboretum, 50 kilometres east of Melbourne.

The Olinda Precinct Plan was developed in consultation with the community with the aim of transforming the site into a 34-hectare open-space site for recreation.

We’re now delivering on the Olinda Precinct Plan to provide more opportunities for the community to connect with nature and make the most of this fantastic location.

Stage two will deliver further improvements to the site and visitor experience:

Carpark and access improvements 
We will upgrade the car parking areas, drainage, and access pathways connecting the site to the Olinda township to improve accessibility.
 
Supporting a new food and beverage offering to open on site
In the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan community told us they would like to have a food and beverage offering at the Olinda Precinct. We are exploring opportunities for a new operator to use the footprint of the former Golf Clubhouse and Cafe to provide a new food and beverage offering at the precinct.

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

 

Pictured above: A section of the former Olinda Golf Course.

 

Project update: May 2023

Landscape designs for the precinct’s upgraded visitor facilities, car park and access improvements have been developed. Key design items include:

  • Improved car parking, to maximise parking spaces, while working sensitively around tree protection zones to preserve the existing native trees in the precinct.
  • A kiss-and-go drop off area, to streamline traffic during training and matches. 
  • A new shelter overlooking the Olinda Green, which will look to re-use bricks from the existing fireplace shelter. This is something many community members expressed they would like to see in the new design. 
  • Additional facilities for a great day out in the park, which may include new toilets, barbecues, seating and drinking fountains.
  • Improved pathways and connections, making it easier for people to safely move throughout the precinct. 
     

The design features are subject to ongoing review of project costs in the current market conditions, on-ground and construction industry conditions, and environmental and cultural heritage assessments. The designs may change as the project progresses. 

Design renders of the planned upgrades and an overall Master Plan of the Stage 2 works are included below:

 

Design render of Olinda Stage 2 project, including a shelter, seating and barbecues overlooking a grassed area, framed by tall trees.

Pictured above: A design render showing plans for the sheltered picnic area overlooking the Olinda Green. 

 

Design render of Olinda Stage 2 project, featuring a new car parking area surrounded by tall trees.

Pictured above: Improvements to the car park will maximise spaces, and a kiss-and-go drop off zone will be created to streamline traffic during training and matches. 

 

Design render of Olinda Stage 2 project, featuring a new car parking area surrounded by tall trees.

Pictured above: The new car park will work sensitively around tree protection zones to preserve native trees in the precinct. 

 

A map image of the Olinda Precinct, featuring illustrations outlining where new facilities will go.

Pictured above: A birds-eye view of the planned Olinda Precinct Stage 2 works.

 

Project benefits

Visitors

Visitors of all ages and abilities will have more opportunities to explore the stunning surrounding parklands, connect with nature, and enjoy time in the park with friends and family. 

Environment

Upgrades being delivered at the Olinda Precinct will formalise pathways and recreation spaces to protect and preserve existing native vegetation, while providing visitors with the opportunity to explore and appreciate the stunning surrounding parklands of the Dandenong Ranges.

Community 

Three phases of community consultation were undertaken during the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan and we’re now delivering on what we heard from the community through this process.

The new facilities at the Olinda Precinct aim to provide a place for people of all ages and abilities to meet, play, picnic and connect to the natural surroundings in beautiful Olinda.


Project funding

The Victorian Government has invested $3.4 million to deliver the stage two works at the Olinda Precinct. 

 

Environment and cultural heritage management

Parks Victoria have an approved Cultural Heritage Contingency Plan issued via our Managing Country Together Team, to ensure that any Aboriginal cultural heritage is managed carefully and appropriately if discovered during works.


Who are we working with?

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action 
Yarra Ranges Council 

 

Access changes

There are currently no access changes to the Olinda Precinct in relation to this project. We’ll update this page and on-site signage to inform visitors of any access changes that may come into effect. 

Before visiting any park you should check the relevant park page for any Change of Conditions. 

 

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.

 

Staying updated

For updates on this project and other news from the area, subscribe here.

 

Related information 

 

FAQs

What works are being completed as part of the Olinda Precinct Stage 2 upgrades? 

We will make upgrades to the carparking areas, drainage, and access pathways connecting the site to the Olinda township and recreation trails to improve accessibility. 

We are also exploring opportunities for a new operator to use the footprint of the former Golf Clubhouse and Cafe to provide a new food and beverage offering at the precinct.  

Why are you making these upgrades? 

In 2016 we engaged the community in the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan. As part of this process, we heard the community’s ideas and suggestions on how we can uplift this space to transform the former Olinda Golf Course into a 34-hectare open-space site for recreation.

In response to this feedback, we’re now delivering on the Olinda Precinct Plan to provide people of all ages and abilities with more opportunities to get active in nature and make the most of this fantastic location.

What other works are happening as part of the implementation of the Olinda Precinct Plan?

There are a number of exciting works completed and planned to uplift the Olinda Precinct, including:

  • Olinda Precinct Stage 1: Stage one works have provided more opportunities for visitors to get active in nature, with the completion of the Olinda Green, a nature-based playscape, and new and upgraded netball and cricket facilities. Find out more about these works.
  • Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda 
    Phillip Johnson’s re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show award-winning ‘Australian Garden’ exhibit is complete and now open at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. The new garden is 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation for native plants and wildlife. Find out more. 

How can I stay up-to-date with project progress? 

You can subscribe for updates on the Olinda Precinct project. 

Who can I contact for more information?  

If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 1963 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.   

 

 

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