Ruffey Lake Park lake dredging?

I too have noticed this.

It's all part of the grand plan for the Park and restoration of the waterways, Melbourne Water have responsibility for the lake and creek. Item 59 on the list below.

The plan dates back to 2005 but clearly they working through all the proposals.

The 100 items finalised are:
1. Asphalt the remaining sections of the creek circuit path including the sections within The Boulevarde activity area and a new section of path near the Victoria Street activity area.
2. Asphalt the entire Hill Tops circuit and the links to the street network:
3. Install TGSIs (Tactile Ground Surface Indicators) where steps join a path.
4. Install trail safety signs at major trail usage points within the park
5. Provide an additional 10 seats within Ruffey Lake Park, in the shade where possible, along the path network and in the Victoria Street and Boulevarde
recreation areas with a sealed base and provide a sealed base under existing seats along paths.
6. Provide two additional drinking fountains at The Boulevarde and Victoria Street activity areas, with one at each location being accessible for people in
wheelchairs/children and one with a dog drinking bowl.
7. Provide drinking fountains along the path network where there is existing suitable water supply.
8. Provide a flying fox and climbing wall in the Victoria Street Playground.
9. Carry out works to rectify the drainage and path access issues within the Victoria
Street playground.
10. Provide a timber barrier with associated vegetation downhill of the Victoria Street playground.
11. Replace the two original picnic shelters at the Victoria Street activity area with new ones similar in design to the new shelter north of the playground and provide new seating.
12. Provide new toilets in the Victoria Street recreation area, including a unisex accessible toilet.
13. Develop an educational indigenous garden near the car park.
14. Provide new landscaping areas and canopy trees.
15. Provide change of level warnings within Victoria Street area
16. Develop a new 50 space car park within the Victoria Street activity area.
17. Provide two bike racks.
18. Replace existing public toilet in The Boulevarde area, including a unisex accessible toilet.
19. Provide shade sails over the exposed section of The Boulevarde Playground.
20. Asphalt the paths within The Boulevarde activity area, including to the slide mound.
21. Provide change of level warnings within The Boulevarde area.
22. Ensure a least one picnic table provided is wheelchair accessible.
23. Provide two bike racks.
24. Investigate the provision of interpretive information about the indigenous trees and grasses within The Boulevarde activity area.
25. Provide some fencing to protect sensitive areas of indigenous vegetation within The Boulevarde recreation area.
26. Redevelop the Church Road North minor recreation area including realigning the car park, replacing the speed humps, signage, access paths and provision of a designated accessible car parking bay.
27. Carry out a minor upgrade of the recreation facilities at Church Rd north by providing a new shelter and small playspace.
28. Provide video surveillance of the Church Road North public toilet.
29. Provide one additional seat at Church Road South.
30. Carry out improvements to the existing car park and Church Road edge to improve car parking at the Church Road South recreation area using something similar to bluestone.
31. Improve the path access to The Boulevarde Hill BBQ and lookout area.
32. Provide two picnic tables and two seats at The Boulevarde Hill area and investigate the provision of a small picnic
33. Provide permanent lighting only in 24 hour car parks ie. Victoria Street and motion activated lighting from the major picnic shelters, to the toilet block and
then the car park in The Boulevarde and Church Road North BBQ/picnic areas.
34. Support the use of security cameras within Ruffey Lake Park within major trouble spots.
35. Support the retention and continued use of Magic Mountain for BMX and off road
cycling.
36. Carry out minor works to make Magic Mountain more usable for BMX riding and provide a safer interface with the two nearby asphalt paths.
37. Provide signage to advise cyclists to stay on the paths except for Magic Mountain.
38. Not support the development of a formal dog activity area within Ruffey Lake Park.
Links to other community/open space facilities
39. Support the completion of the Ruffey Creek Linear Park shared trail to provide
a link between Ruffey Lake Park and Finns Reserve and the Main Yarra Trail.
40. Install either pedestrian operated signals or signals at the entrance of the Victoria Street car park, including provision for bus parking.
41. Refer the asphalting of the existing gravel car park in Rieschiecks Reserve between Schramms Cottage and the scout hall to the Rieschiecks Reserve Management.
42. Provide additional signage along the link between Schramms Reserve and Ruffey Lake Park and at George Street.
43. Investigate the provision of a pedestrian/cycle refuge on George Street to gain access into Ruffey Lake Park.
44. Provide additional signage along the link between Saxon Street Reserve and Ruffey Lake Park and at George Street.
Dog management
45. Dogs be prohibited from within the playgrounds areas in Ruffey Lake Park
and provide additional seating around the perimeter of the playground areas.
46. Dogs continue to be prohibited from the Bonview wetland area, fenced remnant
vegetation areas and fenced revegetation areas and ensure secure fencing of these
areas.
47. Dog controls of off-lead on west side and south-east corner and on-lead in north-east corner of the park and The Boulevarde and Boulevarde Hill recreation activity areas be implemented for Ruffey Lake Park.
48. An amendment to the Council Order be prepared and implemented according to the recommended dog controls for Ruffey Lake Park
49. Continue a cooperative approach between FOMDAC and Council to implement dog controls and general responsible dog management within Ruffey Lake Park.
50. Support the proposed installation of six additional dog litter bins within Ruffey Lake Park.
51. Support the emptying of dog litter bins more frequently in summer and after weekends.
52. Support continued community education regarding dog owners not picking up their dog’s faeces or not carrying a suitable device to collect dog faeces within Ruffey Lake Park.
Lake, waterways and wetlands management
53. Amend the Council Order to prohibit unauthorised people from entering Ruffey Lake.
54. Continue discussions with Melbourne Water and FOMDAC regarding options
for addressing the three issues raised in relation to dogs swimming in Ruffey Lake.
55. Install signs at the main park entrances (including car parks) and around the lake edge to advise that people are not allowed to swim in the lake.
56. Carry out additional fencing and landscaping of the lake edge to complete erosion control works.
57. Provide two viewing platforms around the lake if viewing of lake becomes difficult.
58. Develop and implement the Schedule to O MCC/ Existing the Maintenance Agreement between Council and Melbourne Water covering the ongoing management of the lake/retarding basin.
59. Support the rehabilitation of Ruffey Creek between Victoria Street and Church Road as a high priority , including investigation and development of two open waterbodies within the viewshed of the proposed tea rooms.
60. Repair the existing fence around the Bonview wetland to prevent access by people and dogs.
61. Ensure continued access to the Bonview wetland sediment pond to allow occasional clean outs and assess environmental impacts prior to undertaking such works.
62. Develop and install two interpretive boards on the boardwalk between the wetland and Ruffey Lake and at the beginning of the Bonview wetland about
the design and function of wetlands.
63. Support Melbourne Water in their current efforts to remove litter from the storm water system before it enter Ruffey Lake.
64. Install and maintain Gross Pollution Traps along Council’s storm water system to remove litter before it enters Ruffey Lake Park and Ruffey Lake.
65. Install interpretive signs to advise people where litter in and around Ruffey Lake comes from.
66. Continue to implement a regular water quality monitoring program for Ruffey Creek and Ruffey Lake.
Environmental Management
67. Support the approach of using Bushland Management Zoning for management planning..
68. Make additional funds available for bushland management on an ongoing basis and distinguish this funding from ‘amenity planting’ or ‘landscape
management’.
69. Investigate the feasibility and desirability of fencing off appropriate areas of indigenous remnant vegetation to enhance protection or to encourage recruitment.
70. Investigate options for experimenting with alternative mowing heights and frequencies to:
• Identify, protect and manage areas of indigenous grassland,
• Promote/maintain/recover indigenous groundstorey;
• Protect creek sides and lake embankments from soil erosion; and
• Promote increased health and retention of soils across the park.
71. Support the involvement and adequate resourcing of the proposed Friends of Ruffey Lake Park in a broader range of environmental management actions.
72. Investigate options to ameliorate the dieback and stress of the mature indigenous eucalypts at the Boulevard play area and encourage recruitment of
or plant replacement eucalypts.
73. Map, identify and eradicate areas of noxious weeds including Chilean Needle grass and ensure that any vehicles, tools and equipment working in or driving over these infestations are washed or de- seeded to prevent further spread.
74. Experiment with GPS/GIS technologies to map, manage, monitor and report on indigenous vegetation.
75. Investigate methodologies to establish environmental indicators and monitor biodiversity values.
76. Develop a range of devices and techniques to interpret environmental management and flora and fauna issues to park visitors and the wider community.
77. Identify and GPS map those areas suitable for more indigenous planting and those areas where further planting should not occur.
78. Prior to the implementation of any capital or maintenance works, the GIS remnant vegetation map should be referred to for protecting any remnant vegetation in the vicinity of the works.
79. Support the development of “A Code of Practice for Works in for adjacent to Conservation Sites” being development in the Manningham Bushland Management Strategy.
80. Wherever possible retain appropriate dead and dying logs, trees and other vegetation to maximise habitat values within the park after considering safety
and amenity issues.
81. Support and encourage volunteers and community groups to undertake fauna surveys and actions eg. frog survey, erection and monitoring of artificial hollows.
82. Support and encourage sightings of wildlife to the Victorian Wildlife Atlas.
83. During the European Wasp season, undertake regular searches of the park to identify and eradicate nests, especially in the week prior to events.
84. Extend the ‘Don’t Feed the Ducks’ policy to include all wildlife and review existing signage design and location.
85. Investigate the need for habitat areas with conservation fencing and/or erection of ‘Conservation Habitat – Please Keep Out’ signs or similar.
86. Continue monitoring and taking actions as needed to reduce the occurrence and impact of pest animals within the park.
87. Identify issues between Ruffey Lake Park and abutting properties and undertake consultation and necessary action to rectify.
88. Preferred fencing type between Ruffey Lake Park and abutting properties is open, eg. Wire mesh, however existing fences can be replaced with same type.
89. Minimise impact on Ruffey Lake Park of redevelopment of abutting properties.
90. Incorporate the Yarra Valley Water owned property at 246 Church Road into Ruffey Lake Park.
91. All new plantings need to be sited with respect to existing significant viewpoints and sightlines.
92. Refurbish the two landscape lookouts at The Boulevarde Hill and McCallum Hill.
93. Enhance open areas by removing unsuccessful/unhealthy mixed plantings from the 1970s.
94. Planting of more canopy trees, particularly along the dry, open sections of the path network.
95. Continue the development of the deciduous woodland on Waldau Hill and association with Friedensruh.
96. Monitor Monterey Pine trees for Pine Tree Nematode and remove any diseased trees.
97. Implement a program of block replacement of Monterey Pine windows identified for retention over next 20 years.
98. Plant new Monterey Pine windrows on historical alignments or ridgelines as identified in the Management Plan.
99. Monitor all Monterey Pine trees and remove any tree that can no longer be safely maintained Community involvement and interpretation facilities
100. Support the continuation of strong community involvement in the planning, development and management of Ruffey

WHOA I had no idea Ruffey Lake was getting such an overhaul.

Even though I live in Doncaster, we still use Ruffey Lake alot, especially the playground off the entrance on George St.

It is good to see they recognise its value to the community.

Do you think land developers will ever get their hands on the park, the land must be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Do you think land developers will ever get their hands on the park, the land must be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. "

Of course they will..........eventually..........................

I have to disagree with you on this one DArgy. Look at Westerfolds park, that hasn't been touched for as long as I can remember. And Ruffey Lake Park is well loved by all the residents in the area. If the park was to be subdivided, I might even find myself on the tree line stopping the bulldozers!! I've had many good weekends there walking my dog with the family over the many years, and I wouldn't stand to let anyone take over it.

AJ

I agree with you AJ I hope they never will, but believe me they will one day. Maybe not in our life time, but one day.........

I've been wondering about development for years. The land must be worth a fortune, hundreds of millions.

I think eventually developers will get their hands on part of the park. It is a massive park by Victorian standards, council will no doubt get some kickbacks from the developers to make it worth their while.

I wouldnt mind to see a cafe in the park, like those you see in New York central park, or even the boathouse in Fairfield.

Would you oppose a cafe on the lake?

Not a bad idea......................

Ruffey Lake has been drained!

Link to photo
http://www.streetadvisor.com.au/victoria/templestowe/king_street/photos/4632

Not sure why but I took this photo on the weekend. Looks pretty bad,hope it's part of the overall development plan (maybe cleaning the bottom out).

WOW! Thanks for the photo donnyresident. I don't think they would be permanently draining it though. They would have to change the name of the the park to just Ruffey Park!