[Pending Comms Update] Have your Say: Draft Bennettswood Reserve Master Plan
We are inviting the community to help us prepare a Master Plan for Bennettswood Reserve.
Located in Burwood, Bennettswood Reserve is classified as a Municipal open space in the Whitehorse Open Space Strategy (2025) and is approximately 8.7 hectares in area.
The reserve is adjacent to Gardiners Creek to the west and Deakin University to the east. It contains two ovals; one unfenced and mainly used for informal recreational purposes, and a fenced and floodlit oval used for cricket and football. The site also includes a pavilion and cricket practice nets. The entire area is a dog off-leash area.
Your feedback will help inform the development of the Master Plan, which will provide a clear direction for the future development of the reserve.
How community feedback in round 1 helped shape the draft Bennettswood Reserve Master Plan
What we heard: Community wants additional sport facilities and passive recreation facilities such as outdoor table tennis tables, additional seating, shelter, BBQ facilities and more bins
What's included in draft master plan: Covered multisport courts, a soccer pitch, improved cricket facilities that can also be used for futsal, and golf practice nets. Activity spaces include picnic tables and table tennis tables. A new community gathering space is proposed with seating and an open grassed area. Additional seating is also provided throughout the Reserve to support social connection.
What we heard: Community wants additional lighting, improved pathway connections
What's included in draft master plan: improved connection from Burwood Hwy, better connection to and from Gardiners Creek trail, better shared path access and lighting
What we heard: Community wants diverse vegetation for habitat and biodiversity and increased tree canopy
What's included in draft master plan: Increased tree canopy coverage, integrate landscaping to soften and blend infrastructure. Wildlife sensitive pathlighting which is ambient for the location – flora and fauna considerations.
What we heard: Community wants environmental education and interpretation opportunities, and ongoing community involvement in creek and habitat restoration activities.
What's included in draft master plan: Increased community involvement in environmental stewardship. Improved signage and interpretation of cultural and environmental values.
How to get involved:
- Read the Draft Bennettswood Reserve Master Plan and FAQs
- Attend one of our pop-up sessions and share your thoughts in-person
- Take the online survey. This survey will take approximately 2 minutes to complete. Your responses will be treated confidentially. Your data will be handled in accordance with the Whitehorse City Council privacy policy
