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Master Plans for Blue Gum Reserve in Cowes, Harold Hughes Reserve in Corinella and Thompson Reserve in Inverloch were adopted at last week’s Bass Coast Shire Council meeting.

The Master Plans are strategic documents which will guide future development of the Reserves over the next 10 years.

The Plans for Blue Gum and Harold Hughes have been newly developed, while the Thompson Reserve Master Plan was initially adopted in 2016 and has now been revised.

The development of the Plans was a collaborative effort between Council, key user groups and the broader community.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said Master Plans are an important planning tool.

“They get the community involved in creating a vision for their local open spaces. They also allow us to illustrate priorities for grants and funding opportunities,” Cr Tessari said.

“We can’t underestimate the value of reserves and parks within our communities. They provide a place to meet, socialise and be active.

“That’s why it’s so important to get the community involved when planning for the future of these spaces,” Cr Tessari concluded.

Blue Gum Reserve provides a large open space for the community and provides buildings, storage and activity areas for a number of user groups. The Reserve’s Master Plan includes the need for conserving the natural environment while supporting the development of better facilities, better management of off-lead dog walking areas and a vehicle movement management plan.

As a major recreation hub for the town, Harold Hughes Reserve is home to the Corinella Bowls Club and Corinella Community Hall, a children’s playground, a public art piece, two tennis courts, a basketball ring and cricket nets. The Master Plan supports recent commitments to upgrade existing facilities and provide better public amenity for all users.

The revised Thompson Reserve Master Plan prioritises the construction of new change rooms for the soccer clubs that use the Reserve, as well as the construction of new multi-use cricket nets. The plan also addresses vehicle and pedestrian access into and within the Reserve.

To view the Plans, visit or contact Council’s Recreation and Culture Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211.