Natural Reserves

Greater Bendigo is home to many linear creeks, urban bushcare sites, urban farm forestry sites, significant road reserves and dozens of other natural reserves.

Some of our icon sites include: 

• Crusoe Reservoir and No 7 Park - view a map of the area
• Kennington Reservoir and Grassy Flat Creek - view a map of the area
• Spring Gully Creek
• O'Keefe Rail Trail
• Lake Neangar & Lake Tom Thumb
• McIvor Creek, Heathcote
• Flora and fauna reserves in Axedale, Strathfieldsaye
• Bendigo Creek and its tributaries

Our natural reserves are valued community resources, that offer not only recreational opportunities and quality of life experiences, but valuable habitat and wildlife corridors for many native species of birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs.

Community involvement

We facilitate the involvement of the community in the management and development of the reserves. By so doing, we aim to ensure that the community accepts ownership and responsibility for the long-term viability and enhancement of all its natural surrounds.

Some people have difficulty in understanding what we are trying to achieve in our natural reserves. We are not about creating botanical gardens, nor do we manage manicured urban parks like Lake Weeroona or Rosalind park. Our responsibilities lie in the management of "busland areas" and "natural reserves".

We attempt to provide optimal conditions for native flora and fauna to improve the habitat value and the visitor's natural experience.

 Natural reserves are about ensuring that the local community has areas of natural open space which have been set aside, in perpetuity, for recreation, preservation, and conservation.

We encourage people to get involved with local Friends of Groups and help us protect and manage these increasingly important natural spaces.