Members of the community are invited to have input into the development of a Management Plan for Rosalind Park by completing a survey on the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website by Monday December 2, 2024.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said Rosalind Park is one of Greater Bendigo’s premier parklands for recreation and major events and the City is keen to find out what the community considers important in managing and maintaining this important asset for Greater Bendigo.
“The City faces significant challenges in managing Rosalind Park which is home to a number of important heritage trees and other attractions such as the poppet head tower, the conservatory, the cascades and the fernery,” Mr Westley said.
“Since 2010 the park has also been home to a colony of native protected Grey Headed Flying Fox who have established a breeding and maternity camp at the site and more recently White Ibis have taken up residency in the fernery.
“The Grey Headed Flying Fox is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), the Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic). White Ibis are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975.
“The City doesn’t have the authority to remove or relocate the bats as they are a protected species. It is also illegal to scare, harm or disturb them without permission or a permit from the relevant responsible authorities.
“The Department Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the City have worked together since 2010 to monitor the size of the bat population and the impact they have on the park.
“While the City already has a masterplan that guides the future development of the entire Rosalind Park precinct the plan we want to develop is about meeting the day-to-day management requirements of the park and ensuring we are fulfilling our obligations under the Wildlife Act for the protected species that live in the park.
“The City is obligated to ensure we are not doing anything that impacts the animals and this means we must find a balance between people and the native animals.”
Community members can complete a survey and have input into the plan on the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website by Monday December 2, 2024.
All feedback received will be considered in the development of the plan to ensure the City’s maintenance meets the expectations of the general public.