The City of Greater Bendigo will commence earthworks for the new Garden Gully Recreation Reserve surburban level playspace and new public toilets in April 2026.
About this project
The City of Greater Bendigo will commence earthworks for the new Garden Gully Recreation Reserve surburban level playspace and new public toilets in April 2026.
This project is funded by the City of Greater Bendigo. Works are expected to be completed in 2027.
Project features
The new Garden Gully Recreation Reserve playspace will feature a range of nature based and interactive play options including:
- Senior and junior play towers for climbing and sliding
- Big swing unit with a basket swing, an accessible seat and a toddler seat
- Small swing unit with two standard seats
- All access carousel
- Spring rocker
- Shop front
- Weave poles, steppers, balance boulders and play tunnel
Other features include:
- BBQ facilities and shelter
- Seating
- Drinking fountain and bike parking hoops
- New paths, irrigated lawn areas, planting and trees
New Public Toilets
The new public toilets will be a modular construction with one all abilities and two neutral ambulant toilets. A baby changing station will be provided within the all-abilities toilet.
Background to this project
In 2024 the City of Greater Bendigo updated the existing masterplan for the Garden Gully Recreation Reserve which was developed in 2004 to incorporate new public toilets, construction of a new suburban level playspace at a more suitable location within the reserve, and the provision of improved paths and linkages to the Ironbark Gully Trail.
The updated masterplan includes:
- Retaining the current oval as a multipurpose grassed sports field and designated off-leash dog area
- Renewal, upgrade and relocation of the playspace from a neighbourhood to suburban level
- New public toilet facilities
- Removal of cricket nets when they reach end of their asset life
- New connecting paths to and within the reserve
- Extensive plantings
When the masterplan was updated the community were informed that there would be a separate community engagement process for the design of the playspace. This further consultation for the development of the new playspace was undertaken in 2025. For more information on the feedback received visit the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website at https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/garden-gully-playspace
The new playspace and new public toilets are both key projects of the updated Masterplan and will be constructed in a safer and more accessible location west of the existing hockey ground.
Please note the existing neighbourhood level playspace will remain in operation until construction of the new playspace is completed. Following construction of the new playspace the existing playspace will be dismantled and removed.
Timeline
Earthworks to commence in April 2026
Construction of public toilet facilities is planned to commence in August/September 2026
Construction of playspace is planned to commence in October/November 2026
The project is anticipated for completion in 2027.
Question and answers
The City updated the masterplan to incorporate future developments at the reserve including construction of a new suburban level playspace at a more suitable location within the reserve, new public toilet facilities, and to provide for improved parking, paths and linkages to the Ironbark Gully Creek Trail.
The updated masterplan also reflected a range of other major works already completed at the reserve since 2004.
The master plan update reflects the relocation of the playspace to create a safer and more accessible location, new toilets and connecting paths. The remainder of the master plan is largely unchanged.
The Garden Gully Recreation Reserve is a former mining site and was the home of the Garden Gully United Mine which produced 444,336 ounces of gold and paid £1,050,848 in dividends to shareholders.
The mine was located on the Garden Gully Reef Line, one of the most successful reef lines in Bendigo, and operated from 1857 until 1921.
In 1931 the Bendigo Amalgamated Goldfields Company gifted the mine’s steel poppet legs to the former City of Bendigo. The poppet legs were erected in Rosalind Park to serve as the lookout tower you see to this day.
The mayor of the day Cr W H Taylor said that the lookout was erected to perpetuate the name of Bendigo as a goldfield.
Garden Gully Recreation Reserve is located on Crown Land, managed by the City of Greater Bendigo.
The existing playspace will remain operational until the new, surburban level playspace is constructed.
When the new playspace is constructed, the existing playspace located in the informal carparking area will be removed.
Yes. The design of the new playspace has been informed by a comprehensive community consultation process undertaken in 2025. For more information on the feedback received visit the City’s Let’s Talk community engagement website at https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/garden-gully-playspace
The new toilet block will be a modular construction with one all abilities and two ambulant toilets. A baby changing station will be provided in the all abilities toilet.
To improve access and visibility the toilet block will be fitted with timed lighting and door signage and decals. The toilet will be open to public each day between 6am and 9pm
The footprint of the playspace site is not large enough for a flying fox as a 10 metre clear space must be provided from the fence to provide for temporary spectator seating, media and food trucks that are required for Hockey events.
There are already a lot of activities that take place within the reserve. This includes a dog off leash walking area, the hockey grounds, cricket pitch and the new playspace. As these activities already generate a bit of noise, a hardcourt would only increase the noise levels and provide more noise for local residents.
The nearest outdoor fitness equipment is located at the Long Gully Recreation Reserve, Cuneen Street Long Gully only 1.7 kilometres away.
There is currently no funding allocated towards fitness equipment in this project. However, should a need arise in the future, appropriate grant funding avenues can be explored but is not guaranteed.