Walker Street Garden Derrinallum

Consultation has concluded.

The plan for the proposed Walker Street Garden in Derrinallum was placed on public notice for 25 days and 23 responses were submitted (including one late response).

Nineteen submissions were supportive of the project and offered encouragement to the Western Plains Working Together Incorporated community group (WPWT) and its partnership with Corangamite Shire.

Four longer form submissions raised matters of process and were critical of either Council or the WPWP group or both regarding aspects of the development of this project and/or its consideration by Council. These submissions were not directed at the garden proposal per se or aspects of its design, apart from one reference to pedestrian crossings.

The evident need for better communication across the community was reinforced by the lack of shared information on the one hand, and the apparent misunderstandings on the part of some submitters regarding costs and perceived risks on the other. This was a matter that the public exhibition sought to address.

In regard to commentary about community support for the Walker Street Garden project, as reported to the Derrinallum community through the News and Natter community newsletter, Corangamite Shire is relying upon the outcome of the review of the Derrinallum Community Plan last year, where the 214 people participating in the town survey added two new priorities to the Plan. Through the survey, the Fitness Equipment proposal became a new priority (95 votes for, 39 against) as did the Walker Street Garden (84 votes for and 41 against).

The next step is for the Memorandum of Understanding between WWPT Incorporated and Corangamite Shire to be signed, prior to commencement of works scheduled with Council Parks and Gardens staff.

Thank you to all community members who took the trouble to share their views on this project. You can read each of the individual responses below.

Initial Consultation

The long-awaited makeover of Walker Street, Derrinallum is almost ready to commence following the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding between Western Plains Working Together (WPWT) Incorporated and Corangamite Shire. Community volunteers will work in partnership with Council Parks & Gardens staff to mulch and plant out the new garden, which was identified as a township priority in last year’s review of the Derrinallum Community Plan.

WPWT members invite you to view their garden plan and to submit your comments, encouragement and support for this community initiative.

The plan for the proposed Walker Street Garden in Derrinallum was placed on public notice for 25 days and 23 responses were submitted (including one late response).

Nineteen submissions were supportive of the project and offered encouragement to the Western Plains Working Together Incorporated community group (WPWT) and its partnership with Corangamite Shire.

Four longer form submissions raised matters of process and were critical of either Council or the WPWP group or both regarding aspects of the development of this project and/or its consideration by Council. These submissions were not directed at the garden proposal per se or aspects of its design, apart from one reference to pedestrian crossings.

The evident need for better communication across the community was reinforced by the lack of shared information on the one hand, and the apparent misunderstandings on the part of some submitters regarding costs and perceived risks on the other. This was a matter that the public exhibition sought to address.

In regard to commentary about community support for the Walker Street Garden project, as reported to the Derrinallum community through the News and Natter community newsletter, Corangamite Shire is relying upon the outcome of the review of the Derrinallum Community Plan last year, where the 214 people participating in the town survey added two new priorities to the Plan. Through the survey, the Fitness Equipment proposal became a new priority (95 votes for, 39 against) as did the Walker Street Garden (84 votes for and 41 against).

The next step is for the Memorandum of Understanding between WWPT Incorporated and Corangamite Shire to be signed, prior to commencement of works scheduled with Council Parks and Gardens staff.

Thank you to all community members who took the trouble to share their views on this project. You can read each of the individual responses below.

Initial Consultation

The long-awaited makeover of Walker Street, Derrinallum is almost ready to commence following the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding between Western Plains Working Together (WPWT) Incorporated and Corangamite Shire. Community volunteers will work in partnership with Council Parks & Gardens staff to mulch and plant out the new garden, which was identified as a township priority in last year’s review of the Derrinallum Community Plan.

WPWT members invite you to view their garden plan and to submit your comments, encouragement and support for this community initiative.

News feed

Consultation has concluded.

What we heard

*Please note that some submissions have been edited to remove statements which are manifestly incorrect, potentially defamatory or where content may identify individual persons. These modifications have been kept to a minimum so as to preserve the integrity of each submission

1	This looks like a terrific project. It’s great to see people working together – and working together with Corangamite Parks and Gardens staff – to beautify our towns through planting and gardens. The plants look like good choices for the conditions too. I wish you all the best.
2	I fully support Derrinallum community's Walker St garden plan. The plants are attractive, colourful and bee-attracting, and also tough and low maintenance. The planting will definitely enhance Derrinallum's shopping precinct.
3	I think it looks fabulous, nice to get some colour into the town.
4	A commendable project, engendering great community spirit and endeavour to beautify and enhance the streetscape. Best wishes.
5	What a delight to see this project for Derrinallum with the community and Shire working in partnership. You have a special little town and this garden will certainly enhance the street scape positively. Have fun before, during and after. Best wishes.
6	What a stunning planting selection and design! This will bring interest and colour to Walker Street. The plants selected are hardy and well suited for a kerbside garden, and non-invasive. I can see lots of careful consideration and planning has gone into this project. Well done WPWT!
7	Love this idea & plant selection. Also a project to brighten our community after lockdown.
8	How wonderful that will look.
9	What a great idea to beautify the town and create a space that encourages people to gather. Well done to the Derrinallum Community for developing the plan. I look forward to visiting the garden next time I am up your way and bringing my visitors for a look too.
10	This looks great Derri folk! Well done. In travelling round Australia with my caravan for 28 years, I found the difference between an attractive town and a boring one, was the amount of attractive planting, and the pride the residents took in their town. Sadly only this week my caravan of 28 years has gone to a new owner. At nearly 87 I knew it was time for me to be off the road with the van. One last glorious weekend at Peterborough, then a sad farewell.
11	I write to you to express my deep disappointment in the action that the Shire seems to be taking in regard to the Walker Street Garden Derrinallum. This project has been discussed by the community at several open meetings with the Progress Association that were well attended by the community, a vote was taken and the result was overwhelming against the project with only 3 votes for. A new group in town was then formed through a series of closed meetings, attendance by invite only and then registered as an incorporated body. This new committee then proceeded to conduct an AGM meeting that I assume was again closed to the public as I am unaware of any public announcement of the meeting. This group that has so far had no consultation with the community seem to have managed to get the Shire to agree with the project against the outcome of the last public meeting that was held in this community. The Derrinallum Progress Association try to the best of their ability to operate by the rules that they are governed by, and the majority of meetings are open with a large number of non-members attending. I am amazed that the Shire has decided to overrule the outcome of public meetings and go ahead with a project presented to them by a small group operating behind closed doors. This letter is not a product of the Derrinallum Progress Association and I do not stand against the Walker Street Garden, but I am against the Shire acting against the community decision without further consultation.
12	What a wonderful idea, looking forward to seeing this garden.