Olinda Precinct Project Stage Two
Project status
May 2023
- Designs for the precinct’s visitor facilities, car park and access improvements have been developed and can be viewed below.
- Expressions of interest for a new food and beverage offering at the precinct have been sought. Applications will be assessed against the EOI Assessment Criteria, with an outcome to be announced in the coming months.
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The project
This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country.
The former Olinda Golf Course is located in the Dandenong Ranges, between the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and R. J. Hamer Arboretum, 50 kilometres east of Melbourne.
The Olinda Precinct Plan was developed in consultation with the community with the aim of transforming the site into a 34-hectare open-space site for recreation.
We’re now delivering on the Olinda Precinct Plan to provide more opportunities for the community to connect with nature and make the most of this fantastic location.
Stage two will deliver further improvements to the site and visitor experience:
Carpark and access improvements
We will make upgrades to the carparking areas, drainage, and access pathways connecting the site to the Olinda township and recreation trails to improve accessibility.
Supporting a new food and beverage offering to open on site
In the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan our community told us they would like to have a food and beverage offering at the Olinda Precinct. We are exploring opportunities for a new operator to use the footprint of the former Golf Clubhouse and Cafe to provide a new food and beverage offering at the precinct.
Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered.
Pictured above: A section of the former Olinda Golf Course.
Project update: May 2023
Designs for the precinct’s upgraded visitor facilities, car park and access improvements have been developed. Key design items include:
- Improved car parking, to maximise parking spaces, while working sensitively around tree protection zones to preserve the existing native trees in the precinct.
- A kiss-and-go drop off area, to streamline traffic during training and matches.
- A new shelter overlooking the Olinda Green, which re-uses bricks from the existing fireplace shelter. This is something many community members expressed they would like to see in the new design.
- Additional facilities for a great day out in the park, which may include new toilets, barbecues, seating and drinking fountains.
- Improved pathways and connections, making it easier for people to safely move throughout the precinct.
The design features are subject to ongoing review of project costs in the current market conditions, on-ground and construction industry conditions, and environmental and cultural heritage assessments. The designs may change as the project progresses.
Design renders of the planned upgrades and an overall Master Plan of the Stage 2 works are included below:
Pictured above: A design render showing plans for the sheltered picnic area overlooking the Olinda Green.
Pictured above: Improvements to the car park will maximise spaces, and a kiss-and-go drop off zone will be created to streamline traffic during training and matches.
Pictured above: The new car park will work sensitively around tree protection zones to preserve native trees in the precinct.
Pictured above: A birds-eye view of the planned Olinda Precinct Stage 2 works.
Project benefits
Visitors
Visitors of all ages and abilities will have more opportunities to explore the stunning surrounding parklands, connect with nature, and enjoy time in the park with friends and family.
Environment
Upgrades being delivered at the Olinda Precinct will formalise pathways and recreation spaces to protect and preserve existing native vegetation, while providing visitors with the opportunity to explore and appreciate the stunning surrounding parklands of the Dandenong Ranges.
Community
Three phases of community consultation were undertaken during the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan and we’re now delivering on what we heard from the community through this process.
The new facilities at the Olinda Precinct aim to provide a place for people of all ages and abilities to meet, play, picnic and connect to the natural surroundings in beautiful Olinda.
Project funding
The Victorian Government has invested $3.4 million to deliver the stage two works at the Olinda Precinct.
Project timeline
Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, the timeline for the project is estimated below:
- Spring 2022: Community consultation on the precinct’s visitor facilities, parking and connecting pathways (complete)
- Late 2022: Designs developed for the precinct’s visitor facilities, parking and connecting pathways (complete)
- Late 2022: Expressions of Interest for a new food and beverage offering open on Buying for Victoria (complete)
- Early 2023: Expressions of Interest for a new food and beverage offering close
- Mid 2023: Designs for the precinct’s visitor facilities, parking and connecting pathways released (complete)
- Mid 2024: Car park and access improvement construction works start
- Late 2024: Car park and access improvement construction works complete
Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered. This timeline will be updated as the project progresses.
Environment and cultural heritage management
Parks Victoria have an approved Cultural Heritage Contingency Plan issued via our Managing Country Together Team, to ensure that any Aboriginal cultural heritage is managed carefully and appropriately if discovered during works.
Who are we working with?
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Yarra Ranges Council
Access changes
There are currently no access changes to the Olinda Precinct in relation to this project. We’ll update this page and on-site signage to inform visitors of any access changes that may come into effect.
Before visiting any park you should check the relevant park page for any Change of Conditions.
Staying updated
For updates on this project and other news from the area, subscribe here.
Related information
- January 2023: Project update: Call for food and beverage offering at Olinda Precinct
- Olinda Precinct Community Update May 2022
- Media release 19 July 2019 - Olinda welcomes new nature-based playspace
- Olinda Golf Course Precinct Plan (April 2017)
- Olinda Precinct Project
- Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda project
- Olinda Precinct Stage 1 project page
- Olinda Precinct upgrades Engage Victoria page
- RJ Hamer Arboretum park page
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden park page
FAQs
What works are being completed as part of the Olinda Precinct Stage 2 upgrades?
We will make upgrades to the carparking areas, drainage, and access pathways connecting the site to the Olinda township and recreation trails to improve accessibility.
We are also exploring opportunities for a new operator to use the footprint of the former Golf Clubhouse and Cafe to provide a new food and beverage offering at the precinct.
Why are you making these upgrades?
In 2016 we engaged the community in the development of the Olinda Precinct Plan. As part of this process, we heard the community’s ideas and suggestions on how we can uplift this space to transform the former Olinda Golf Course into a 34-hectare open-space site for recreation.
In response to this feedback, we’re now delivering on the Olinda Precinct Plan. We are upgrading the precinct with more carparking, accessible pathways, and new visitor facilities including toilets, shelters and a new food and beverage offering, to provide people of all ages and abilities with more opportunities to get active in nature and make the most of this fantastic location.
What other works are happening as part of the implementation of the Olinda Precinct Plan?
There are a number of exciting works completed and planned to uplift the Olinda Precinct, including:
- Olinda Precinct Stage 1: Stage one works are providing more opportunities for visitors to get active in nature, with the completion of the Olinda Green and a nature-based playscape, and new and upgraded netball and cricket facilities on the way. Find out more about these works.
- Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Phillip Johnson’s re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show award-winning ‘Australian Garden’ exhibit is coming to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. The new garden is 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation for native plants and wildlife. Find out more.
How can I stay up-to-date with project progress?
You can subscribe for updates on the Olinda Precinct project.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 19 63 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.
