INFORMATION BULLETIN #3
Hanging Rock
November 2013
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INFORMATION UPDATE
This paper has been designed to provide information to all stakeholders on Council’s plan
for future investment in the Hanging Rock Reserve and the East Paddock.
It should be read in conjunction with the Report presented to Council on the 28 August
and Information Bulletin 1 & 2 issued in September 2013. Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/hangingrock-bulletins
Actions undertaken to date
Since Council’s resolution in August to investigate the potential for private investment to
financially support Hanging Rock into the future, Macedon Ranges Shire Council has:
1. Developed information bulletins and responded to public enquiries for further
information.
2. Met with relevant Government departments to confirm their support for the Council
resolutions and the next phase.
3. Discussed the next steps and further studies required.
4. Met to develop an action plan for the next 12–18 months including, resourcing
plans, terms of reference, project structure, risk management, communications,
procurement and delivery.
5. Initiated financial support for additional reports e.g. market sounding, site
investigation, environmental planning etc.
6. Engaged a consultant to undertake a Cultural Heritage Management Plan.
7. Is preparing a summary of the Development & Investment plan and other
supporting information for public distribution.
8. Is moving forward with the implementation of the works which Regional
Development Australia funding was received for.
Next steps
There are many steps that need to happen before any proposal or built component of the
masterplan becomes a reality.
Together, Council and the State Government will now undertake additional studies to
further investigate the market viability and development considerations.
If there is no interest in this concept from the private sector then the State Government
would not provide the funding mentioned in the Council report and Bulletin 1 & 2. Council
would then need to reconsider how it supports the Hanging Rock Reserve and the East
Paddock in to the future.
If there is interest by the private sector a procurement strategy will follow, as well as a
town planning process.
This is the beginning of a very long process which will include community consultation and
opportunities for input from residents and other key stakeholders.
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Frequently asked questions
Council has received a number of questions since the Council decision in August. A
number are answered in Bulletin 1 and 2 and additional questions are answered below.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Annual Report says that Hanging Rock has
$323,000 in its reserve. Why do you need money from a private investment?
The Hanging Rock financial reserve is a “holding account” designated specifically to fund
capital works at the Rock. Income is generated at Hanging Rock from entry fees, event
fees, leases etc., which goes to funding most of the operational costs. If there is a surplus
in the operational area at the end of the financial year, the funds are transferred to the
financial reserve. It is intended that the “savings” would then go to providing for the much
needed upgrades to existing facilities, significant environmental improvement programs
and provision of new infrastructure.
In ten years, including four large concerts held in recent times, Hanging Rock has only
been able to increase its reserve from $154,000 to the current balance of $323,000.
When considering the many millions of dollars required for environmental and
infrastructure maintenance, care and improvement (see below), this is by no means
enough.
The decision recently made by Council is about trying to seek alternate funds to deal with
the environmental and infrastructure maintenance, care and improvement required if
Hanging Rock is to be cared for as it should. One of the ways to alleviate the immediate
issues, to upgrade the facilities and to secure a sustainable financial future is potentially a
well planned, carefully managed, environmentally sensitive private development in a small
section of the Council-owned East Paddock.
Funds to deal with the immediate challenges (outlined below) may, in some part, be
provided by the State Government in order to encourage private investment. Resulting
additional income offered by a lease to a private investor as well as increase in visitation
and use (e.g. picnickers and events) could provide an ongoing and assured funding
source so as to conserve and enhance the environment and amenity for future
generations.
The following list provides a high level summary of the immediate and longer term
environmental, infrastructure maintenance and improvement works that are required at
Hanging Rock Reserve and the East Paddock.
Description of works
Water reticulation within the Reserve (drought proofing)
Reserve-wide sewerage upgrade
Extension of power upgrades
Storm water drainage collection and reticulation system
Car parking improvements to existing areas including surfacing and water sensitive
urban design drainage
Conservation area improvements east paddock including improvements to fences,
minor earth works and revegetation
5 Mile Creek improvements minimum level of revegetation and hydrological works
Pedestrian trail improvements (to existing alignments)
New internal trail/ pedestrian track - internal circulation track connecting the East
Paddock with the Main Reserve to remove users from the more sensitive areas
Wetland (‘dam’) improvements e.g. habitat regeneration and ecological improvements
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Upgrading viewing areas and pathways on the Rock
Pest animal control
Upgrade existing toilet facilities
Upgrade user group facilities
Upgrade discovery centre
These works are estimated to cost approximately $8.5 million. Some of the issues
identified above are getting worse without the available resources and Council’s ability to
plan for the future e.g. bringing in recycled water is unachievable.
In summary, the $169,000 in surplus revenue that has taken 10 years to accumulate and
is not nearly enough to deal with even the pest plants or animals issue.
It is also becoming more costly for events to be hosted at Hanging Rock or the East
Paddock so the income generated over the years and which has contributed to the
‘savings’ made to date – is at risk. It is for this reason that Council is looking to alternate
means in which to ensure the future of the facility.
Examples of some of challenges facing the Reserve and the East Paddock:
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How does this concept respond to the MRSC Natural Environment Strategy?
The Macedon Ranges Environment Strategy (NES) articulates a sustainable
economic development approach to protection and enhancement of the shire’s
environmental assets.
The Natural Environment Strategy specifically addresses Hanging Rock and
recognises that the primary management task is to balance biodiversity
conservation and tourist visitation. It also references the 1993 management plan
and purchase of the adjacent farm land (the East Paddock) with an aim to “help
reduce the concentration of visitor numbers on the natural areas of the Reserve
and thereby help reduce the impact of the biodiversity of the site”. The
Development & Investment Plan progresses these objectives and also
addresses the established notion contained in the NES that economic
sustainability can drive positive environmental outcomes—provided appropriate
management mechanisms are in place.
The Natural Environment Strategy was used a reference by the consultants who
prepared the Development & Investment Plan and informed the
recommendations made in that document.
Will the Cobaw Biolink be affected by a private investment?
The Cobaw Biolink forms part of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme and all
proposals in this area are assessed against this policy; tourism developments
included.
The Planning Scheme states that the Policy Basis is as follows:
Council’s vision for the area between the Macedon and Cobaw Ranges is
establishing a biolink between these areas of significant vegetation.
Housing will be permitted in these areas subject to it not compromising
the vision for the area. Residential development, in fact, will be used as a
tool to achieve this environmental goal.
Residents can be assured that should a development of the nature described
proceed, an assessment of the impact (positive or negative) on the Cobaw
Biolink will be undertaken.
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Regular information bulletins will be prepared when new information comes to
hand and made available via Council’s regular media and online distribution
channels.
For more detailed information, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/hanging-rock-bulletins
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