In September 2019, we engaged with the community on options for the landscaping at the Ercildoune Court Reserve in Cranbourne West.

More than 60 local community members provided feedback on the site with themes such as heritage, clear pathways and opportunities for play being some of the key priorities of the community for the site.

To see the full Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports, visit the project page.

Our engagement initially focused on the landscaping on the site with the restoration of the heritage homestead to be considered when funds became available.

With the recent announcement of funding through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Council has been granted the $1.196 million dollars required to restore the heritage listed homestead.

What does this mean for the landscaping?

Due to this new funding, the building restoration will now be prioritised before any landscaping works. This will allow maximum access to the site for contractors without having to work around any existing landscaping. It also means that the landscaping can better integrate with the newly restored homestead.

Are there any other implications?

With the building restoration now funded, the City of Casey will look to activate the building with local community programs. Based on the size and capacity of the new building, 14 new carparks will be required to facilitate this (see concept plan).

During the project scoping/planning a full audit of the existing landscaping was done on the site and some trees were identified as unsafe. One large tree will need to be removed for public safety.

Where to from here?

With the final landscape concept plan in place and the plans for homestead nearly finalised, construction will commence on the homestead in July this year. You will notice that some of the bricks around the base of the homestead will be removed. These will be replaced once our restoration crews have completed the first phase of the restoration – restoring the homestead footings.

Construction fencing will be in place around the homestead, however the rest of the reserve will still be available for community use.