Skidale Close Reserve Upgrade - further works to commence

Further enhancement works are scheduled to commence on 17 August 2026, thanks to support from the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns - Round 3 Program.

Works focus on improving public amenity in the area, and will include timber edging to existing steps from Skidale Close to the tavern carpark, solar bollards and new furniture to make the reserve safer, and complement the existing natural environment of the park.

The installation works are anticipated to take approximately 1 month with works planned for completion by mid September. During this period, the areas adjacent to the works will be enclosed with temporary safety fencing, and alternative accessways will be in place as the project progresses. Initially pedestrian movement will be directed from the carpark area through to Cross Street via the pedestrian path between the Tavern and the reserve, and across to Skidale Close.

Thank you to those who have contributed feedback during the process, and we apologise for any inconvenience during this time.

Skidale Reserve Upgrade Works – Stage 2

Great news!

Council applied for recent Tiny Towns Round 3 grant funding and was successful! Thanks to @Regional Development Victoria, we can continue works to install further upgrades into this space.

Community feedback informed that safer passage throughout the reserve needed to be prioritised, and we listened!

These improvements will include:

• Upgrade of existing pathway and steps from Skidale Close through the reserve and onto the carpark with new timber edging and steppers with levelled compacted gravel infill
• New 1m height solar bollard lighting along path and stairwell to BBQ and carpark areas
• New sun lounges sited to align with views towards the beach

Works are scheduled to begin in this much loved space within the next 2 months; stay tuned for commencement updates.

See the revised landscape concept here!

🚧 Skidale Reserve Upgrade – Now Open!

Great news for Lake Tyers — the Skidale Close Reserve upgrade has been completed around one month ahead of schedule, and the park is now fully open to the community 🌿

The improvements include

• New picnic settings
• New play equipment and soft-fall
• New timber stairwell and steel edging
• New ground surfaces in select areas
• New drinking fountain
  
• New coastal grass and groundcover planting beds

This much-loved space has been finished early and is ready to enjoy. We encourage everyone to get out and experience the refreshed reserve. Thank you to the community for your patience while these works were underway — we hope you love the result!

Significant progress made

Great progress has been achieved on site, with enhancement works set to continue after the Easter break.

What's happened so far

• Removal of old park furniture.
• Clearing of overgrown shrubs and vegetation.
• Construction of a new timber stairwell and steel edging.
• Installation of new picnic settings.
• New surface material laid in selected areas.

What's next

• Installation of new play equipment and soft-fall surfacing.
• Planting of coastal grasses and groundcover garden beds.
• Placement of additional boulders for landscaping and play.
• Installation of a new drinking fountain.

Temporary access arrangements

For everyone's safety, access through the Reserve remains restricted while works continue. Temporary safety fencing is in place, with pedestrian access directed:

• From the car park through to Cross Street.
• Via the shared path between the Tavern and the Reserve.
• Across to Skidale Close, as previously advised.

We appreciate your patience during construction.

Nearly there!

Not long now until Skidale Close Reserve reopens, offering a refreshed and welcoming space for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Skidale Close Reserve Upgrade - works to commence

Enhancement works are scheduled to commence on 16 March 2026.

Works focus on improving public amenity in the area, and will include new picnic settings, play equipment and landscaped areas to complement the existing natural environment of the park, as previously notified.

The installation works are anticipated to take approximately 2.5 months with works planned for completion by June. During this period, the lower section of the Reserve will be enclosed with temporary safety fencing, and access through the Reserve will be restricted. Pedestrian movement will instead be directed from the carpark area through to Cross Street via the pedestrian path between the Tavern and the Reserve, and across to Skidale Close as existing.

Thank you to those who have contributed feedback during the process, and we apologise for any inconvenience during this time.

We’ve been listening!

In response to community feedback, we’ve revisited the original concept plan and made some changes to make Skidale Close Reserve more welcoming for families, visitors, and locals.

The updated design focuses on improving the primary amenity areas, including the terraced BBQ and picnic areas, to better serve the local community and visitors.

💡 A new concept design is now available for you to view.

What we heard

Community feedback highlighted several important priorities:

• Requests for improved picnic and BBQ areas to encourage social gatherings.
• Desire to preserve native vegetation and minimise ecological impact.
• Strong support for making the reserve easier to access.
• Calls for adequate lighting and regular upkeep.

Council responses and actions

• Family-friendly spaces: The new concept design prioritises terraced BBQ, picnic areas and updated play equipment to create welcoming spaces for families and visitors.
• Environmental care: The design retains and supplements native vegetation, and minimises ecological impact while improving amenity areas.
• Safety and maintenance: Maintenance and lighting considerations have been incorporated to support safety and usability.
• Accessibility: Whilst we are not able to provide an additional pathway at this time, we’re committed to improving access as much as possible within the current scope of works.

What’s next?

✅ Funding secured for construction of the primary amenity elements, with works planned to commence in 2026.

➕ Construction of elements outside current scope (such as an additional pathway) is subject to future funding availability.