A grand vision for the future of the Merri River has been unveiled which includes three new bridges, a wetlands walking loop, another dog park for the city and scooter park.
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Described as the "future Lake Pertobe", the plan will guide development in the area south of the Merri River over the next decade or more.
The plans include an off-lead dog park at the end of Queens Road with a community space for possible bocce and basketball courts, a scooter park and public toilets.
The existing pump shed building could be repurposed as a cafe or bike/kayak hire facility to take advantage of new paths and two proposed canoe launching ramps, the plan says.
The plan also suggests a mooted car bridge across Bromfield Street includes a pedestrian path.
The council last year indicated there had been no decision as to whether a traffic bridge over the Merri River would get the go ahead "in the near future".
Two other pedestrian bridges across the river are also earmarked for sites near Platypus Park in Membery Way and near Woodend Road in the newly unveiled plans.
A boardwalk would loop around a rehabilitated wetland off Woodend Road under the council's plans and land has been set aside for an edible indigenous food trial site.
In unveiling the new plan for the Merri River corridor, city growth director Andrew Paton said it set out the long-term vision for the area between Thunder Point to Jubliee Park in Woodford.
The vision is outlined in three separate plans which involved consultation with the public, community groups and the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation.
"It's all wonderful stuff in a wonderful part of the world," Mr Paton said.
Cr Kylie Gaston said the plan had been compared with Lake Pertobe which was "so visionary for the '70s".
"This plan in 2020 will also provide a real legacy, a wonderful significant public asset for future generations," she said.
"There's a lot of work to do and it's going to come in stages, however we can start working on critical connections now."
Cr Gaston said the plan would also provide more open recreational space for west Warrnambool, which was lacking playgrounds in open space areas.
She said a third of Warrnambool's population lived within a 10-minute walk of the river.
Cr Gaston said many in the community had already created their own "goat tracks" along the river and it would formalise where people wanted to go.
"There's just so much potential here," she said.
Cr David Owen said the river was a very important wildlife corridor.
"It will be the future Lake Pertobe, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"It will provide passive recreation and more importantly promote and respect the cultural landscape and connection with the Eastern Maar people which is sadly lacking in this town."
Cr Peter Sycopoulis said the plan included 25 kilometres of off-road trails and while it wouldn't all happen overnight, it was all positive.
Cr Sue Cassidy said she hoped it was kept "as natural as possible" and there weren't too many concrete paths.
She said the plan would connect Woodford and Warrnambool and give people more places to walk - something that had become important to people during the pandemic restrictions.
Mayor Tony Herbert said it would make an already beautiful space in Australia's most livable city so much better.
Cr Neoh said walking tracks were traditionally focused on the ocean, and that had left the city's rivers in a natural state.
The plan had the unanimous backing of councillors.
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