Revitalising Yan Yean Reservoir

Yan Yean Reservoir is Melbourne’s oldest water supply reservoir and has traditionally been a closed catchment. The surrounding land is home to a variety of native plants and animals and the Yan Yean Reservoir Park currently provides picnic areas and walking tracks for community use. Recognising that there may be opportunities to increase recreational use and enhance visitation to the site, Melbourne Water was keen to explore options with the community.

Capire designed and delivered an engagement program to promote and inspire the community to think of potential recreation uses the reservoir could offer in the future, as well as understand what the community currently value about Yan Yean Reservoir. The project’s challenge was to engage community members who may be interested in frequenting the Yan Yean reservoir for recreational purposes, whilst ensuring the protection of the site’s original purpose and the natural environment.

The program included a project website, a series of pop-up sessions, site tours and a community workshop. The site visits were a first for Melbourne Water and were very popular with both tours booked out. These were invaluable as they helped the community to visualise new opportunities for the site. The community workshop had a diverse mix of residents, community groups, organisational representatives, and project partners. Approximately 936 participants were engaged and provided a wide variety of ideas.

Community ideas will be considered in the development of the Yan Yean Reservoir Draft Master Plan.