Briars Master Plan

Image Source: Virtual Sorrento

In what is the largest property owned and run by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, with the 8-hectare heritage precinct co-owned with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), The Briars will undergo changes to keep what is already loved and bring in some new, carefully considered experiences that allow more people to enjoy the Briars.

The Briars consists of a wildlife sanctuary, heritage buildings, significant Aboriginal sites, nursery, school camp, a children’s workshop and a restaurant.

A draft plan was placed on public exhibition in May last year and received a big response, with much of the feedback from the community was very positive and built excitement for the project.

Image Source: Mornington Peninsula Shire

In what is already an engaging space, see below for some amendments and upgrades to the property:

• Visitor Centre adding a dedicated education space and cafe.
• Amending accessible picnic spaces with a Tichin-Gorourke Children’s Garden (Tichin-Gorourke is the Boon Wurrung word for voice of many frogs),
• All abilities access and added barbeque areas.
• Additional 13ha of vineyard allowed for vines.
• Wildlife Sanctuary will receive 20ha for wildlife encounters and 40-50ha of the broadacres will be revegetated to extend the Sanctuary which will include additional walking track.
• Additional accessible track to be created around the wetlands
• Tree-top boardwalk (Sky Walk) will be added
• Restoration of the Heritage Homestead, with artefacts, furniture and other interpretive elements will be added to improve the experience.
• Expansion to Josephine’s Restaurant
• Briars Nursery to receive improve retail and growing space
• The Community Forrest to receive a possible extension - to be further explored post-2030

Mayor Cr Sam Hearn expressed his gratitude to all involved “I would like to thank all those who provided their thoughts during the consultation process. These conversations will continue throughout the next stages of the process, as we continue to work together to ensure that the Briars is a place of retreat and rejuvenation that lifts the spirits and delights the hearts of our community for many generations to come!”

Image Source: Visit Victoria

In what is already a welcoming space for native flora and fauna, the new vision for The Briars will certainly make it space for everyone to enjoy, not only today but into the future as well.

For more details on The Briars Masterplan visit the link here.

Have you had your own master plan come to fruition? Done some renovations and are thinking how much value it’s added to your property? Then get an appraisal done by our team today!