Gardiners Creek - Kooyongkoot master plan
- Project typeMaster plan implementation
In September 2020, Council adopted the Gardiners Creek - KooyongKoot master plan(PDF, 45MB) - the blueprint to revitalising the Gardiners Creek corridor within Stonnington.
Gardiners Creek - Kooyongkoot is a significant waterway within Stonnington that provides an important biodiversity corridor, highly valued open space, is a key commuter route, delivers recreation hubs, Indigenous heritage and public transport links.
Open space along the waterway, and within the scope of the master plan, accounts for 45 per cent of all open space in the City of Stonnington.
The Gardiners Creek - KooyongKoot master plan is a unique opportunity for the City of Stonnington to set a new benchmark for waterway health, biodiversity initiatives and active transport and recreation infrastructure that will deliver positive long-lasting community outcomes.
The master plan area extends 8.7km from where Gardiners Creek meets the Yarra River in Kooyong through to Warrigal Road in Malvern East and, as well as the creek itself, takes in significant passive and active recreation spaces such as Sir Zelman Cowen Park and sportsgrounds, Tooronga Park, Gardiner Park, Glenburn Bend Park, TH King Oval, Glen Iris Wetlands, Glen Iris Park, East Malvern Tennis Club, Darling Park and the Malvern Valley Golf Course.
Due to the scale and diverse use of spaces within the Gardiners Creek master plan area site specific designs have been developed based on geographic zones:
- Zone 1 – Monash Freeway
- Zone 2 – Sir Zelman Cowen Park
- Zone 3 – Tooronga Park
- Zone 4 – Tooronga Road to Burke Road
- Zone 5 – Burke Road to Elm Road
- Zone 6 – Glenburn Bend Park
- Zone 7 – TH King and Glen Iris wetlands
- Zone 8 – Darling Park (Dunlop Street to Winton Road)
Gardiners Creek Trail
Extending through all zones is the Gardiners Creek Trail, a significant shared user path with a direct connection to the city and popular with commuter cyclists and recreational users.
The trail will be upgraded in stages, commencing in the 2024/25 financial year with the portion of trail in Zone 8 from Dunlop Street to Winton Road.
Current projects
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ADVANCE NOTICE OF WORKS
Gardiners Creek (Kooyongkoot) trail upgrade
In 2025, we are upgrading the Gardiners Creek trail (shared user path) between Dunlop Street and Winton Road.
The project will deliver a safer and better user experience with a wider shared path, new consistent surface, environmentally sensitive lighting, signage and line marking.
The project is being delivered by the City of Stonnington in partnership with the Victorian Government.
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| Project type |
Shared user path upgrade |
| Project status |
Construction pending |
| Scope of works |
- Widen path
- New path surface
- Lighting
- Signage
- Line marking
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| Construction timeline |
2025 (actual dates TBC) |
| Contact |
City of Stonnington
Urban Design team
E: urbandesign@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Emergency (all hours)
P: 8290 1333
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Projects by zone
Due to the scale and diverse use of spaces within the Gardiners Creek - Kooyongkoot master plan, the implementation plan is split into eight zones with concept designs developed for each.
Zones and aspirations
Zone 1 | Monash Freeway
Relies heavily on advocacy to third parties, including Melbourne Water and VicRoads.
The concept design considers opportunities to improve the user experience on existing cyclist/pedestrian infrastructure and the potential to transform the creek through naturalisation and habitat creation.
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Zone 2 |Sir Zelman Cowen Park
Zone 2 takes in the Gardiners Creek corridor from Glenferrie to Toorak roads and covers Sir Zelman Cowen Park (Zone 2A) and Talbot Crescent (Zone 2B).
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Zone 2A | Sir Zelman Cowen Park
Sir Zelman Cowen Park is subject to further master planning in 2024/25 after which we will seek community feedback.
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Zone 2B | Talbot Crescent
The concept design for the Talbot Crescent portion contains key elements for passive recreation:
- raingarden to treat stormwater and create habitat
- trees and garden bed planting
- picnic and barbecue facilities
- new fitness equipment
- upgrade shared user path.
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Zone 2B | Before
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Zone 2B | After
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Zone 3 | Tooronga Park
The concept design considers the redevelopment of Tooronga Park for active and passive recreation within a wetland habitat. Key elements of the concept design:
- new wetland to treat stormwater
- boardwalks and observation decks
- shelters, picnic and barbecue facility and park furniture
- lawn area with garden beds and tree planting
- basketball and netball hoops, ping-pong and scooter/BMX track
- fitness equipment
- upgrade shared user path.
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Before
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After
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Zone 4 | Tooronga Road to Burke Road
The concept design for this zone aims to enhance the area through revegetation and habitat creation.
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Zone 5 | Burke Road to Elm Road
The primary focus for this zone is user experience, safety and environmental advocacy. Key elements of the concept design:
- new fitness equipment
- new furniture and seating
- upgrade shared user path.
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Zone 6 | Glenburn Bend Park
Focus is on opportunities to increase park usage and participation, while enhancing the existing character and ecology. Key elements of the concept design:
- formalising the car park entrance
- upgrading the gravel and access path network
- establish informal trails with discovery nodes and park furniture
- develop creek lookout points and create visual connection to the creek
- new buffer and habitat planting.
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Before
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After
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Zone 7 |TH King and Glen Iris Wetlands
This zone has been split into two areas – TH King Oval and the Glen Iris Wetlands.
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Zone 7A | TH King
The TH King Oval concept design is about improving the connection to the creek and improving the space for park visitors. Key elements:
- improve access, upgrade and realign pathways
- park furniture, sports seating, shelter, picnic and barbecue
- upgrade playground
- upgrade shared user path.
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Before
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After
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Zone 7B | Glen Iris Wetlands
Design for the Glen Iris Wetlands focuses on the northern end to improve the user experience and provide opportunities for education and participation. Key elements:
- picnic facilities and decking along the creek
- educational hub with lookout to the creek
- upgrade pedestrian path and interpretive signage
- upgrade shared user path.
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Before
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After
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Zone 8 | Darling Park (Dunlop Street to Winton Road)
The plan for this zone is to enhance local connections, create new habitat, and expand current picnic and play offerings. Key elements of the concept design:
- improve accessibility
- new shelter, barbecue and park furniture
- new nature playground
- treat car park stormwater through water sensitive urban design
- upgrade shared user path.
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Before
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After
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Basil Street master plan
Zone 8 also contains a parcel of land between the East Malvern RSL and the creek. Currently operating as a temporary park we are looking to develop this land through a master plan process, Basil Street master plan.
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Timeline
| TBA |
Construction of Zones other than those mentioned below. |
2026/27
2027/28 |
Construction of Zone 3 - Tooronga Park |
| 2025/26 |
Construction of Zone 2B - Talbot Crescent |
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2025
Ongoing
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Construction of Gardiners Creek trail (shared user path) between Dunlop Street and Winton Road.
Construction of further sections of Gardiners Creek Trail (shared user path) until entire length within Stonnington is renewed.
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| August 2024 |
Community engagement on Basil Street master plan |
| August 2024 |
Community engagement on concept designs for all Zones with the Gardiners Creek - Kooyongkoot master plan corridor |
| September 2020 |
Council adopt Gardiners Creek - Kooyonkoot master plan |
| July/August 2020 |
Community engagement on draft Gardiners Creek - Kooyonkoot master plan |
Consultation
In August 2024, we're consulting on concept designs developed for each zone within the Gardiners Creek - Kooyongkoot master plan corridor.
To view the consultation opportunity and outcome please visit our Connect Stonnington engagement hub.