Emerald Lake Park: Cardinia Shire Council unveils $12.13m upgrade plan for beloved site

A popular park home to steam train Puffing Billy is in line for a huge $12.13m upgrade, with more attractions planned for families – and there’s a push to make parking free.

A $12.13m masterplan has been unveiled for Emerald Lake Park, with a number of upgrades planned, including removing the current wading pool in favour of a water play area. Picture: Steve Tanner

A new water play park and adventure playground is part of a huge makeover plan for the “ageing” Emerald Lake precinct, home to famous Puffing Billy Railway.

Cardinia Shire councillors recently endorsed a $12.13m upgrade plan for the precinct, including Emerald Lake Park, labelled “one of the jewels in the crown” of the area, that attracts international and domestic tourists.

Councillors have endorsed the Emerald Lake Precinct Masterplan, which recommends

introducing a new regional scale playground, including a water play park.

Stage 1 of the plan will include:

– Upgrade of the playspace (playground, water play and public toilets)

– Large new shelter and picnic area with new toilets including the removal of the existing ELP Cafe

– New exercise hub for all ages and abilities

– Expression of Interest (for external investment) for the waterside cafe

– Improvements to the Lakeside carpark including more parking spaces, alignment of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail (EDRT), carpark lighting and infrastructure to support food vans

– Renewal of the Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre seating, and

– New arbour (pergola) to support the wisteria in Nobelius Heritage Park.

The new water play space would involve removing the current wading pool, which is ageing and requires “significant capital investment” to bring it up to standard, and replacing it with things like water sprays and pumps. Further investigation and community engagement will take place on the design of the water playspace.

Emerald station, one of the stops on Puffing Billy’s route, is located in Emerald Lake Park.

The playground is set to include attractions like a double flying fox, a climbing pole forest, and tree top cubby walk.

Stage 1 of the plan, set to cost about $5.3m, will begin in the 2023/4 financial year, subject to council endorsement in its annual budget in June.

Cr Brett Owen said the park was one of the jewels in the crown of Cardinia, and was popular with international and domestic tourists.

Cr Owen said as a tourist attraction and regional park it would be an excellent candidate for government funding to help bring the masterplan to life.

Tracy Dasler's stunning photo of autumn at Emerald Lake Park.

Cr Collin Ross said the park was in need of some upgrades.

“It is an absolute gem of a place but it does look a bit tired,” he said.

“It is an amazing place, it is a real treasure in our Shire.”

Locals are also pushing for the council to scrap parking fees in the park for people who live in the area.

During the council’s community consultation 14 people provided feedback that paying carparking fees to use their local park was unfair and that it was a barrier for locals to visit, particularly for families who would like to have regular, free access to the play facilities.

Emerald Lake has been a popular swimming spot for years. The old diving tower at the lake. Picture Rose Series, The State Library of Victoria

The submissions from the Emerald Village Association and Puffing Billy Railway also advocated for free carparking.

Cardinia residents can currently purchase an annual parking pass for $10.

The council has considered this feedback in preparation of its 2023/24 fees and charges which will be considered as part of its annual budget due to be adopted in June.

It currently costs $2 for up to two hours to park and $6 for two hours or more.

The upgrade of Emerald Lake Park comes as Cardinia Shire unveiled the completion of a new section of trail along Puffing Billy Railway.

The multi-use Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail runs alongside Emerald’s famous Puffing Billy Railway, providing locals and tourists alike with the chance to enjoy the scenic views from a completed path.

A further 800m of trail was recently completed in Clematis.

The Clematis extension forms part of the 14.5km multi-use trail, running from Gembrook to Cockatoo.

This completes Cardinia Shire Council’s involvement in the project with future connections to continue in the Yarra Ranges local government area.

The Puffing Billy Train of Lights will return again this month.

And the famous steam train will soon light up the night again in spectacular fashion, with the popular Train of Lights running from June 23 – July 9.

The event, which is now sold out, will see the steam train adorned with thousands of dazzling lights and stunning visual effects.