Light Up – Nature Into Art Project proposal for Yarra Ranges

Two sites in the Yarra Ranges could be transformed into amazing light displays under the cover of darkness in a bid to draw more tourists to the area.

The dam wall at Maroondah Reservoir Park in Healesville could be transformed into a living art display under a new plan to draw more tourists to the Yarra Ranges.

Yarra Ranges Tourism, with the support of the state government, is investigating the potential opportunity to develop an immersive light and sensory experience within the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges through its Light-Up Nature into Art (LUNA) project.

The project would be similar to other popular night-time light experiences including Lightscape at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Moama Lights and the Gertrude Street Projection Festival.

The Gertrude Street Projection Festival is an example of a successful night-time light display.

The Maroondah Reservoir Park and Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens in Sherbrooke are being considered as potential sites in the Yarra Ranges.

The experiences normally include artistic light installations, projections, and other sensory experiences.

The Yarra Ranges project would incorporate local cultural, environmental and creative concepts, including First Nations narratives.

Examples of night-time art installations. Picture: Yarra Ranges Tourism

A key aim of the project is to drive additional overnight visitation to the region.

If the idea goes ahead, Yarra Ranges Tourism would work to bring the project to life over the next few years.

Yarra Ranges Tourism chief executive Simon O’Callaghan said the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges had long been known as Melbourne’s playground, and this experience would add to that.

“We want to make sure that we continue to offer world-class contemporary experiences,” he said.

“A key aspect of this is transitioning day trippers to overnight stays to disperse some of this growing visitation more broadly across the week.

“The LUNA business case that is being funded by the state government and Yarra Ranges Tourism is investigating two sites that would benefit from an uplift that would be a terrific community outcome as well as improving the experience for visitors to support our night-time economy through accommodation and places to eat.

“If feasible, the project will identify the infrastructure and maintenance improvements needed, models for curating the right night experiences with the aim of supporting the sustainability of local jobs.”

LUNA would implement the latest research and technology to reduce any potential

negative impacts from lighting on wildlife.

The Little Projector Company will be working on-site at the Maroondah Reservoir Park and Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens to test audiovisual and creative concept options over three evenings in April. Due to their technical nature, the tests are not open to the public.

Yarra Ranges residents are being urged to have their say on the proposal.