Jack Smith Lake Landscape Design Plan
Jack Smith Lake and McGaurans Beach are special places for hunting, fishing, camping and connecting with the outdoors. They’re also part of a living cultural landscape that holds deep meaning for Gunaikurnai people.
That’s why we’re working with Parks Victoria, the Game Management Authority and Aspect Studios to develop a Landscape Design Plan.
This is all about protecting cultural and environmental values while making sure people can keep enjoying this area for years to come.
The plan should be ready by the end of 2025, but right now, we’d love to hear from you.
How do you use the area? What matters most to you? What ideas do you have to help look after it?
This is your chance to help shape what happens next. Let us know your thoughts below.
Got questions? Check out the FAQs below.
FAQs
What is Jack Smith Lake?
Jack Smith Lake State Game Reserve is a special place for Gunaikurnai people. It was traditionally used for hunting and as a spot where our ancestors would come together. These days, it’s managed by Parks Victoria.
Why does it need a Landscape Design Plan?
More and more people are visiting Jack Smith Lake Reserve and McGaurans Beach to hunt, fish, camp and connect with the outdoors. We know how important these activities are, but growing visitor pressure is putting strain on the area’s cultural and environmental values — especially at busy times. The Landscape Design Plan is about caring for it now, before damage becomes too great.
Why is protecting cultural and environmental values so important here?
Jack Smith Lake and McGaurans Beach are part of a living cultural landscape with a powerful history. For us, caring for Country means protecting both what can be seen — like middens and artefact scatters — and what can’t be seen, like stories, songlines and spirit. At the same time, this is a fragile environment that supports native plants, wildlife and waterways. Once these things are damaged, they’re hard to bring back. That’s why the Landscape Design Plan puts cultural and environmental protection at its core — so that this place stays strong, for everyone, now and into the future.
This is a great place to hunt. Will I still be able to hunt here?
Yes. We know that it is a great place to hunt! In fact, Jack Smith Lake has been a hunting ground for the Gunaikurnai people for thousands of years. Today, hunters still value this place, and we get that. The Landscape Design Plan is about making sure hunting can continue here, but in a way that respects the cultural significance of the area and helps protect Country for the future.
Will I still be able to camp at Jack Smith Lake Reserve?
Yes. This Landscape Design Plan isn’t about stopping or preventing any recreational activities. It’s about protecting this place so it can continue to be shared and enjoyed into the future.
What’s the reason for making changes, and how might they affect me?
Visitor numbers are growing, and that’s putting real pressure on cultural sites, wildlife and the health of the landscape. To protect what makes this place special, some changes may be needed — like using a different track or adjusting how we access certain areas. It’s not about stopping people from coming, it’s about making sure we can all keep enjoying it for years to come. We’ll know more once the Landscape Design Plan is finalised. In the meantime – let us know your thoughts via the contact form above.
I’ve been coming here to hunt for years and always tried to do the right thing. Why does anything need to change?
We know many hunters play an active role in looking after Jack Smith Lake — keeping an eye on the place, maintaining tracks, and showing respect for the land. The Landscape Design Plan is about building on that care, working together to protect what makes this place special so it’s still here for the next generation.
I come here all the time. Can I be involved?
Yes. If you’ve been coming here for years, you know this place in a way that matters, and we want to hear from you. Your knowledge of tracks, seasons, species and conditions can help shape a plan that works on the ground. Share your thoughts via the contact form above.
Is this just going to be a top-down plan with lots of rules?
No. This isn’t just about maps and management zones — it’s about listening to the people who know how this place works. If you use the area regularly, your knowledge is important in shaping a plan that’s practical, respectful and grounded in real experience.
Will this plan consider how people actually use the area?
Yes. That’s the point. The Landscape Design Plan is about understanding what’s already happening on the ground — where people go, how they use the space, and what matters to them. Your insights can help make sure the plan reflects reality, not just what’s on paper.
How can I have input?
We’d love to hear how you use the area, what matters most to you about this place, and any ideas you have for helping to look after it. This is a chance to be part of shaping what happens next — and to make sure recreational users are part of the solution. You can let us know your thoughts in the contact form above.
When will I see any changes?
We’re still in the planning stage and expect the Landscape Design Plan to be finalised by the end of 2025. Once that’s complete, we will seek funding to bring the plan to life. As soon as support is secured, we’ll begin work on the ground.
How will I know when on-ground works are going to start?
We don’t have a start date yet, but there’ll be on-site signage put up ahead of any works. We’re working closely with Parks Victoria and the Game Management Authority— so it’s also worth keeping an eye on their websites for updates.
