The Knob Reserve Master Plan
The Knob Reserve is a place of deep cultural significance. For thousands of years, it was a gathering ground for the five Gunaikurnai clans – a shared space rich in stories, ceremony and connection. Many artefacts remain here today and caring for The Knob Reserve means protecting that heritage.
We’re working with the Knob Reserve Committee of Management and Aspect Studios to develop a Master Plan – a guide for how we’ll care for and plan for this special place into the future. You can look at the first draft of this Master Plan below.
The Knob Reserve Master Plan is a bit like a future planning guide. It will help us respect, protect and celebrate the reserve’s cultural and environmental values.
It will also ensure people can continue to enjoy everything they love about the area – safely, sustainably and for generations to come.
Got questions? Check out the FAQs below. You can also find more information about Joint Management and The Knob Reserve on our website.
FAQs
What is The Knob Reserve Master Plan?
We are working with The Knob Reserve Committee of Management and Aspect Studios to develop a Master Plan – a guide for how we’ll care for and plan for this special place into the future. The Master Plan will include an in-depth site analysis and a deep dive into design drivers and opportunities. It will also provide practical recommendations and guidance for future design projects that will help protect, respect and celebrate the cultural and environmental importance of The Knob Reserve.
Our aim in creating this plan is to reduce damage to these important values, while encouraging people to enjoy the area for recreation.
The final plan will reflect Gunaikurnai values, support a healthy environment and help keep the area strong and enjoyable for future generations. We expect the plan to be finished by the end of March 2026, after which time we will seek funding to bring it to life.
Why is it important to protect cultural and environmental values here?
The Knob Reserve is part of a living cultural landscape with a powerful history.
Caring for Country means protecting both what can be seen — like scarred trees and artefact scatters — and what can’t be seen, like stories and spirit. Cultural sites are not always obvious. Some are only found once proper surveys take place. Once these things are damaged, they’re hard to bring back. Even well-meaning activity can accidentally cause harm.
The same duty of care applies to the environment. The Master Plan will guide the regeneration of this important natural setting and strengthen biodiversity and habitat connections across the surrounding landscape.
At its heart, the Master Plan is about protecting culture and environment — so this place remains strong, for everyone, now and into the future.
Will I still be able to access the whole reserve?
Yes – but in some cases access may change. If cultural sites are identified, those areas may need extra protection – just as environmental protection zones already exist in other public reserves. But we are not pre-emptively closing areas. Instead, we want to map activities with stakeholders, so we can agree on where things can continue safely, and where adjustments need to be made.
Can I keep using the tracks and facilities I currently use?
Some informal tracks and infrastructure have caused environmental or cultural impacts — even if unintentionally. We are assessing them all and working out what needs modifying. In some cases, existing track or facility use may continue — but under agreed conditions, so that everyone is clear on their rights and responsibilities.
We’ve been using the Reserve for a long time – why do access arrangements now need to be formalised?
Under Joint Management, the Reserve must remain accessible to everyone – no group can hold space in a way that excludes others. Informal arrangements can cause confusion and conflict over time. A formal, respectful agreement reduces uncertainty — protecting all parties by making expectations clear. It’s simply the next step in managing the reserve fairly and consistently into the future.
This is a great place to ride horses and bikes. Will I still be able to ride here?
Yes. Horse riding, and trail bike riding is allowed in the reserve if you stay on the existing vehicle tracks. Environmental and other values can be damaged when riders use informal tracks or go cross-country.
How can I have input?
Public submissions to the Knob Reserve Master Plan closed on February 28.
When will I see any changes on the ground?
We’re still in the planning stage. Once the Master Plan is complete, we will seek funding to bring it to life. As soon as that support is secured, we’ll begin work on the ground.
