The Bluff Master Plan
The Bluff, also referred to as Kongkengguwarr or Longkewar by our First Nations people, is a much loved and iconic Victor Harbor landmark. It has significant environmental, economic, heritage and cultural value. In recognition of this, the City of Victor Harbor, in collaboration with landscape architecture and urban design firm Hatch, is working to develop a master plan that sets out a shared vision for this iconic place.
The development of this master plan is both exciting and important. It provides us with a tool that will help us protect the things that our community most values about The Bluff at the same time as identifying opportunities to enhance this very special place in a way that reflects the shared community vision.
Throughout May 2022 the project team completed an extensive consultation through which we heard the views, stories and opinions of around 900 voices. Through these conversations some clear themes emerged that really supported the idea of limiting development but implementing a number of enhancements that are sympathetic to the natural environment. Things like making trails safer, providing more seating, defined spaces to take in the views and contemplate, looking at opportunities to share cultural stories and narrative, and re-wilding areas were just some of the common ideas.
Community Design Workshops
As a part of the first phase of community engagement, Community Design Workshops were held at the Coral Street Art Space on 27 and 28 May 2022. The workshops were an opportunity for community members to explore ideas, discuss issues and identify opportunities for The Bluff.
Photo credit: Heidi Wolff Photography
In addition to the conversations with community, the project team engaged with a range of key stakeholders from a range of backgrounds including environment and ecology, disability access and inclusion and First Nations groups.
The engagement undertaken for this project was underpinned by a collaborative approach with community and stakeholders. The development of the plan started with a blank canvas and has been built around community and stakeholder conversations and rigorous investigations. This process has certainly been valued by the majority of community and there were a number of responses within the feedback to support this.
"It has been a great process and very much appreciated to have been involved. People have been listened [to] with feedback taken on board, the people I have spoken to are excited by this plan. The consultants have done a fantastic job to balance out the loud voices from the quiet ones and create a user-friendly plan. Well done!"
View The Bluff Master Plan Community Engagement Key Findings Report (Phase 1)
View The Bluff Master Plan Community Engagement Findings Report (Phase 2)
Adoption and Implementation
The Bluff Master Plan was formally adopted by Council on 26 June 2023.
The plan will commence being used as a resource for guiding any actions, projects or activities within The Bluff Reserve. In terms of capital improvements, an initial allocation of $100,000 has been included within the Council's 2023/24 Annual Business Plan. It is expected that the first action will be the accessible viewing platform and rest stop (within Zone 3 of the Master Plan) that overlooks Petrel Cove and Kings Beach.
Keep up to date with the latest project news at Your Say Victor Harbor.