The City of Ballarat has set aside a provisional $2.2 million to complete a facelift of the ailing reserve. 

Major works could include a $1 million redevelopment of the Black Hill lookout, improved mountain bike trails and new wetlands at the foot of the reserve, new toilets and creating access to historical features of the reserve where safe.

The upper car park of the lookout will be redeveloped with space for 30 vehicles and buses, along with new barbecue shelters and picnic facilities. 

The Black Hill reserve masterplan suggests the project is “subject to funding” and could be “implemented progressively over a 10 to 20-year period”.

At the recent council meeting, council city strategy general manager Natalie Reiter said the broad timeline had been outlined because funding to complete the works was not in the council’s current capital expenditure.

However, Ms Reiter said there was scope for external funding and extended submissions during budget time, which could speed up the development.

Black Hill resident and progress association president Andrew Dean urged the community to lobby the City of Ballarat for a shorter development timeframe.

Residents were invited to provide written feedback on the draft plan by October 29. 

Submissions can be emailed to adamparrott@ballarat.vic.gov.au or posted to the City of Ballarat, PO Box 655.