Barwon River Loop Walk
Information updated 14 March 2024
Designs for stage two development of the Barwon River Loop are almost complete, and construction is expected to start mid-2024.
Stage two, north of the Princes Highway bluestone bridge, will link with the previously completed stage one to the south creating a two-kilometre path connecting Winchelsea’s four quadrants and better connecting the community with the river environment.
A pedestrian bridge will replace an existing culvert crossing near Armytage Street and viewing platforms will be installed on both banks of the river between the two bridges.
The western bank of the Barwon River is Eastern Maar Country, and the eastern bank is Wadawurrung Country.
A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is now in place for the stage two project.
Council has been working with Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole and Eastern Maar Gulidjan artist Ebony Hickey, who have each designed artwork to feature on steel cut panels which will form balustrades on the viewing platforms.
Billy-Jay O’Toole’s work will depict the Barwon River and tributaries running through Wadawurrung Country, with large circles symbolising Wadawurrung People gathering and living a sustained life on Country.
“The lines that connect them all are the tracks across country that lead us to all the resources that are required to live on country,” he says.
Ebony Hickey’s work will welcome people to the Gulidjan Meerreeng of the Maar Nation, the side of the Burrumn, Barwon River, where the sun sets every evening.
“As the watercourse flows we remember the pathways our creator spirits laid for our waterways, the life and abundant bio-cultural landscape that has been created here,” she says.
“We acknowledge the parreeyt, water, as lifeblood and treat it as kin, as its presence nourishes and grows us.”
Pictured left, viewing platform Eastern Maar design by Ebony Hickey. Pictured right, Wadawurrung design by Billy-Jay O'Toole.
Stage one of the Barwon River loop has proven popular with Winchelsea community and visitors, particularly with the addition of a pedestrian bridge at the bottom of Hesse Street.
A construction contractor for stage two work will be appointed following a public tender process.
Pedestrian bridge design.
Existing culvert crossing.
Download the preliminary design document(PDF, 1MB)
(contact Council if you need help accessing the document)