Singleton Council was presented with the master plan on Monday night and gave it the thumbs up to go on exhibition for the public to consider.

There are big plans for the reserve, with rehabilitation set to commence from where it meets the Hunter River right through to Pioneer Road.

The catalyst behind the rehabilitation was the reinforcement of the numbers of river red gum trees, which are uncommon in the Hunter.

To help with the numbers, a planting scheme has been introduced, with the third session held on National Tree Planting Day at the end of last month.

However, the tree planting is not the extent of the work to be done in the reserve, which will become one of Singleton’s most impressive recreational areas if the work goes ahead.

According to Singleton Council’s manager of parks and facilities, Alan Fletcher, improvements for the reserve include cycleways and pedestrian links that tie in with council’s bike plan and provide connectivity to other park areas.

There will also be interpretive signage, an open space area for recreation activities, picnic tables, a groundsman’s storage shed, and a bird hide, which is a sheltered area where people can observe the area’s fauna up close.

There is also a possibility for a bridge over the Hunter River that would connect with Combo Lane.

Mr Fletcher said measures were being put in place to mitigate the chance of bushfire due to the increased level of vegetation.

“We have identified where the danger areas are and we will be looking to clear and slash areas to provide a buffer to nearby residences,” he said.

Mr Fletcher said the development of the master plan came after an extensive consultation period, which included groups such as Landcare, Tidy Towns, the Hunter Catchment Manage-ment Authority, the Singleton Scouts and other interested members of the community.

The draft plan will be put on public exhibition for the next four weeks, and Mr Fletcher urged interested Singleton residents to inspect the plan and provide feedback.

Following the period of public exhibition, a further report will be presented to council to consider any submissions.

The master plan is available to be viewed at Singleton Council’s administrative offices in Civic Avenue.