Neerim South - Tarago Reservoir Park
Tarago Reservoir Park offers a setting for a picnic or barbecue with family and friends. The picnic area has sloping lawns set amongst bush settings, with (limited) views of the reservoir and surrounding landscapes.
Facilities include BBQs, shelter and toilets.
History:
Tarago Reservoir Park was officially opened in 1969 after construction of the reservoir progressed through the 1950's and 1960's. The reservoir holds a maximum volume of 38,000 megalitres. Up until Melbourne Water was created in 1991, the Tarago Reservoir used to supply water to the Mornington Peninsula and West Gippsland areas. Due to the blue green algal bloom in 1991 and poor water quality compared to other catchments, water supplies to the Mornington Peninsula currently come from Cardinia Reservoir.
For the townships that are supplied water from Tarago Reservoir, the water quality from the reservoir has been improved by holding the water for longer periods and releasing only a small percentage of the reservoir's total capacity. This allows suspended solids in the water to settle out, resulting in clearer and cleaner water. In the future, Tarago Reservoir will once again be relied on to contribute to the supply of water to the growing water demand on the Mornington Peninsula therefore She water quality will continue to improve.
The 114 sq km Tarago catchment is located about 85 km east of Melbourne. The catchment generates runoff into the Tarago reservoir as well as supporting a diverse range of commercial activities including forestry, dairying, beef, sheep, deer and potato cropping.
The Tarago catchment contains 86 sq km State Forest, managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and 28 sq km of privately owned farmland. Water enters the reservoir through a network of local creeks but the major source is the Tarago River.
Nitrate and phosphorus may occur in streams as by-products of the decay organic wastes or as a result of runoff from fertilised areas. Both can adversely affect water quality by encouraging harmful vegetation growth such as water weeds and blue green algae.
In the pursuit for improving the water quality of Tarago Reservoir, Melbourne Water is working in cooperation with local landowners and stakeholders to improve catchment land management practices.
Opening Hours:
The park is open at 8:30am all year round and closes at 6:00pm from April to September and 8:00pm from October to March.
Review:
From the car park area, which has a basic information board, steps lead down to the sloping grassy area which has toilets, a shelter with BBQ and two nearby unshaded tables (one without seats), a second shelter with two tables and BBQ plus a third shelter with a BBQ. There are seven unshaded tables spread across the grassy area.
The reservoir is fenced off with no access to the public and very limited views of the water. Facilities feel very old and rundown.
Photos:
Location
Tarago Reservoir Road, Neerim South 3831 Map
Web Links
→ Tarago Reservoir Park (Parks Victoria)
