A man's body has been found at Redan Wetlands, south of Ballarat's CBD, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Emergency services were called to the wetlands near Wallaby Track at approximately 1:30pm on Thursday, 9 July 2026, after reports that a deceased man had been located in the water. Victoria Police attended the scene and secured parts of the area while initial investigations were carried out.
Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. A report will be prepared for the coroner as investigations continue into the man's identity and the circumstances leading to his death. Authorities have also appealed to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.
The discovery occurred in an area popular with walkers and locals. Police activity was visible around sections of the wetlands, including areas near the Yarrowee River, although much of the surrounding area remained accessible to members of the public.
The Redan Wetlands area has recently been undergoing environmental improvement works aimed at improving water quality, supporting biodiversity and enhancing community open space. The Redan Creek Wetlands project has included sediment removal and restoration work designed to improve natural filtration and reduce pollutants flowing into waterways.
Authorities have not released further details about the deceased man, including his age or identity, while formal identification processes and investigations continue.
Police investigations into unexplained deaths commonly involve gathering information from witnesses, reviewing circumstances surrounding the discovery and preparing findings for the coroner. The coroner will later determine whether further investigation or an inquest is required.
Local residents expressed concern following the discovery, with many describing the wetlands as a peaceful community location regularly used for walking, recreation and enjoying nature. The incident has drawn attention from the Ballarat community as police continue their inquiries.
Victoria Police have encouraged anyone who was in the area around the time of the discovery, or anyone with information that may assist investigators, to come forward.
