Strategy 2012-2022 · Open space vision, goals and principles 16 4. Emerging issues for open space...

Open Space Strategy 2012-2022

About this document

This document is the Open Space Strategy for the City of Moreland. The Strategy has been prepared by Moreland City Council with assistance from @leisure.

Acknowledgements

Moreland City Council acknowledges the traditional owners of the land, the Kulin Nation, of which the local indigenous people are the Wurrundjeri.

Council is committed to building a trusting, collaborative and supportive relationship with indigenous groups, and to respecting identified Aboriginal sacred sites and special places.

Project manager: Clare Johnston, Open Space Planner & Design Officer

Contributions by Moreland City Councillors, Council officers and members of the Sustainable Moreland Advisory Group are gratefully acknowledged.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022

ContentsExecutive summary 4

1. Introduction 6

2. Context 12

3. Open space vision, goals and principles 16

4. Emerging issues for open space 20

5. The open space planning framework 32

6. Supply of open space in Moreland 36

Map1ProvisionofOpenSpace 42

Map2Publicopenspacebyprimaryfunction 43

Map3Publicopenspacebylandscapetype 44

Map4Indigenousvegetation 45

Map5Openspacestrategicpriorities 46

7. Demand for open space in Moreland 52

8. Key Goals and objectives 64

Goal1:Providingparksclosetohome 66

Goal2:Havingamixofopenspacetypesandexperiences 68

Goal3:Makingplacesfornature 72

Goal4:AgreenermoreliveableMoreland 74

Goal5:Makingthemostofopenspacethrougheffectivemanagement 77

Goal6:Enhancingparticipationanduseofopenspace 80

Goal7:Developmentofanetworkofsharedtrails 82

9. Implementation of the Strategy 86

10. Implementation Plan 90

11. Appendices 105

Appendix1:Planningandpolicycontext 106

Appendix2:Classificationsandcorelevelsofservice 118

Appendix3:Openspaceplanningprocessforresidentialareas 126

Appendix4:EnvironmentalweedsinMoreland 128

References 133

3

ExecutivesummaryTheMorelandOpenSpaceStrategysetsCouncilacohesivedirectionforthefutureprovision,planning,designandmanagementofpubliclyownedopenspacethatissetasideforleisure,recreationandnatureconservationpurposes.

Themainaimistopreserveandenhanceitsenvironmentalvaluesandprovideforfuturecommunityneeds.

TheStrategyrecognisesthevalueofopenspacenotmanagedorownedbyCouncil,includingparksandreservesthatabutCouncil’sboundaryinothermunicipalities,andotheropenspaceownedbyotheragencies.

4 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | Exectutive Summary

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | Executive Summary

Open space definitionForthepurposesofthisproject,openspaceisdefinedaspubliclandthathasaleisure,sport,landscapevalue,habitatconservation,environmentalorvisualamenityfunctionand/oriszonedorreservedforpublicparksorconservationpurposes.

Openspacemayincludesportsfields,conservationareas,playgrounds,recreationtrails,aswellaspubliclandthatmaybeprovidedfordrainageorutilitypurposes,thatisusedorvaluedforleisureandenvironmentalpurposes.

Itisacknowledgedthatopenspacemaynotalwaysbegreen;itmaybepaved,suchasinatownsquare,mallorplaza.

ThefocusofthisStrategyisonopenspacethatisownedormanagedbyCouncil.Wherepossiblethisplantakesintoaccountopenspacethatisaccessibletothecommunityandprovidedbyotheragencies,includingadjoiningCouncils’openspace.

ThisStrategydoesnotaddressopenspaceownedbyschools,howeveracknowledgesthepossibleuseofschoolgrounds(throughshareduseagreements)toprovideaccesstoopenspacewherethereisanidentifiedneed.

Structure of the StrategyThisOpenSpaceStrategysetsoutthekeyissuesarisingfollowingananalysisofdemandandopenspacesupply.Foreachkeyissueagoal,objectives,strategiesandactionshavebeenidentified.Sevenkeyopenspaceissuesareidentifiedinthisstrategy.Theseare:

1. Providingparksclosetohome

2. Havingamixofopenspacetypesandexperiences

3. Makingplacesfornature

4. AgreenermoreliveableMoreland

5. Makingthemostofopenspacethrougheffectivemanagement

6. Enhancingparticipationanduseofopenspace

7. Developmentofanetworkofsharedtrails

ThefollowingmapsaresuppliedthatshowcurrentpublicopenspaceinMoreland,andpriorityareasforadditionalprovision.

• Map1ProvisionofOpenSpace

• Map2Publicopenspacebyprimaryfunction

• Map3Publicopenspacebylandscapetype

• Map4Indigenousvegetation

• Map5Openspacestrategicpriorities

AnimplementationplanisprovidedinChapter 9: Implementation of the Strategy(page86)thatsummarisestheobjectives,strategiesandactionsforeachgoal,aswellasthetimeframeandresponsibledepartmentforeach.

Existing funding of open space worksAllcapitalprojectsdeliveredasaresultofthepreviousstrategyhavebeendirectlyfundedviaCouncilsPublicReserveandResortFund(PRRF)andexternalStateandFederalGovernmentfunding.

ApublicopenspacecontributionrequirementwasintroducedintotheMorelandPlanningScheme(atClause52.01)inSeptember2010.ItisthisscheduleofratesandsubsequentfinancialcontributionsfromdevelopersthatwilldefinethefutureannualincomeandcapacityofthePRRF.

The cost of implementing the Open Space StrategyItisenvisagedthebulkofcapitalprojectswillcontinuetobefundedviathePRRFhowever,theneedtoalsofundlandacquisitionfornewpublicopenspacewillreducetheannualopenspacedevelopmentcapitalprojectcapacityofthereservefundperiodically,unlesssupplementedthroughtheratebase.Thelevelofreservefundsandratefundsavailableforopenspacewillalsodeterminethelengthoftimerequiredtoimplementsignificantopenspacecapitalworks.

Thecostofmaintainingandmanagingnewpublicopenspacewithinactivitycentresandparksandrecreationreserverenewalprojectsmustbefactoredintotheannualoperationalbasebudgets.

5

1. Introduction

6 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 1. Introduction

Moreland has over 576 hectares of Council managed open space which makes up 177 reserves. This includes parks, natural areas along creeks, sporting grounds, playgrounds, grasslands, and reserves. Residents also use other spaces, such as the Fawkner Cemetery and rail reserves, as open space. Open space is used for picnics, gatherings of families/friends, enjoying nature, active and passive recreation and many other things.

WhatMorelandCityCouncilistryingtoachieveintheopenspacenetwork:

• Qualityofopenspace

• Awelcomingplace,attractiveandappealing

• Well-maintainedandclean,safeandsecure

• Accessibleandconnectedspaces

• Sustainablemanagementpractices

• Conservationandheritagevaluesprotected,includingbeingbiodiverse,supportingecologicalnetworks

• Communityinvolvement

• Lettingpeopleknowhowandwheretheycanuseopenspace

• Improvingourmanagementofspaces

• Promoteactivity,healthandwellbeingforcommunitybenefits.

Previous plansCouncil’sfirstOpenSpaceStrategywasadoptedin1996.Extensivecommunityconsultationwasundertakenaspartoftheproject.In2004thisstrategywasreviewedandtheprioritiesandactionsupdated.

SincethelastOpenSpaceStrategywasreviewedin2004,manyimprovementshavebeenmadetoMoreland’sparksfollowingtheStrategy’srecommendations.Theseinclude:

• HarmonyParkandskatefacilitydevelopment,Coburg

• ATCCookReserveupgrade,Glenroy

• ImplementationofthePlaygroundStrategy

• DevelopedshareduseofthegroundsofBoxForestSecondaryCollegeGlenroy&KODECollege

• ReviewoftheLandscapeDevelopmentGuidelines

• Reviewofexistingopenspaceconcept,masterandmanagementplanstocheckimplementationstatusanddirectiontoensurethattheyarestillrelevant

• Continuedorganisationand/orsupportofcommunityplantingevents

• CompletionofthefinalstageoftheJonesParkMasterPlan

• AnnualrolloutofthePlaygroundDevelopmentPlan

• RefurbishmentofTemplePark,Brunswick

• RefurbishmentofAnselmGrovePark,Glenroy

• CreationofanewparkatHadfieldTheatreSite–nowBartlettFamilyReserve

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 1. Introduction 7

• RefurbishmentplansforGillonOval,BrunswickParkandRaeburnReserve,BrunswickandCoburgLakeReservesinprogress

• PublicOpenSpaceContributionintroducedtoClause52.01oftheMorelandPlanningScheme

ThisStrategybuildsonCouncil’s2004OpenSpaceStrategywhichcontainedthefollowingrelevantpurposes:

• Reinforcelocalidentity,physicalcharacterandcivicprideinMoreland,influencingnewdevelopmentthatisdistinctlyMoreland

• Improvephysicalandsocialinclusion,includingaccessibilityandconnectionbetweenplacesforwildlife,recreation,walkingandcycling

• ProtectandenhancebiodiversityandecologicalhabitatsforMoreland’sfloraandfaunathroughdevelopingopenspacethatrespondstothisneed

• Provideforarangeofagegroupsinopenspace

• Aidurbanregeneration

• Boosttheeconomicpotentialoftourism,leisureandculturalactivities

• Providecultural,social,recreational,sportingandcommunityfacilities

• Protectandpromoteunderstandingofthehistoricalandculturalvalueofplaces

• Contributetothecreationofhealthyplaces,includingquietareas

• Providepopularoutdooreducationalfacilities

• Improveopportunitiestoenjoycontactwiththenaturalworld

Development of 2012 StrategyThepreparationofthisOpenSpaceStrategyhasinvolvedanumberoftasks,including:

• Reviewofthe2004OpenSpaceStrategy

• Demographicanddemandanalysis

• ConsultationwithCouncilstaff,includingtheJointPlannersforum

• CommunityconsultationincludingpertinentinformationfromtheMunicipalPublicHealthPlansurvey;reviewbytheSustainableMorelandAdvisoryGroup;communitysurveyonthedraftMOSSandconsultationwithresidents,MerriCreekManagementCommittee

• Mappingofallpublicopenspaceinthemunicipality

• Developmentofaclassificationsystemandcoreservicelevelsforpublicopenspace

• Analysisofthedistributionofspacesbyprimaryfunctionandlandscapesetting


Purpose of the open space strategyTheStrategyprovidesCouncilwiththeprioritiesforpublicopenspacesothatitcanplananddevelopitsopenspacetopreserveandenhanceitsenvironmentalvaluesandprovideforcommunityneeds.

ThestrategyrecognisesthevalueofopenspacenotmanagedorownedbyCouncil,includingparksandreservesthatabutCouncil’sboundaryinothermunicipalities.

TheMorelandOpenSpaceStrategyisamulti-functionalstrategythatreflectsawidelysharedvisionforMoreland.ItisastrategythatisimportantacrossanumberofCouncildepartments,thecommunityandothergovernmentstakeholdersandbusinesses.

ThecentralpurposesofthisStrategyareto:

• Understandsupplyanddemandforopenspaces;

• Toidentifydeficienciesofopenspace/andaccesstoopenspace;

• Tosecureappropriateadditionalopenspacewherepossible;

• Toprotectexistingopenspaceandit’svalues;and

• Toimproveitsqualitythroughbetterplanningandmanagement.

The2012OpenSpaceStrategywillbereviewedin2022withtheimplementationPlanbeingaccessedandupdatedevery3years.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 1. Introduction 9

The value of open space“Open space is not only for recreation and conservation of environmental and cultural values; it is the foundation of urban liveability. It underpins many social, ecological, and economic benefits that are essential to the healthy functioning of the urban environment” (Parks Victoria 2002, Linking People and Spaces).

Openspacemakesamajorcontributiontotheliveabilityofourcitiesandthehealthofpeopleworking,livingandrecreatinginourCity.Morespecifically,benefitsinclude:

• Providingspaceforoutdoorrecreationincludingorganisedsport,walking,cycling,children’splay,andpicnics

• Contributingtourbanamenity,includingstormwaterdrainageandprotectionfromflooding

• Improvingmentalandphysicalhealth–placesforrelaxation,stressrelief,exerciseandsocialising

• Protectingbiodiversityandotherenvironmentalassets,includinghabitatforwildlife

• Providingaresourceforeducation

• Contributingtocivicprideandsocialcohesion,includingimprovingtheaestheticappearanceofthemunicipalityandenhancingpropertyvaluesandprovidingamoreliveablecity

Theimportanceofphysicalactivitytopeople’sphysicalandmentalhealthiswellrecognisedanddocumented.

Peoplewhoareactivearemorelikelytolivelonger,havelowerriskofheartdiseaseandstroke,andarelesslikelytosufferstress,anxietyanddepression.Openspacethatisaccessibleandattractivealsoencouragesustoundertakevariousformsofexerciseaspartofourdailylives.

“Research evidence shows that close proximity to green spaces is clearly associated with reduced prevalence of depression, anxiety and other health problems. The relationship has been shown to be strongest for children and people with low incomes” 1

Parksandopenspacesprovidethemainopportunitiesforviewingandexperiencingnatureinanurbanarea.

Trendstowardsmoreintensivedevelopmentandincreasedwork-relatedstressindicateagrowingneedforthesegreenspaces.

Fromafinancialperspective,theCouncil-ownedpublicopenspacesrepresentasubstantialrealestateassetforthemunicipality.Manymillionsofdollarshavebeeninvestedindevelopingandmaintainingtheseareas,andthevalueoftheseassetsimprovestheoverallrealestatevalueofMoreland.

ThisStrategyseekstobuildonthisassetbase,andcontinuetoimproveitssocial,environmentalandeconomicvaluesfortheMorelandcommunity.

1. Townsend and Weerasuriya, 2010.


Open space is not only for recreation and conservation of environmental and cultural values; it is the foundation of urban liveability. It underpins many social, ecological, and economic benefits that are essential to the healthy functioning of the urban environment.

11Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 1. Introduction

2.Context

12 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 2. Context

Physical contextMorelandisamunicipalityintheinnernorthofMelbourne.Ithasanareaof51squarekilometresandmostlyliesbetweenMooneePondsCreektothewest,andMerriCreektotheeast,withGowanbraeandTullamarinetothenorthwestoftheMooneePondsCreekandNewlandstotheeastofMerriCreek.ParkStreetboundsthesouthofthemunicipality,andtheWesternRingRoadistheboundarytothenorth.

Moreland’swaterwaysarethedistinctivenaturalfeatureofthemunicipality,requiringconsiderationastohowthesecanbeprotectedasanimportantnaturalresource,whilstprovidingimportantopportunitiesforcommunityrecreation.

Morelandisanestablishedmunicipality,withlittleopportunityforgreenfielddevelopment.Thereislittlevarianceinthedensityofsettlementinthemunicipality,althoughincreaseddensityandmixedusedevelopmentsexist(orexpected)intheactivitycentresofBrunswick,Coburg,andGlenroy.

Opportunitiestoacquirelandforpublicopenspaceshouldbepursuedwhentheopportunityarises,particularlythroughnewdevelopment.Astheseopportunitiesmaybelimited,thechallengeliesinenhancingthequalityofandimprovingaccesstotheopenspacenetworkthroughupgradingwhatexistsatpresent.

Planning and policy contextTheMorelandOpenSpaceStrategysitswithinabroaderpolicyframeworkthatincludeslegislationandpoliciesofthestategovernment,aswellasthelocalgovernmentpoliciesofMorelandCityCouncil.

Figure 1: Local Government Planning FrameworkshowstheinfluenceofthestateandlocalplanningpolicyontheOpenSpaceStrategy.FurthercontextonpoliciesandstrategyareprovidedinAppendix 1: Planning and policy context (page 106).

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 2. Context 13

Figure 1. Local Government Planning Framework

Local Government Planning Framework

Melbourne 2030 – Melbourne@5 million

Victorian Planning Provisions & Planning Scheme

• StatePlanningPolicyFramework

• LocalPolicyFramework

• Zones• Overlays• ParticularProvisions• GeneralProvisions

Legislation

• Planning&EnvironmentAct(inc.s173Agreements)

• CrownLands(Reserves)Act

• NationalParksAct• Conservation,

Forests&LandsAct(inc.S69Agreements)

• SubdivisionAct• RelevantLandsActs• Parkspecific

regulations

State Government Policies/Guidelines

• NativeVegetationFramework

• LinkingPeopleandSpaces

• StateEnvironment&PlanningPolicy

• VictorianCoastalStrategy

• VictorianTrailsStrategy• VicRoads–Clear

ZoneStandards• MelbourneWaterShared

PathGuidelines• GAAPrecinctStructure

PlanGuidelines• SaferDesign

GuidelinesDSE• ActivityCentre

GuidelinesDSE• HigherDensityDesign

GuidelinesDSE

Parks Victoria State & Metropolitan Park Development and Management

Moreland Council Plan

Moreland Health & Wellbeing Plan Moreland Planning Scheme-Municipal

Strategic Statement

Key Policy

OpenSpaceStrategy,MulticulturalPolicyandActionPlan,DisabilityStrategy,ClimateActionPlan

Other Specific Issues/Plans/Strategies

StreetLandscapeStrategy,LeisurePlan,PlaygroundStrategy,IntegratedTransportStrategy,ReconciliationPolicyandActionPlan,BicyclePlan,MerriCreekEnvironsStrategy,MooneePondsCreekEnvironsStrategy,Integrated

WaterManagementPlan,StructurePlans,IndustrialLandUseStrategy,YouthStrategy,CommunityConsultation&EngagementStrategy,ActiveMoreland

Open Space Strategy

Policy Policiesandguidelinesinaddressingkeyissues,provisionstandardsandcoreservelevels

Processes: Planning Approvals

Agreedprocessesandresponsibilitiesto:

• Assessproposals:pre-planninginfo;sitedemandanalysis;compliancewithpolicyguidelines;coreservicecriteria;masterplanning;site&design

• Makeinputintostructureplans

Provisions: Statutory Planning

MorelandPlanningScheme

• LocalPlanningPolicy,MSS• Development

ContributionPlans• Clause52.01• StructurePlans• Referenceorincorporated

document

Strategic Planning & Capital Works

Inventory&GeographicInformation

• LocalityAnalysis• Gaps/Opportunities• DemandAnalysis• Municipalwide&precinct

prioritiesforacquisitionanddevelopment

• Upgrades• ActionPlan• AnnualImplementationPlan

Influences

Influ

ence

s

14 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 2. Context

In the City of Moreland there is an estimated 839ha of open space. This includes local and district level parks utilised for a range of functions, sports reserves, open space adjacent to the Merri and Moonee Ponds Creeks, and large individual areas at Northern Golf Club, Fawkner Memorial Park, and Northern Memorial Park.

15Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 2. Context

3.Openspacevision,goalsandprinciples

16 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 3. Open space vision, goals and principles

VisionMorelandCityCouncil’sopenspacevisionistocreatea:

Functionally diverse open space network that values Moreland’s natural and cultural heritage, and enhances liveability for its residents.

Nowandintothefuture:

Thenaturalandculturalheritageofthemunicipalityiscelebrated,protectedandrestoredinitsopenspaces.Theextensiveuseofsustainablehorticultureandtheuseofindigenousplantsforhabitatcreationhavereinvigoratedallourparks,providingadiversityofexperiencesforourcommunityandprovidingvaluablehabitatsthathavebroughtbackmanynativebirdsandotherwildlife.Ourwaterwaysandnaturalareasareprotectedandhavebeenmanagedtoincreasetheirecologicalvalues.ThecommunityunderstandandvaluetheseareasandenjoythetranquilsettingtheyprovideforMoreland.

Ourparks,civicspaces,andwaterwaycorridorsarewelldesignedandmaintained,andofferopportunitiesclosetohomeforexercise,socialising,relaxing,learning,competitivesports,play,festivals,culturalevents,picnics,andconnectingwithnature.TheopenspacehasimprovedMoreland’sliveabilityandmoderatedtheeffectsofchangesintheclimate.Theopenspacenetworkismanagedforsocial,environmentalandeconomicsustainabilityandMoreland’scommitmenttomaintainingathrivingandvaluedopenspacenetworkenhancestheliveabilityofthemunicipality.

Key goalsForeachofthekeyissuesarisingfromtheanalysisunderpinningthestrategy,sevengoalshavebeenidentified.

Theopenspacegoalsare:

1. Providingparksclosetohome

2. Havingamixofopenspacetypesandexperiences

3. Makingplacesfornature

4. AgreenermoreliveableMoreland

5. Makingthemostofopenspacethrougheffectivemanagement

6. Enhancingparticipationanduseofopenspace

7. Developingofanetworkofsharedtrails

Objectives,strategies,actionsareestablishedundereachofthesegoals(see Key Goals & Objectives page 44 for detail).

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 3. Open space vision, goals and principles 17

PrinciplesThisplanendorsesandassumesthatthefollowingprincipleswillbeupheldintheplanninganddevelopmentofallopenspacesinMoreland:

Conservation and environmental sustainability • Protectionandactivemanagementof

remnantindigenousvegetationsitesasirreplaceablenaturalheritageassets

• Increasingbiodiversitythroughoutthemunicipality,includingthepublicrealm,throughmoreintensiveandappropriatelandscapingtocreatehabitatcorridors,wherepossible

• Conservationandinterpretationofplacesofculturalandarchaeologicalheritage

• Sustainableplantingandlandscapedesignreflectingsitecontext,watersensitiveurbandesign,landscapecharacter,functionalrequirements,and/orspecificdesignfeatures

• Theuseofindigenousspeciesasapriorityunlessthereisanestablishedparklandscapecharacter,afunctionalneedorspecificdesignfeaturethatrequiresanotherspecies

• Theutilisationofup-to-date,sustainableenvironmentaldesigninopenspacemanagement

Access and inclusion • Consultationwithparkusersandadjacent

residentsaspartoftheplanninganddesignprocessforallsubstantialopenspacedevelopmentandprojects

• Inclusionofpeoplewithawiderangeofages,culturalbackgroundsandabilitiesthroughopenspacedesignanddevelopment

• Maintainandimprovemovementbetweenandthroughopenspacesforwalking,cycling,fauna,andsurroundingmunicipality’sopenspacenetworks

• Designandmaintenanceofopenspacethatwillprovideahighdegreeofsecurityforusers

• Allocationofresourcesforequitabledistribution,developmentandmaintenanceofopenspace,andforarangeofuses

• Promotessharingofopenspaceratherthanexclusiveusebyausergrouporcommercialactivity

• Maintainandimproveopenspacetomanagetheincreasingdemandforopenspacefrompopulationgrowth,increasinghousingdensities,buildingheightsandthelossofprivateopenspace

• Redesignationofspacestocreateopenspace,i.e.roadclosures

• Acquisitionanddisposalandalienationofopenspace

• Openspaceshouldbeprotectedfromovershadowing,encroachmentbynon-recreationalandsupportinfrastructure,includingcarparksandsigns,anddevelopmentthatrestrictspublicaccessorsurveillance

• Acquisitionoflandforpublicopenspacemayberequired:inareasofidentifiedneed;forlocalparks;inactivitycentreareas;tocreateaccesstoexistingparks,ortoconsolidateorextendopenspacecorridors

• Advocateforformalisationofsurpluspublicutilitylandasdesignatedpublicopenspace

• Priortodisposalofopenspacetherewillbeacomprehensiveassessmentofexistingandpotentialuseandvalueofthespace

• Proceedsfromanysaleofpublicopenspacewillbeusedforopenspacedevelopmentoracquisition

18 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 3. Open space vision, goals and principles

People’s use of open space for outdoor recreation has steadily increased in recent years. Walking and cycling have grown rapidly and are the most popular forms of exercise in terms of broad community participation.

19Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 3. Open space vision, goals and principles

4.Emergingissuesforopenspace

20 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 4. Emerging issues for open space

The following issues for Moreland’s open space have been identified through research of relevant documents, including Council policies, other Councils’ policies, and research publications, and through consultation. Many of the impacts created by the issue extend beyond one goal of the Strategy however they have been encapsulated within the seven goals to identify how they will be addressed in the future.

Issuesa. Higher rate of population growth than

anticipated in Melbourne 2030 and increasing urban densities.

Potential impact:someareasofMorelandareexpectedtohaveincreasedhousingdensitytoaccommodateahigherpopulation.Thiswillincludeincreasingheightsofbuildingsandanassociatedreductioninthesizeofprivateopenspaceandlessopenspacepercapita(VEAC2010).Thismayinclude:

• Highbuildingstockpotentialovershadowingofparks&streettrees

• Changesinbuildinginterfacewithopenspace–moredominantbuildingstock

• Housesbuiltonbackyards–lossofbiodiversity,areasforproductivegardens,relaxation/mentalrelief

• Increasingdemandforrooftopgardensandgreenwalls–howtomaintaininharshclimates

• IncreasinghardsurfacearealikelytoexacerbatetheUrbanHeatIsland(UHI)effect

• Increasinguseofpublicopenspace.Whereopenspaceisoflimitedaccessibility,oralreadyunderalotofpressure

b) Increasing obesity and adverse health issues within the general populous linked to lack of exercise.

Potential impact:ifnothingisdonetoimproveaccessibilitytoopenspaceorinformalactiverecreationopportunitiesthismaycontributetotheissue.

c) Increasing demand for space for team sports combined with pressures with maintaining sports grounds during harsh weather conditions.

Potential impact:continuationofexistingsportswithnoconsiderationofhowthefutureofsportshouldbeplannedforandmanagedwouldleadtoaninadequateprovisionofsports.Themultiuseofsportsfieldsandachangeofsportscouldassistinthemanagementoftheactualfields.

d) Loss of other government land including access to school sports grounds, other utilities open space areas i.e. Vic Track, and Vic Roads land.

Potential impact:lossofvaluablegreenspacethathasbeenusedbyresidentsasopenspace,orremnantvegetation.Lossofpotentialformanagingclimatechangeimpactsmoreeffectivelyiflargetractsofgreenspacelosttodevelopment.

e) Loss of open space from private building/garden encroachment, particularly along creek corridors.

Potential impact:continuallossofopenspacetoprivategardens/buildings/industrywithnobenefitforthecommunity.Ifnotregulatedwillcontinuetooccurandwilllikelyexacerbate.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 4. Emerging issues for open space 21

f) Likely impacts of climate change and the urban heat island effect, including improving planning controls, as well as general issues of lack of water, need to maintain greenery, and provide a refuge from heat

Potential impact:lossofgreenspaceandtheverythingweneedtoprotect/lessentheimpactofclimatechangei.e.coolingeffectofgreenspacewhichcoolsthesurroundingenvironmentandprovidesrefugeforhabitat.

g) Shared use agreements with schools not being honoured.

Potential impact:moneyspentbycouncilonprovidinginfrastructureonnoncouncillandmaybelostifprocessisnotrigorousenough.

h) Various types of private land need to be considered in the way that they complement public space, including:

• Theamountofspaceavailableinbackyards and implications of shrinking backyards, medium and high density housing for public open space provision

• Theprovisionforcertainsportsbytheprivate sector e.g. golf and tennis

• Publiclyaccessiblelandwhichareusedasopen space, i.e. Fawkner Cemetery, and is privately owned

• Increasingdemandforcommunitygardensand the issue of food security

Potential impact:requestsforcommunitygardensareoftendirectedtowardsCouncilpublicopenspace.CommunitygardenscanbeavaluablecommunityresourcehoweverCouncilpolicyisrequiredtoguidethelocationandfacilitatethedevelopmentofsustainablecommunitygardens.Publicopenspaceisnotconsideredthepreferredchoiceforcommunitygardenusegiventhealreadylowprovisionofopenspaceinthecommunityandthatitdoesnotalignwiththedesignatedfunctionofopenspace.

Foodsecurityreferstotheadequacyofthefoodsupplyinthecommunityandtheabilitytoaccesshealthyfoodchoices.Theprovisionofcommunitygardensisonestrategythatcanbeconsideredtoaddressthisissue.

i) Requests are received to commemorate people or significant events by naming features to be situated in public spaces, especially in parks. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of these requests.

Potential impact:ifnotmanagedappropriatelyitcanhaveanumberofimplicationsforparksincludingthe

• impactofnumerousmemorialsonthelandscape

• appropriatenessoftheproposedmemorialstospecificsites

• design,constructionanduseofmaterialstominimisemaintenancecosts

• longevityofthememorials,and

• publicsafetyassociatedwiththeirdesignandlocation.


Climate Change & the Urban Heat Island effect – implications for open spaceClimatechangeincreasestheneedforanintegratedapproachtoopenspaceplanning.Ithasamplifiedtheneedforandtheaccessibilityofpublicopenspaceforhabitat,socialandrecreationalopportunities.ThefullrangeofbenefitsandusesofopenspaceshouldbeconsideredacrossallCouncilplanningtoincludeinteractionswithtransport,urbandevelopment,socialplanning,energyuseandhydrology(DSE2009).

Accordingtomostrecentscientificresearchglobalwarmingisalreadyinfluencingourclimate(DSE2009).Aswellashighertemperaturesandreducedrainfall,thereisexpectedtobeanincreasingfrequencyofextremeweatherevents,whichwearealreadyexperiencing,leadingtoahigherriskofbushfire,inlandflooding,andthefrequencyofveryhotdays.Itisnotclearthattherecentdroughtconditionswerearesultofclimatechange,howeveritispossibletosaythatclimatechangehasexacerbatedtheimpactsofthislowrainfallperiod.

How things are changing for open spaceMelbournehasrecentlycomeoutofadroughtwhichsawrainfalldropby11%overa12yearperiodresultinginwaterrestrictionswithsevereimpactsforparksandsportsgrounds(ParksVictoria2009).

Landscapeswhichwereonceunderregularirrigationrapidlydeteriorated.Italsoseverelyimpactedonprivateopenspace.Sportsgrounds,generallyahighwaterusesurface,weregreatlyimpactedon.Theywereunderregularmonitoringtoensuresafesurfacesforplaywhichincludedlimitingusefortrainingandchangingofallovalstowarm-seasonturftoimproveturfcoveroversummer.

Therehasalsobeenashifttousingartificialturftoreplacenaturalturf,particularlyforhighintensitysportsandsocialspaces(includingkindergartens).Althoughthisprovidesayearroundsurface,itisarelativelyexpensiveoptionforgrassreplacement.Thevalueofartificialturfneedstobeweightedupwithissuesofhightemperaturesemanatingfromthesurface,maintenancecosts,changeintypesofinjuries,andthelossoftheenvironmentalbenefitsofthenaturalsurfaceallneedtobeconsidered.

Anotherfactorwhichischangingisthedevelopmentofsmaller/noresidentialbackyards,asaresultofgreaterhousingintensification.Itisoccurringquickerthananticipatedduetohigherthanexpectedpopulationgrowth(Melb@5m).Thishasthepotentialtoleadtoanincreasinguseofopenspaceduetothereductioninyardsize.

Thereisalsoanincreaseindemandforlargeorganisedeventsinparks,suchasLakeReserve,Coburg,toimprovesocialinclusionwithinthemunicipality.Astherearelimitedopenspaceswiththecapacitytoholdsuchevents,thosewhereeventsoccurarebeginningtoseetheeffectsonvegetationfromoveruse,aswellasimpactingonpassiveenjoymentofparks.

Melbourneiscurrentlyexperiencingmilderconditionsandin2011itwasthewettestyearacrossthewatercatchmentsin3decades(MelbourneWater2012)seeingwaterlevelsincreasingby13%.MorelandhasexperiencedsignificantheavysummerdelugeswhichhaveseentheCreeksystemsatcapacitycausingminorlocalisedfloodinganddamagetobridgeinfrastructureandvegetationaswellasincreasederosion.

Therewillbeanincreasingneedtodevelopstrategiestoslowwater,potentiallythroughwetlandsandplantings,andcontinueeffortstoreducewaterrunofffromthebuiltenvironmentintothecatchment.

Alltheseissueswillcontinuetoplacegreaterpressureonourlandscapes.


Urban Heat Island effect (UHI)The‘urbanheatisland’effectisaseparateissuefromglobalwarming.Iteffectisbeingmagnifiedduetotheincreasingdensityofbuildingsandhardspaces,particularlyintheurbanenvironment,andlossofgreeneryparticularlyonprivateland.

DesignoftheurbanfabricwillneedtobedoneinanincreasinglyinnovativewaytotryandlimittheincreaseoftheUHIeffect.

Furtherinnovationandresearchisrequiredinalternativelandscapes,suchasrooftopgardensandgreenwalls,tomeetthedifficultclimaticconditionsintheurbanenvironment.CurrentlyrooftopgardensinMelbourneareachallengetokeepfunctioninginacosteffectiveway.ResearchbytheUniversityofMelbourneiscurrentlyunderwayintoplantsurvivalandthecoolingbenefitsofrooftopgardensandtheoutcomesofthisresearchwillgreatlybenefitdesignoutcomesforurbanlandscapes.

Thistypeoflandscapetreatmentshouldbeseenasanimportantadjuncttomoreappropriateandcosteffectivemeansoflandscapingi.e.adequatespacesfortreeswithinsitesandstreetscapestoamelioratetheUHIeffect.

Urbanparkscanhelpoffsetlocalheateffectsofglobalwarming.Researchhasshownthaturbanareascanbeupto12°Cwarmerthanmoreruralsurroundingsduetotheheatgivenoffbybuildings,roadsandtraffic,aswellasreducedevaporativecooling,inwhatiscommonlyreferredtoasanurbanheatisland.

ClimatemodellingundertakenbytheUniversityofManchesterhasindicatedthatanincreaseof10%intheamountofgreenspaceincitycentrescouldreduceurbansurfacetemperaturesbyupto4°C,enoughtooffsetpredictedtemperaturerisesinthoseareasuntilthe2080s.

Associatedwiththisisthecapacityforgreenspacestohelpameliorateextremeweatherevents(heatwaves,flashfloodsandhighwinds),eventswhicharepredictedtoincreaseinfrequencyandseverityasaresultofglobalwarming.Thiscanbeachievedthroughplantingoftreestoshadestructuresandhighuseareas;designandplantingofareasalongcreekstoslowfloodwaters;and,plantingofbufferareastoreducewindspeed,aswellasreducewaterevaporationofthelandscape.

InarecentstudybyMonashUniversity,theyundertookaspatialvulnerabilityanalysisofurbanpopulationstoextremeheateventsacrossMelbourne.Morelandwasidentifiedashavinglargeareasofthemunicipalitysusceptibletoheatrelatedillnessesandmorbidity.

Thevulnerabilityindexwasconstructedusingindicatorsofhealth,socialandenvironmentalriskfactors.Fivekeyindicatorswereidentified;theseareareaswithlargenumbersofagedcarefacilities,areaswithfamiliesspeakingalanguageotherthanEnglishathome,areaswhereelderlypeoplelivealone,suburbanareasratherthanhigh-densityinnersuburbs,andareaswithahighproportionofelderlyandveryyoungcitizens(whoareidentifiedasthemostvulnerable).

ItwasidentifiedthattheimpactofUHIcouldexacerbatetheimpactsofhightemperatures.UHIcanbeamplifiedbypoorbuildingdesignandurbanplanningresultinginhighdensityhousingwithlimitedgreenspaces.2

2. Loughnan, Nicholls and Tapper, 2009.


Value of trees ThebenefitsofvegetationonurbanmicroclimatesandinfrastructurearefinallybeingrecognisedaccordingtoGregMoore(2007).Theyshouldnotonlybeviewedasbeingvaluableforshade,butalsoforwindprotectionandfortheirbiodiversityandhabitatrole.Theroleoftreesasfiltersforpollutants,improvingthequalityofair,reducingwindspeedandinfluencingwaterinfiltrationandabsorptionarethesubjectofresearch.Thepresenceofshadytreescanalsoincreasetheusefullifeofasphaltpavementby30%(Killicoat,PuzioandStringer2002)(inMoore2007).

Itisalsoimportanttonotethatthereisaverystrongrelationshipbetweenvegetationandenergyefficiencyinbuildings,sothattreeswillhaveavitalroleinaddressingissuesrelatedtoenergybalance.(Moore2007)

Thevalueofindigenousplantsintheurbanenvironment,particularlyforhabitatvalues,cannotbedoubtedhoweveritshouldbenotedthatthetemperatureamelioratingeffectofindigenousvegetationislessthanthatofexoticEuropeanvegetation,althoughthewaterrequirementsofindigenousvegetationareoftensubstantiallylower.Thereisonlyonenativetreethatistrulywinterdeciduousanddroughttolerant(WhiteCedar,Melia azederach)howeversomenativespeciesprovidedappledlight.Togainthemostbenefitofwintersunlighthavinganativeorexoticdeciduoustreeonthenorthandwesternfacesofbuildingsprovidesthemosteffectivesolution.

Inthelongertermitispossiblethaturbantreeswillfindadditionalrolesinstrategiestoadapttoclimatechange,includingthepotentialtoprovideforoffsettingofcarbon.Nevertheless,thecurrentneedtoprotecttheliveabilityofMorelandwillincludeensuringoururbanforestisincreasedandprotected.


Biodiversity Lossofbiodiversityisarealthreatinachangingclimate.Theeffectsofclimatechangeonbiodiversitywilloccuratmanydifferentlevels–fromindividualstoecosystems.Speciesmayalterdistribution,abundance,behaviourandthetimingofeventssuchasmigrationorbreeding.Themostsusceptiblespecieswillbethosewithrestrictedorspecialisedhabitatrequirements,poordispersalabilitiesorsmallpopulations.

Combinedwiththecommonissuesintheurbanenvironmentsuchasincreasinghousingdensity,lossofbackyards(whichoftenprovidegoodhabitatlinkagesforfaunainparticular),lossofopenspacetoinfrastructuretoprovideforcommunityfacilities,generallymakeitdifficulttomaintainbiodiversity.Itwillbecomeincreasingimportanttoproviderefugeandconnectivityofhabitatforbiodiversity.

Insomeareastheremaybescopeforfurthercombininghabitatbenefitswithtrailnetworkslinkingtootherthelargeropenspaceareas.Waterwaysandrailwaylinesarealreadysignificantcorridorswhichfulfilthesefunctionsandtoimproveonthisandtouseotherpathnetworksasanopportunitytoincreasethisfunctionbothlaterallyandlongitudinallywillbecomemoreimportant.Otheropportunitiessuchasstreetlandscapesmayalsobedesignedtoperformand/orsupportthisfunction.

Climatechangewillalsohaveindirectimpactsonbiodiversity.Theremaybeincreasedpressurefromcompetitors,predators,parasites,diseasesanddisturbances(suchasbushfireordrought).Itislikelytoinfluencethecompositionofecosystemsandtheirdistributionbyalteringwaterflowsinriversandwetlandsandtheoccurrenceofbushfiresandfloods.

Climatechangeislikelytoamplifyexistingthreatssuchashabitatlossandinvasivespecies,makingtheirimpactsconsiderablyworse.

Water Melbourneislikelytoexperiencesignificantreductionsinitswatersupplyduetodroughtandtheimpactofclimatechange.(CSIRO2009)

Overthepast50yearswehaveseenareductioninrainfallinsouthernandeasternAustralia,morefrequentheatwaves,fewerfrosts,anintensificationofdroughtconditions,andasmallriseinsealevel.Manypeoplearenoticingtheimpactofthesechangesintheirdailylives,throughthingssuchaswaterrestrictions,higherpricesforfreshfood,flowersbloomingoutofseason,andregularstoriesofextremeweathereventsinthenews(CSIRO2009).

Thecollectiveimpactofincreasedwaterevaporationfromplantsandsoilandthedecreaseinrainfallisalsolikelytodiminishsoilmoisture.Combinedwithmoreextremerainfalleventsitisalsolikelythatthiswillleadtohighlevelsofwaterrunoff,limitedinfiltrationofwaterthroughsoilandanincreasedpossibilityoffloodingevents.

Tomanagetheseissueswewillneedtocarefullyconsiderhowandwhenweusewater.Itisnotacaseofstoppingusingwater,itisabouthowefficientlyandeffectivelyweuseittoachievethedesiredoutcome.


Trees should not only be viewed as being valuable for shade, but also for wind protection and for their biodiversity and habitat role. The presence of shady trees can also increase the useful life of asphalt pavement by 30%.

27Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 4. Emerging issues for open space

Changing recreational activitiesChanginglifestylesisresultinginchangestorecreationalactivities,placingmorepressureonexistinglandandresources.Keytrendsinclude:

• People’suseofopenspaceforoutdoorrecreationhassteadilyincreasedinrecentyears.Walkingandcyclinghavegrownrapidlyandarethemostpopularformsofexerciseintermsofbroadcommunityparticipation(ParksVictoria2009).

• Participationratesinthemostpopularorganisedsportshaveincreasedsignificantly.

• Therehasbeenstronggrowthinsoccerparticipationandjuniorparticipationoutsideschoolhoursforteamsportsgenerally.

• Basedonageprofilesalone,thehighestdemandforadultparticipationinpopularteamsportswouldbeexpectedoverthenext25years.

Othertypesofoutdoorrecreationalactivitieshavegrownstronglyinrecentyears,includingdogexercising,organisedoutdoorgroups/personaltraining,communityeventsandfestivalsandneedstobefacilitatedandmanagedinspacesprovidedbyCouncil.

Use of other government land and role of the private sectorMostlandsetasideforoutdoorrecreationiseitherownedandmanagedbylocalcouncils,orownedbytheCrownandmanagedbycommitteesofmanagement,(includingCouncilorDepartmentofSustainability&Environment).

However,parcelsoflandownedbyothergovernmentagenciesandtheprivatesectoralsoplayanimportantroleinservingrecreationalneeds,whichinclude:

• flood-proneland,wetlandconservationareas,andpipe-tracksownedbyMelbourneWater,forexampleJacanaWetlands

• privateoutdoorsportingclubs(e.g.Northerngolfcourse,tennisclubs)

• schoolsportsgrounds(publicandprivate)

• churchsportsclubs(e.g.tennis)

• railwaylandusedforwalkingandcycling

• othersurplusgovernmentagencyland(e.g.VicRoads)usedasparkland

Thereisoftenlittleornolong-termsecurityrelatingtotheuseofothercategoriesofgovernmentorprivatesectorlandforoutdoorrecreation.Othergovernmentandprivateorganisationsdonothaveacoreresponsibilitytoprovidelandforpublicopenspaceandrecreation.Examplesoflandlostfromoutdoorrecreationaluse,and/orbarriersfacedbylocalcouncilsandcommunitiesingainingaccesstothisland,include:

• thecomplexityoflegalagreementsforjointuseofschoolfacilitiesandrelianceoninformalarrangements


• lackofsuitableinfrastructureforschoolsportsgroundstobeopeneduptocommunityuse

• saleand/orlossofschoolsportsgroundsthroughredevelopment–bothpublicandprivate–andsubsequentreliancebyschoolsoncouncilgrounds

• difficultiesinnegotiatingaccessarrangementswithgovernmentagencies(e.g.MelbourneWater,VicTrack)duetolegalliabilityconcernsandlackofagreementonfundingformaintenance

• privateandchurchsportsclubs(e.g.bowls,croquetclubs)beinglosttoredevelopment

• TheVictorianEnvironmentAssessmentCouncil(VEAC)investigatedCrownandpublicauthoritylandintheMelbournemetropolitanarea.Ithasidentifiedandassessedtheuses,resourcesandconditions,valuesandmanagementofthisland.Aswellasassessingthevaluesofspecificparcelsofland,thereporthasconsideredthecontributionofCrownandpublicauthoritylandtoMelbourne’sliveability.ThefinalreportbyVEAC,namedtheMetropolitanMelbourneInvestigation,wasreleasedbytheStateGovernmentinAugust2011.

ThereporthastakenintoconsiderationCouncillandandpubliclandandoneofthefindingsisthatallvegetatedpubliclandcontributestoMelbourne’sliveability,includingnaturestrips,pocketparks,stripsbesideroadsandrailwaylines.ItalsonotedtheimportanceoftreedareasofpubliclandandwaterbodiesforamelioratingtheurbanheatislandeffectislikelytoincreaseinMelbourneasurbandensificationincreasesandtheclimatewarms.

ForMoreland,thereisanunevenspreadofopenspaceandaswithotherestablishedsuburbsthereisgenerallyalowerprovisionofopenspacepercapita.Itisalsonotedthatwithouttheretentionandcreationofopenspaceonbothpublicandlocalcouncillandsthatpublicopenspacepercapitawilldecreaseovertime,andagainforMorelandthisislikelytobeexacerbatedbypopulationincreasesandthelimitedscopetocreateadditionalopenspace.3

Protection of open space against loss or alienationTheSubdivision Act1988,20(4)statesthatpublicopenspace(acquiredthroughtheprovisionsoftheAct),canonlybeusedformunicipalpurposesinaccordancewiththeplanningscheme,orsoldonlyiftheCouncilhasprovidedforreplacementopenspace.Thereistheadditionalbarriertosaleofpublicparksduetotheneedtorezonetheland,soactualsaleofpublicparklandisrareandnormallyonlycarriedoutafterconsiderablepublicconsultationandwithaclearplantoreplacethelandwithopenspaceofgreaterbenefittothecommunityasawhole.

Animportantissueforopenspaceistheincremental‘loss’ofopenparklandtoindoorsportingandothercouncilcommunityfacilitiesandcarparks.Thereisoftenpressuretofindlocationsfornewfacilitiesandrespondtoresidents’concernsabouton-streetparkingandprovisionofcommunityfacilities.Thecurrentplanningprovisionscurrentlyallowforawiderangeofpermittedusesonopenspace.Itiscriticalforcounciltocommittoprotectingopenspaceandtoseekalternatesitesforinfrastructure,particularlyiftheydonotrelatetoopenspaceactivities.

‘Poor quality or under use are not reasons for considering open spaces for other uses’ (Page 31, CABE Space 2009)

3. Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, 2011.


Inadequate asset management in open space Generallymostassetmanagementinopenspacehasbeenundertakenindiscriminately(usuallywhentheassetfails)withtheexceptionofthePlayEquipmentInventorywhichdocumentstheconditionandreplacementscheduleforallplayequipmentinMoreland’sopenspaceoverafiveyearperiod.

Thisadhocapproachhasleadtoanoveralldeclineinmanyopenspaceassetstoapointwherethereareagreatmanypoorlymaintainedassetsrequiringsubstantialrefurbishmentorcompletereplacement.Anotheraspectofthisissueisthatfundshavenotbeenputasidetoadequatelycoverthedepreciationoftheassetsforassetrenewalinopenspace.

CounciliscurrentlydevelopinganOpenSpaceAssetManagementPlan.Thekeyissueforopenspaceistoensurethatnotonlyphysicalassetsarecaptured,buttoincludeallassets,suchastrees,turfareas,gardenbeds,indigenousvegetation.ThiswillgiveCounciltheabilitytoplanforthedeteriorationofallassets.ItwillalsoprovideCouncilwithanassetvalueforopenspaceandifanyworksaretobeundertaken/ordamagedonetoassetsinopenspaceitwillgiveavalueoftheassetforreferral/prosecutionpurposes.


The current planning provisions currently allow for a wide range of permitted uses on open space. It is critical for council to commit to protecting open space and to seek alternate sites for infrastructure, particularly if they do not relate to open space activities.

31Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 4. Emerging issues for open space

5.Theopenspaceplanningframework

32 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 5. The open space planning framework

Classification of open spaceToassistwithplanningandtheassessmentofthedistributionandqualityofopenspaceinMoreland,eachopenspaceisclassifiedaccordingtothefollowing:

• Function(orpurposeinthenetwork,thatreflectsthecorebenefitstoresidents)

• Landscapesetting(form)

• Catchment(sphereofinfluence),and

• Settlementtype(thenatureofresidentialsettlementinwhichitislocated)

Theseclassificationsprovideatooltoanalyse:whetheraspaceisfitforpurpose;distribution;diversityofexperiencesandopportunities;enhanceequityinprovision;andevaluatespecificqualitiesofopenspacetocomparewithdemand.FurthercontextbehindtheseclassificationsanddefinitionscanbefoundinAppendix 2: Classifications and core levels of service.

Function typeFunctiontypeistheprimarypurposeoftheopenspacewithinthenetwork.OpenspaceinMorelandisdividedintoelevencategories:

1. Accessway/sharedtrail

2. Social/familyrecreation(orplay)

3. Sport

4. Civicgathering/forecourt

5. Conservation(floraandfauna)

6. Heritage

7. Memorialpark/cemetery

8. Relaxation/contemplation/visualamenity

9. Utility/drainage,orfloodway

10.Communityhorticulture

11.Noidentifiedfunction

(see Table 5: Definitions and Examples of Function Types in Moreland on page 119 )

Eachfunctionofopenspacehasspecificcharacteristics,whichreflectspecifictypesbenefitssoughtthroughopenspace.

Characteristicsofeachopenspacefunctiontype(suchassize,location,qualityanddistribution)thatensureaspaceisfitforpurpose,aresetoutascoreservicelevelsforeachcatchmentlevel.ThesecanbeusedfortheanalysisofexistingspacesandtheplanningoffutureofopenspacesinMoreland(see Appendix 2: Classifications and core levels of service on page 118).

Whentheseopenspacefunctiontypesaremapped,itispossibletoseeifresidentsarelikelytohaveaccesstoopenspacethatcanprovideeachspecificbenefit,andwhetherareasarewithoutaccesstodifferenttypesofopenspace(see Map 2: Provision of Open Space on page 42).

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 5. The open space planning framework 33

Landscape settingLandscapesettingsreflectthepredominantvegetationtypeandexperiencesthatarecreatedbyanopenspace’sparticularform,ratherthanitsintendedfunction.Landscapesettingisasignificantdeterminantoftheexperiencegainedbytheuser.Tencategoriesoflandscapesettingtypehavebeenused:

1. Opengrassyarea

2. Treedparkland

3. Pavedarea

4. Waterbody/wetland

5. Lawnormanagedturf

6. Specialisedsportssurface

7. Ornamentalgarden

8. Bushland/nativegrassland

9. Vegetablegarden/farm,or

10.Roughnaturalarea

(see page 120 for definitions)

Byconsciouslyacknowledgingthenatureofthelandscapesettingtype,andanalysingthisacrossthenetworkitispossibletostrategicallyidentifyopportunitiestomodifysitestoaddinterest,diversityorcreatespecificexperiencesthatmaybemissingfromalocalarea(see Map 3: Public Open Space Landscape Type on page 44 for existing landscape types of Moreland).

CatchmentOpenspaceshavetheirownsphereofinfluenceduetoanumberoffactorssuchassize,uniqueness,andthenatureandscaleoffacilitiesprovided.

Eachopenspacehasthereforebeenclassifiedaccordingtoitscatchment,howfarpeoplearelikelytotraveltoit,andhowlongtheyarelikelytostay.Thisdetermineswhatfacilitiesareneededandatwhatstandard,andhowoftentheopenspacemayneedtobemaintained.

ThecatchmentofeachopenspaceisdescribedinMorelandaslocal,districtandregional.LocalanddistrictspaceisthepredominantcatchmentinMoreland,howevertheMerriCreekLinearReservecouldbeconsideredtohaveRegionalparkcharacteristics.

Localopenspacepredominantlyservestheimmediatelocalcatchment,districtopenspaceservesagroupofsuburbs,andregionalopenspacedescribesareasthatserveregionalcatchments,i.e.thewholeof,orbroaderthan,themunicipality(see Map 1: Provision of Open Space on page 42).

Settlement typeThenatureofthesurroundingsettlementorcontextinwhichopenspaceisprovideddeterminesthemodelofopenspaceprovision,basedon:theamountofprivateopenspaceresidentsarelikelytohave;housingdensity;recreationopportunitiesavailable;andlandscapecharacter.Theseaffecthowpeopleusepublicspace,andbenefitstheyseekfromit.

34 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 5. The open space planning framework

WhenadditionalresidentialdevelopmenttakesplaceCouncilshouldassessthesurroundingnatureofsettlementbeforedeterminingthenatureofpublicopenspacethatshouldbeprovided.Thecategoriesofsettlementshouldreflecthousingdensity,andthenatureoftheplanningzone:i.e.mixeduse,commercialandindustrialwherepublicopenspacemayberequired.

Residentsinhigherdensitydevelopmentmay:

• beexposedtohigherlevelsofnoise,andlessprivacy

• haveaccesstosmallerareasofprivateopenspace,especiallythatwhichissuitableforphysicalactivityandpets

• beaffectedbynotbeingabletoseeopenspaceifsmall(ornotavailable),orhavingaccesstominimalsunlightduetoovershadowingbuildings

Observationshaveshownresidentsofnewmediumorhighdensitydwellingsadjacenttoopenspacetendtousepublicspaceasprivateorcommunalspace.Thesizeofparksandtheirdesignintheselocationsmustensurepublicusersarenotdisplacedandconflictbetweenactivitiesdoesnotoccur.

Mediumandhighdensitydwellingssitedadjacenttoparklandmustrespecttheneedforclearseparationofprivateandpublicspace,solaraccess,light,viewsandaccessforresidentsbehindthehigherdwellingsthatmayabutapark.Generallyapathorminorroadshouldseparateprivatedevelopmentfromopenspacewithbuildingsorientatedtooverlookthepark.

Whereexistingresidentialareasarebeingredevelopedforhigherdensityhousingthechancesofobtainingpublicopenspacearemorelimiteddueto:

• Thepossibilitythatexistingsubdivisionhasalreadyprovidedanopenspacecontribution,andnofurthercontributionisabletobelevied

• Thelackofperceivedimportanceofopenspaceasalanduse,anditshighvalueforhousing

• Thesizeoflandparcelsbeingdevelopedareoftensmall

• Thecostofbothlandandchallengingdevelopers

InMorelandtheseresidentialsettlementtypeshavebeenidentifiedassuburban,medium/higherdensityandactivitycentres.SuburbanrelatestotheresidentialsuburbsofMoreland,medium/higherdensityrelatestoareasofhigherresidentialdensitylocatedclosertocommercialcentres,andactivitycentresareareaswithaconcentrationofcommercialandotherhigherdensitylanduses.However,Morelandisalsoexperiencinghigherdensitiesintheresidentialhinterlandaswellandthiswillneedtobemonitoredtoassesstheimpactonopenspaceprovisionintheseareas.

Core levels of serviceCorelevelsofserviceestablishquantitativeandqualitativecriteriaforeachkeyopenspacefunctiontoensurethespacecanbefitforpurpose.Theseservicelevelsfocusonspacesneededclosetoresidents:social/familyrecreation,sports,andsharedtrails,andthedistinctionbetweenspacesofeachfunctionatthelocal,district,andregionalcatchmentlevel(see Appendix 2: Classifications and core levels of service on page 118).

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 5. The open space planning framework 35

6.SupplyofopenspaceinMoreland

36 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 6. Supply of open space in Moreland

Current provision of open space in MorelandIntheCityofMorelandthereisanestimated839haofopenspace.Thisincludeslocalanddistrictlevelparksutilisedforarangeoffunctions,sportsreserves,openspaceadjacenttotheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks,andlargeindividualareasatNorthernGolfClub,FawknerMemorialPark,andNorthernMemorialPark(see Map 1: Provision of Open Space in Moreland on page 42).

Currentlythereis6.2haofopenspaceperthousandresidentsinMoreland(4.2hapubliclyaccessibleopenspacenotincludingrestrictedaccesslandsuchastheNorthernGolfCourseandtheFawknerMemorialPark).

Some200.2haofopenspaceisprovidedspecificallyforsportandrecreation.Thisequatesto1.5haperthousandresidents.

Significantopenspaceexistsinadjacentmunicipalities,includingatRoyalPark;PrincesPark;andalongMooneePondsandMerriCreeks,whichprovidevaluableopenspaceaccesstolocalresidentsandenvironmentalbenefitsforMoreland.ItisthereforeimportantforMorelandtoworkwithadjacentmunicipalitiestoprotectandenhancetheseopenspacesandmaintainaccess.

Additionalprivateopenspaceisprovidedinschoolsites.Theimportanceofthesespaces,particularlyforyoungpeople’suseafterhours,shouldnotbeoverlookedandCouncilshouldworktodevelopMemorandaofUnderstandingwithschoolswherethereisadeficitofaccessibleopenspace.

Municipality overviewDistribution of open spaceTheprimaryfunctionofspaceshasbeenmappedasatooltoindicateapointintimedistributionofopenspacebenefits,andthediversityofopportunities.

Assomespacesprovidemultiplevaluesthisanalysisprovidesonlyahighlevelassessment.

ThedistributionofpublicopenspacebyfunctionacrossthemunicipalityisshowninMap 2: Moreland Public Open Space by Function Type (page 43).

Forthekeyopenspacefunctionsneededclosetohome,distancethresholdshavebeenidentifiedbyfunction.Thesehavebeenappliedtoeachopenspacetodeterminethedistributionofopenspaceasanindicatorofhowfarresidentsshouldbeexpectedtotraveltoaspace.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 6. Supply of open space in Moreland 37

Thisstrategyrecommendsthatopenspaceisprovidedwithin500mofallresidentialproperties,and300mofallactivitycentres.Duetothespecificrequirementtoprovidesomefunctiontypes,sharedtrailswithin800m;andsportsreserveswithin1kmofallresidentialproperties.

AreasofMorelandnotadequatelyservedbyopenspacewithinthestateddistancehavebeenmapped(see Map 5 Open Space Strategic Priorities on page 46).

Thisprovidesthebasisforseekingadditionalopenspacesorimprovingexistingopenspaceandlinkagestoenhanceaccessibilitytoadiversityofopenspacebenefits.

Map 5 Open Space Strategic PrioritiesprovidesanoverallassessmentofMoreland’sopenspace,andpriorityareasforadditionalprovision.

Whilstthedistancethresholdsarebasedontheprimaryfunctionoftheopenspace,anysecondaryfunctionofexistingusesshouldbeconsideredbeforefurtherprovisionorenhancementsaremade.

Inaddition,openspaceownedbyotherauthorities,suchasschools,oropenspaceabuttingCouncilboundariesshouldbeconsideredwhendeterminingstrategiestoenhanceprovision.ThisincludessignificantareasofopenspacealongtheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks,atJackRoperReserve(northoftheWesternRingRoad),andRoyalPark.

Analysisshowsthatsportsreservesinthemunicipalityaregenerallywelldistributedwithina1kmcatchmentofresidences.ThemainexceptionstothisaretheTullamarineandGowanbraesuburbs.Furtherpocketswhereopenspaceforsportisnotwelldistributedincludethefarnorthandfarsouthofthemunicipality(althoughaccesstoothermunicipality’ssportsfacilitiesisnearby),NorthBrunswick,andtheeasternedgeofCoburg.Note: The distribution of open space for sport does not imply that that there is adequate provision for specific sports.

Fewareasarewellservedbysocial/familyrecreationspaces,howeversomesportingreservesandschoolsprovidethisasasecondaryfunctionandtheseshouldbefurtherinvestigatedtodeterminepriorityareasforenhancingthequalityandquantityofsocial/familyrecreationspaces.

Thehighestpriorityareaforconsideringfurthersocial/familyrecreationspaceisFawknerandGlenroy.

Areasnotwellservedbysharedtrailswereassessed.WhilsttheMooneePondsCreek,UpfieldRailwayLine,andMerriCreekprovidegoodtrailaccessinanorth-southdirection,additionaleast-westsharedtrailsareneededtoprovideagooddistributionofoff-roadtrails.


Given Melbourne’s drought prone climate, having a policy on sustainable water use on open space is important. Sportsgrounds in particular require irrigation that ensures a playable surface all year round.

39Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 6. Supply of open space in Moreland

DiversityTheCityhasarelativelygooddistributionandrangeoftypesofopenspace.Ithasanunusuallyhighquantityoflanddedicatedtomemorialparks,astheseareregionalassetsservingthewholeofMelbourne’snorth.ForaninnercityCouncil,Morelandalsohasagoodresourceoflandreservedforconservationoffloraandfauna.

Theareaandnumberofopenspacesservingsocial/familyrecreationarelessgenerousandthesearenotwelldistributed.

ThefollowingtableshowsthenumberofopenspacesbyfunctioninMoreland.

Table 1. The total area, and percentage of area of open space, by function type

Primary Function TypeArea (ha)

% of total area

Accessway/sharedtrail 26.4 2.5

Social/familyrecreation(includingplay) 74.4 8.9

Sport 200.2 23.9

Civicgathering/forecourt 0.4 <1.0

Conservation(floraandfauna) 190.1 22.7

Heritage 20 2.4

Memorialpark/cemetery 204.5 24.4

Relaxation/contemplationorvisualamenity 35.1 4.2

Utility/drainagefloodway 64.6 7.7

Communityhorticulture4 3.8 <1.0

Noidentifiedfunction 19.4 2.3

TheCityalsohasarelativelygoodrangeofspacesbasedonlandscapesettingtype.Thereisasurprisingquantityoftreedparklandorbushland,consideringthedistancefromtheCBD.AlargeproportionofthisareaistheFawknerMemorialPark,forwhichCouncilisnotresponsible.

Therearenospaceswithanexoticornamentalgardenform(althoughthememorialparksarequiteornamental),andtherearefewpavedopenspaces.

ThefollowingtableshowsthenumberofspacesbylandscapesettingtypeinMoreland.Wheretherearenospacesforalandscapesettingtype,oraproliferationofothersthereistheopportunityforCounciltoidentifyothersitestodiversifytothesesettings(see Map 3: Moreland Public Open Space by Landscape Typeon page 44).

Table 2. The total area, and percentage of area of open space, by landscape setting types

Landscape Setting TypeArea (ha)

% of total area

Opengrassyarea 113 13.5

Treedparkland 336.6 40.1

Pavedarea 0.1 <1.0

Waterbody/wetland 17.5 2.1

Lawnormanagedturf 179.8 21.4

Specialisedsportsurface 13.7 1.6

Ornamentalgarden NIL NIL

Bushland/nativegrassland 174.3 20.8

Vegetablegarden/farm5 3.8 <1.0

Thefollowingmapsillustratethedistributionofopenspacesbyfunctiontypes,andsettingtypeandthepriorityareaswheredistributionshouldbeaddressed.


The extensive use of sustainable horticulture and the use of indigenous plants for habitat creation have reinvigorated all our parks, providing a diversity of experiences for our community and providing valuable habitats that have brought back many native birds and other wildlife.


Map 1: Provision of Open Space


Map 2: Public Open Space Primary Function Type


Map 3: Public Open Space Landscape Type


Map 4: Indigenous Vegetation


Map 5: Moreland Open Space Strategy Strategic Priorities


47

There will be an increasing need to develop strategies to slow water, potentially through wetlands and plantings, and continue efforts to reduce water runoff from the built environment into the catchment.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 6. Supply of open space in Moreland

Analysis shows that sports reserves in the municipality are generally well distributed within a 1km catchment of residences.


Open space supply by suburbBrunswickBrunswick(includingNorthFitzroy)has80.3haofpublicopenspace,asignificantproportionofwhichistheMerriCreekLinearReserve.

Thesuburbhasthehighestprovisioninthemunicipalityforsocial/familyrecreationopenspace,withmajorsiteslocatedatGilpinPark,andJonesReserve.CERESCommunityEnvironmentalParkperformsacommunityhorticulture/farmandassocialfamily/recreationasasignificantsecondaryfunction.

SportisgenerallywelldistributedinBrunswick,exceptintheverysouthofthesuburb;howeverRoyalParksouthofthemunicipalityprovidesopenspaceforsport.

AsignificantpieceofopenspaceforBrunswickistheBrunswickCentralParklands,madeupofGillonOval,RaeburnReserve,BrunswickPark,CliftonPark,andGilpinPark.Theareaservesboththeresidentialandindustrialareas.Itisasignificantsportingprecinct,withadesiretoincludeaskatepark,andGilpinandBrunswickParkbeingkeypassiverecreationsites.Linkagesthrough,toandaroundthewholeprecinctarecriticalforthefunctioningofthiskeyopenspacenetwork.

DuetotheincreasingdensityofthepopulationinBrunswickandthealreadylimitedamountofopenspaceservicingthepopulationitwillbecriticaltomaintaintheliveabilityofthearea.Itwillbevitaltoensurethatnotonlytheamenityoftheexistingopenspaceisprotected,thatsitesareidentifiedwherelandcouldbepurchasedforopenspaceorimprovedlinkagestoopenspace.

CoburgCoburghas152.4haofpublicopenspace.Twomajorsocial/familyrecreationspaces,LakeReserveandHarmonyPark,arelocatedhere.EdgarsandMerriCreeksprovidethemajorbushlandopenspaceinthesuburb,withtheUpfieldRailwayLineprovidinganothervaluablenorth-southorientedoffroadtrail.

Onlyfiveparcelsofsocial/familyrecreationopenspaceareidentifiedinthesuburb,withLakeReservethemostsignificantsocial/familyrecreationreserveinMoreland.Therearealargenumberofsmallerspaceswithaplayfunction,suggestingthereisscopeforembellishmentofsomeofthesespacestocaterforawiderrangeofagegroupsandactivities.

Coburgisrelativelywellservedbyopenspace,howevertherearesomesmallpocketswithpooraccesstoopenspace,andkeybarriers,suchasSydneyRoad,BellStreetandtheUpfieldRailwaythatmakeitdifficulttoaccessopenspacesafely.

FawknerThe87.4haofopenspaceinFawkneriscomprisessignificanttractsofbushlandandopengrassyareasalongMerriCreekparklandwithseverallargesportsreserves,includingMoombaParkandCBSmithandCharlesMuttonReserves.ItalsoincludesMoreland’smostdiversegrasslandreserve,JukesRoadGrassland(BababiDjininang).

Fawknerisleastwellprovidedforbysocial/familyrecreationspace(thanallothersuburbs),particularlyinthefarnorthofthesuburb.Councilcouldlookatupgradingsomeofthelargeropenspaces,toprovideadiversityofsocialandrecreationopportunities.

Therearemanysmallreservesdottedthroughoutthesuburbwithverylimiteddiversityandthiscouldbeimproved,includingsomeareasofornamentalstylehorticulture.


GlenroyThe381.4haofopenspaceinGlenroy/HadfieldisdominatedbytheFawknerMemorialParksite(202ha)andtheprivatelyownedNorthernGolfCourse(53ha).Whilstprovidingsomerelieffromthebuiltenvironment,theFawknerMemorialParkhaslimitationsasarecreationalspace.BothsitesalsocontainasignificantamountofMoreland’sintactremnantvegetationsites.

TwosignificantareaswithinthesuburbofGlenroyhavepooraccesstoopenspace.ThereisalargeareaparticularlytotheeastoftheGlenroyStructurePlanareawhichisclosetotheNorthernGolfCourse.Thisisacrucialareatoprovideforopenspaceandthepurchaseoflandshouldbeconsideredtocaterforalargesocialfamilyrecreationspace.

TheNorthernGolfCourseitselfisacriticalgreenspaceandCouncilshouldlooktonegotiatethedevelopmentofalongperimetersharedtrailaroundthecourse.

Openspaceforsportisadequatelydistributed,withWallaceReserveprovidingthemajoropenspaceforsportingplayingfields.

Social/familyrecreationspaceislackinginthissuburb.Theamountofsmallerspaceswithaplayfunction,suggeststhereisscopeforimprovementstosomeofthesespacestocaterforawiderrangeofagegroupsandactivities.

Thesuburblacksanyeast-westsharedtrailstolinkthemainpathsalongMooneePondsCreekandtheUpfieldLine.TheBroadmeadowsrailwaylinesharedpathshouldcontinuetobepursuedtoprovideanothernorth/southaccessroute.

Gowanbrae AsignificantamountofGowanbrae’s45.2haofopenspacehasavisualamenityfunction,andallspaceshaveeithertreedparklandoropengrassyarealandscapesetting,indicatinglittlediversityofopportunitiesorexperiencesinthearea.

Manyoftheareassetasideforopenspaceareverysteepanddifficulttoaccess,howeverthethreemajorreserves,ElmsCourt,CommunityCentreandRiversideWalkshouldbefurtherdeveloped,withgoodsharedaccesspathsthroughthesuburbtoimproveaccessibilitytothereservesandtothekeysharedtrailsoftheMooneePondsCreekandtheWesternRingRoad.PedestrianandbikeaccesstoOakPark,particularlyadjacenttoOutlookDrive,shouldbepursued.

TheGowanbraeRetardingBasinaccountsforoverathirdofGowanbrae’sopenspace,howeverasthesiteisprimarilyfordrainageitprovideslimitedrecreationalopportunities.

Therearelimitedopportunitiesforsport(duetothesteepnessofmostoftheopenspace)andthisisthereforeapriorityforprovisionforGowanbrae,oratleastprovidingeasieraccesstothesportsfieldsinGlenroyoradjacentCityofHume.


Oak ParkOakParkhas29.3haofopenspacewithlargetractsinFranStreetReserve,KingsfordSmithUlmReserve,JohnPascoeFawknerReserve,andOakParkSportsCentre.Theseprovidesportandvisualamenityfunctions.Thearealacksanysocial/familyrecreationspace,althoughthesportsparksshouldbefurtherdevelopedtoprovidethisfunction.

TheMooneePondsCreeksharedpathprovidesavaluableoff-roadtrailthroughthesuburb.ThereisaneedtoimproveaccessbetweenOakParkandGowanbraethroughbridgesacrosstheMooneePondsCreekandimprovedconnectivity.

Pascoe Vale PascoeValehasarelativelylowprovisionofopenspace(62.7ha).Thereisverylimitedsocial/familyrecreationspace,orspaceforsharedtrails.AlargeareaofthepopulationtothenorthandsouthofBellStreethasverypooraccesstoopenspace,particularlywiththebarrierofBellStreet.

Councilshouldlookforopportunitiestoacquireopenspaceinthesuburbwherepossible,createsafelinkagestoopenspaceanddiversifyexistingopenspaceexperiences.

TullamarineOnlyasmallresidentialarea(0.4ha)inTullamarinefallswithintheMorelandmunicipality.Onlytwoparcelsofopenspace,LeicesterSquareReserveandMalvernAvenueReserve,arefoundinthesuburbwhichservicestheimmediateresidentialproperties.

Asitisanisolatedcommunityandtheopenspaceamenityispoor,Councilshouldlooktodeveloponeofthespacesasasocialfamilyrecreationspaceandprovideadifferentlandscapesettingfortheotherspacetoprovidediversity.ImprovedlinkagestobothGowanbraeandtheMooneeValleyCityCouncilarecriticalforthiscommunity.


7. DemandforopenspaceinMoreland

52 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 7. Demand for open space in Moreland

Implications of demographic profile on open spaceTheCityofMorelandhadapopulationinexcessof147,000peoplein20114,spreadrelativelyevenlythroughoutthemunicipality.Overthenext20years,thisnumberisexpectedtoincreasebyalmost20%,equatingtonearly30,000additionalresidents.5

In2011,BrunswickStatisticalLocalAreas’(includesBrunswick,BrunswickWestandBrunswickEast)populationwas45,123.CoburgSLA’s(includesCoburg,CoburgNorth,PascoeValeSouthand80%ofPascoeVale)populationwas51,098.NorthSLA’s(includesGlenroy,Gowanbrae,OakPark,Hadfield,Fawknerand20%ofPascoeVale)populationwas51,024.

Overthreequarters(79%)ofthemunicipality’spopulationgrowthisexpectedtooccurintheBrunswickandCoburgSLA’s,withtheNorthSLAonlyexpectedtoaccountfor21%ofpopulationgrowth.ThemostsignificantgrowthispredictedtooccurinBrunswickandBrunswickEast,withthepopulationsrisingby38.7%and103.5%respectively.ThiswillresultinhigherdensitiesintheBrunswickandCoburgarea.OpportunitiestosecurelandthroughActivityCentreplanningandfurtherstrategicworkundertakentogainopenspaceinrezonedindustrialuseareasandredesignationofspacestocreateopenspace,i.e.roadclosures,shouldbeundertakentoensureadequateopenspaceprovision.

Asgreenfielddevelopmentopportunitiesisexpectedtobelimited,Councilmayneedtoidentifyalternativeformsofopenspaceoutsideofthetraditionalgreenareastoaddressgapsinprovision,suchaspiazzasorpubliccommonsquaressetasideforactiverecreationuseaspartoflargerdevelopments.However‘greening’opportunitiesshouldbemaximisedatalltimes,particularlytheprovisionofin-situtreesinthesemorepavedenvironments.

4. Census data for 2012 was used to update the demographic, age and housing profile (the remaining data was not available at time of adoption).

5. City of Moreland Population Forecasts, .id Consulting Pty Ltd, 2011.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 7. Demand for open space in Moreland 53

6. City of Moreland Community Profile, .id Consulting Pty Ltd, 2011.

Age profile In2011,thelargestagegroupisthatof25-29yearolds,(morethan10%ofthetotalpopulation),with42.8%ofthisagegroupresidingintheBrunswickSLA.Thisisexpectedtobethelargestagegroupupuntil2021.Between2006and2011,thisagegroupshowedthelargestincreaseinpopulation,constituting23.4%ofthetotalpopulationincreaseduringthatperiod.Tomotivatethisagegrouptouseopenspacesocialsportsopportunitiessuchashardcourtsandplacestoskateandsocialize,aswellasoffroadtrailswillbeimportant.Teenagersneedsinopenspacehavenotbeenwelladdressedinthepast.Theyneedspaceswheretheycanmeetfriends,seeandbeseen.Council’soxygenProjectshouldcontinuetofeedintoopenspacedevelopmenttocaterforyouthneeds.

Thegreatestratesofchangeinnumberofresidentsby2031areexpectedtobeinthe55-59yearand85+agegroups.Physicalandoutdoorrecreationactivitydeclinessharplyafter65yearsofage,thereforetoencouragefurtherrecreationopportunitiesforthisagegroupagooddistributionofaccessiblespaces,safeplacestowalkandcycle,andappropriateamenities,suchasseatingandshadewillberequired.Morehorticulturalbasedandornamentalspacesorenvironmentalfocusedprogramsmayalsoappealtothisagegroup.

TheageoftheadditionalpopulationprojectedisexpectedtovarysignificantlyacrossthethreeSLA’s.Forinstance,Brunswickisprojectedtohaveahigherproportionofthepopulationbetween20-40yearsthannorthernareasofthemunicipality.ThisislikelytoresultincontinueddemandforarangeofdwellingtypesandopenspacesacrossMoreland.Councilshouldbeconsideringthesechangesinageprofilingintermsofthepressureappliedtoopenspace.

Withacontinueddiversityinagegroupsthedevelopmentofmoreintergenerationalsocial/familyrecreationopenspace(whichhavethecapacitytoaccommodatearangeofagegroups,activitiesandusers),willbeimportant,especiallyinhigherdensityandretailareas.

Housing TherehasbeenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofhousesinMoreland,risingfrom59,291dwellingsin2006to63,302in2011.

HouseholdsacrossMorelandhavechangedoverthepastdecadewithamarkedincreaseinlonepersonhouseholds,particularlyinthesouthofthemunicipality.ThemajorityofhouseholdsinthenorthofthemunicipalityarestillfamiliesandCouncilshouldcontinuetomakespacesandactivitiesconvenient,providesocialactivitiesandoutletsinopenspaceandensureinformationisavailabletopromotethesocialandhealthbenefitsofuseoftheopenspace.

Income and educationIncomeisasignificantindicatorofleisurebehaviourandlikelytoaffecttheuseofopenspace.Familieswithhigherdisposableincomesaremorelikelytospendmoneyontravel,membershipfeesandequipmenttoparticipateinsportandoutdoorrecreationactivities.Lowerincomefamiliesmayalsohavealowerperceivedvalueofopenspace,particularlyinthehealthbenefitsaccruedfromuse,andbeconstrainedbylackoftransportandotherbarriersinusingopenspace.

Asexpected,incomeislinkedtolevelsofeducation,andrecreationparticipationissignificantlyhigherforhigherincome/educationresidents.

ThemajorityofresidentsinMorelandfallintothebottomhalfofindividualincomegroups,withalmost55%ofthepopulationbeinginthemediumlowest($10,673to$24,976)tolowestincomequartiles($0to$10,636)6.Glenroy,Fawkner,HadfieldandCoburgNorthhavesignificantpocketsofdisadvantage.Averageindividualincomedecreasesfurthernorth.Brunswickresidentshaveanaverageindividualincomeof$47,713;northernresidentshaveanaverageindividualincomeof$42,992.

Considerableinterventionswillberequiredtoincreaseuseandvalueofopenspacebypeoplewithlowincomeswhooftenalsoexperienceotherformsofsocialdisadvantagebecausetheymaybenewarrivalsorhaveadisabilityorlanguagebarrierforexample.




9. City of Moreland Population Forecasts, .id Consulting Pty Ltd, 2011.


Some47.3%ofMoreland’spopulationhasnoformalqualifications.Thesefigureshowever,arechangingwithadeclineof8.2%inthosewithnoqualifications,andanincreaseof5.4%inresidentswithbachelororhigherdegreessince2001.7

Councilcanaddressconstraintstorecreationuseforlowerincome/educationresidentsbyprovidingmoreofaneducationalroleandimprovingaccessibilitytofacilitiesthroughitsActiveMorelandprogram.

EmploymentUnemploymentratesinMorelandgenerallyincreasethefurtheronetravelsfromtheMelbourneCBD.IntheMarch2012quarter,Brunswick’sunemploymentrateis5.5%,Coburg’sunemploymentrateis5.4%,andnorthernareas,suchasGlenroy,haveunemploymentratesof7.5%.Thereisalsoacorrelationwithage,withaffectthoseagedunder25yearsandover55yearsmorelikelytobeover-representedinunemploymentstatisticsthanotheragegroups.

Peoplewhoareunemployedmaynothavethesameopportunitiesasotherstoparticipateinoutdoorrecreationactivitiesawayfromhome,orhavethesamesocialnetworkingopportunitiesthatleadtorecreationparticipation.

Councilcanexpressthesocialandhealthbenefitsofinvolvingthecommunityinrecreation,throughmarketingandpromotionofactivitiesthatcanbeundertakenatloworminimalcosttousersinlocalopenspace.

Ethnicity and languageMorelandischaracterisedbyaculturallyandlinguisticallydiversecommunitywithmorethanonethird(33.8%)ofMorelandresidentsbornoverseas8.Thisequatestosome49,750peoplein2011,andisprojectedtoincreasetosome59,422in2031.9

ThemaincountriesofbirthofcurrentresidentsinMorelandotherthanAustraliaareItaly,India,Greece,andtheUnitedKingdom,howeverthemaincountriesofbirthofnewarrivalstotheareadifferfromthesetraditionalgroups.AhighproportionofnewarrivalstoMorelandareborninChina,Pakistan,SriLanka,PhilippinesandIraq.

OverhalftheMorelandpopulation(59%)hadbothparentsbornoverseas.ThemainlanguagesotherthanEnglishspokenathomeareItalian,Greek,Arabic,TurkishandChinese,withjustoverhalfofresidents(54.8%)speakingEnglishathome.10

Ethnicityhasastronginfluenceonanindividual’sattitudetoandparticipationinrecreationactivity.Someculturalgroupshaveparticularneeds.Forexample,Muslimswillnotusebarbequesthatmayhavebeenusedforthepreparationofpork,andtheyarenotlikelytohaveadogasapet.Thestrongdemandforsportssuchassoccerisanindicationofculturalheritage.ConsiderableworkisbeingdonethroughActiveMorelandtoencouragepeoplebornoverseastoparticipateinsportandrecreation.Akeyfocuswillneedtobeoneducationandinformationonopenspaceopportunitiesaswellasaddressingbarrierssuchascostandaccessibility.


Community preferences and demandSummaryPublicconsultationwasundertakenthroughahouseholdertelephonesurveyin2010withintheMunicipalPublicHealthPlan.Atotalof613Morelandresidentsbetween18and54weresurveyed.Keyfindingsfromthesurveyareasfollows:

Amenity and facilitiesRespondentswereaskedabouttheirsatisfactionwithopenspacesandthebuiltenvironment.

Overhalfofrespondentsweresatisfiedwitheachoftheaspectsofopenspaceandbuiltenvironmentgiven.

Over80%ofrespondentsweresatisfiedwiththenumberofwalkingtracksintheirlocalarea(see Figure 2)howeverCouncilshouldnotethelowersatisfactionwiththeamenitiesprovided.

Figure 2. Respondents levels of satisfaction with aspects of open spaces and the built environment

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Usage of open spaceRespondentstothesurveywereaskedhowoftentheyusegreenspacessuchasparksandgardensinMoreland.

UsageofgreenspaceinMorelandwasfoundtoberelativelyfrequent.Fifteenpercentreportedthattheyusegreenspacesdaily,32%reported2-3timesaweek,and25%reportedonceaweek.

Only4%reportedthattheyneverusegreenspacesinMoreland.Theserespondentsweremorelikelytobemale,particularlyolder(35to54years)malesandthosewhohaveobtainedaneducationbelowYear12.

RespondentswereaskedforwhatpurposetheyusegreenspacesinMoreland(see Figure 3).Themostcommonreasonsforusagewasexercise,andfortakingchildrenalongtoplay.Otherreasonsrelatedtootherformsofexercisesuchaswalkingthedogorgeneralleisure,recreationorsports.Thisemphasisestherangeoffunctiontypeandlandscapesettingsrequiredforhighusageoftheopenspacenetwork.Around1in10reportedtheyusegreenspaceforrelaxationorstress release purposes.

Figure 3. Reasons respondents frequent green spaces

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Respondentswerealsoaskedwhytheydon’tusegreenspacesinMorelandmoreoften(see Table 3 below).Themostcommonreasonsrelatedtobeingtoobusyorpreferringtodootherthingswiththeirtime.Arangeofotherreasonswerecitedbyasmallnumberofrespondentssuchasparksnotbeingwellmaintained,feelingunsafe,oralackofparkfacilities.

Table 3. Reasons respondents do not frequent open space

Reason for Infrequent usageRespondents

(%)

Toobusy/workcommitments/notime 29

Noparticularreason 25

Prefertodootherthingswithmytimeontheweekend 20

Notconvenient/closetohome 13

Toolateordarkafterwork 9

Don’tknowwheretheyare 4

Notwellmaintained 4

Duetoweather/cold/mud 3

Haveownyard/noneedforpark 3

Gotoother/nicerparks 3

Lackoffacilities 2

Unsafe/don’tfeelsafe 1

Medical/healthreasons 1

Nochildren’splayequipment 1

Nochildren/childrenoldernow 1

Don’tgooutmuch 1

Overcrowded <1

Theseresultsindicatethatinfrequentusageislikelytobelinkedwithpersonalpreferenceand/orlackofdesiretousegreenspacesfollowedbynotconvenient,notclosetohome.Councilmustrespondtothetimeconstraintsplacedonindividualsthroughenhancingaccessibilitytoopenspaceifuseistoincrease.

Youngerpeopleaged18-24yearsweremorelikelytoreportthattheydonotusegreenspaces,becausetheydonotknowwheretheyare,andthiswasparticularlythecaseforyoungerfemales(21%).

ThosewhospeakalanguageotherthanEnglishathomewerelesslikelytousegreenspacesbecausetheyaretoobusyorhaveworkcommitments(35%)comparedwiththosewhospeakEnglishonlyathome(24%).

WhilstalmosthalfofthosewhohaveobtainedaneducationbelowYear12hadnoparticularreasonastowhytheydonotusegreenspaces,theywerealsoamongthosewhoweremorelikelytogivereasonssuchastheyaretoobusy/haveworkcommitments(36%)ortheyprefertodootherthingswiththeirtime(26%).

Improvements to open spaceRespondentswereaskedwhattheywouldmostliketoseeimprovedoraddedtopublicspacesorparks(see Figure 4).Theseresponseshavebeengroupedintothemestodemonstratewhethertheyweremorelikelytorelatetoparticularthemesmorethanothers.

Figure 4. Aspects of public spaces or parks that could be improved

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Usage of green space in Moreland was found to be relatively frequent. Fifteen percent reported that they use green spaces daily, 32% reported 2-3 times a week, and 25% reported once a week.

59Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 7. Demand for open space in Moreland

Ofnotewasthat30%ofrespondentsreportedthattherewasnothing(ortheydidnotknow)whattheywouldliketoseeimproved.Thisindicatesalackofawarenessofopenspace,somethingCouncilcanaddressthroughgreatermarketingandpromotion.

Commentsaboutrecreationfacilitiesweremostcommon;with20%citingsomethingshouldbeimprovedoradded.Closeranalysisofthisthemerevealedtheseindividualsweremostlikelytocitemoreplaygrounds/playequipment/skateparks/orupdatedplayequipment,followedbybettermaintainedwalkingtracks.Furthercommonthemesincluded:improvementstogeneralamenities;(specificallymoreseats);barbecuesanddrinkingfountains;commentsrelatedtotrees;plantsandgardens(specificallyintermsofmoregreenspaces,parksandgardens);andbettermaintenanceofparksandgardens;andmoretrees.

Femalesinparticularwouldliketoseeimprovementstothegeneralamenities,shelter/shadeandgeneralcleanlinessofpublicspacesandparksinMoreland.

Generalamenitieswasalsomoreofaconcernamongyoungerresidentsaged18-34yearswhereasresidentsaged45-54yearsandthosefromnon-Englishspeakinghouseholdsweremorelikelytosuggestimprovementsrelatedtotrees,plantsandgardens.

Improvementstorecreationfacilitiesandshelter/shadeweremorelikelytobementionedbyyoungfamilies(youngestchildunder6years).

Role of open spaceRespondentsnotethemostpopularrolesofopenspacerelatedtowildlifehabitat/nature,relaxation,andexercise/health/wellbeing.

Therewasanappreciationthatopenspacecanandshouldmeetbothhumanandnatureconservationneeds.Habitatlinkswereregardedasofvitalimportance,withtheuseofindigenousspecieswidelysupported.

Therewasalsoastrongrecognitionofthecreeksaspartofbothopenspaceandwatermanagementsystems,withanemphasisonwaterqualityissues.

Adequacy of provisionVariationintheavailabilityofopenspacethroughoutthemunicipalityhasbeenrecognisedasakeyissueforresidents.Generallythereisadesireformoreopenspace,andstrongsupportfortheprincipleofanequitabledistributionthroughoutthemunicipality.Someareashaveaccesstoinadequateopenspace,andareaswhereincreasinghousingdensitieswillmeananincreasedneedformoreopenspace.

Itwassuggestedthatmanyareascouldsupportahigherlevelofuseforawiderrangeofactivities.Throughbetterlinksbetweenopenspaceareas,andbetweenopenspaceandadjoininguses,openspacecouldalsobemademoreavailabletoawiderrangeofpeople.


Whiletherewasadesireformoreopenspace,mostpeoplesawthisasunrealisticandthereforesuggestedwaysofincreasingthediversity,qualityandaccessibilityofwhatalreadyexists.

Manyrespondentsquestionedtherelativeallocationsfordifferentusesinopenspace,suggestingthatthereisaneedformoreinformalrecreationareas,moremulti-useareasandfewersingle-purposesportinggrounds.

Lossofareasusedasopenspacebutnotreservedforthispurposewasaconcernthroughoutthemunicipality,aswasthesellingofgovernmentland.

Alargeregionalparkwasalsoproposed.Co-operativeplanningacrossmunicipalboundariesandwithintheregionwasseenasawayofprovidingmoreopenspaceopportunitieswithoutnecessarilyacquiringmoreopenspace.

Newopportunitiesforopenspaceprovisionweregenerallyseenasbeinglimitedtothebetteruseofotherurbanspacessuchasshoppingcentres,railwaylines,andstreetsaspartofouropenspacenetwork.

Quality and diversity of existing open spaceThequalityofopenspacethroughoutthemunicipalitywasregardedbyrespondentsas;variable.Whilstsomehigh-qualityareaswereidentified,mostwerelackingincharacteranddistinctivedesign.

Whilstseenasimportant,smalllocalparksweremostoftenseenbyrespondentsasbeingofpoorquality,offeringasamenessofexperience(i.e.grassandacoupleoftrees)toparkusers.

Someopenspaceareaswereseenasnotadequatelyfulfillingtheirintendedpurposeduetopoorlydesignedandlocatedfacilities,andthelackofbasicamenitysuchasshade,shelter,trees,andseats;andthefrequency/qualityofmaintenance.

Safetyandfeelingsafewhileusingopenspaceemergedasamajorissueformanypeople,particularly,womenandolderpeople.Themainproblemshighlightedwerelackoflighting,lackofcleaning(brokenglass,syringes),andlackof“supervision”.Unmanageddogsofftheleashalsoratedhighly.

Animportantthemetoemergewastheneedtoprovidethemeansandresourcestodirectlyinvolvelocalpeopleandopenspaceusersinredesigningopenspaceareas.Thiscanhavetheeffectofgivingthecommunityasenseofownershipofaspace.


Unmet needsTheneedsofolderpeoplearewidelyrecognisedasbeingunder-cateredforinMoreland’sopenspace.Meetingbasicneedssuchasseatswithaview(perhapsnearaplayarea),shade,well-maintainedpathsandprovidingawiderrangeofopportunitieswasseenasvitaltocaterforMoreland’sageingcommunity.

Children’splayareaswereseenasvaryinginquality,withlittlediversityavailableacrossthemunicipality.Smallplayareasclosetohome,andspaceswhereinformalballgamesareallowedwereimportant.Playareasforolderchildrenareperceivedtobelacking.Social/familyrecreationopenspaceshouldcaterforarangeofages.

Playinginthestreetwasoncepartofinnercitylife,andsaferstreetswherechildrencanplayclosetohomewasdesiredbymany.

Localplaces,closetohomeandeasytoaccessonfootwereseenasimportantforolderpeopleandparents(generallywomen)withyoungchildren.Larger,extendedfamiliesneedlargerclustersoffacilitiesandanenvironmentthatissafeandaccessiblefortheyoungestthroughtotheoldestperson.

Creatingmorepleasantspacesalongneighbourhoodstreets,nearshoppingcentresandcommunityvenueswasregardedasagoodopportunitytomakebetteruseofsmallspacesforadultsandchildren,createlinksbetweenopenspaces,andmakesafer,morepleasantneighbourhoods.

Youth SpacesTheoxYgen ProjectexploresthepossibilitiesofcreatingyouthspacesandservicesinMoreland.Theprojectisguidedbyacommitteeofyoungpeopleaged12-25yearsold,andgivesyoungpeopletheopportunitytohaveasayandinfluencedecisionmakingintheirowncommunity.

ResearchhasbeenundertakenaspartoftheoxYgen Projectontheneedsofyouthissuesrelatingtoopenspaceincluding:

• Theneedtofeelwelcomeandincludedinthepublicrealm(parks,shoppingcentresandcommunityfacilities)andinschools

• GeneraldisappointmentinthestateofMoreland’sstreets,buildingsandparks(old,dirty,rundown,unappealing,fullofrubbish,poorlighting,landscapingandsignage)

• Suggestionstoimproveyouthissuesinopenspaceincluded:

• Improvedmaintenanceandamenityofparksandopenspace(moretrees,shade,seating,lighting,drinkfountains,publicartandplayequipmentforolderchildrenandteenagers,aswellasmoreyoutheventsandfestivals)

• More,orbettersportsfacilities:soccerfields;halfbasketballcourts;BMXtracksandskateparks;andindoorsportscentres

• Youthfriendlyspacesespeciallyforsportandphysicalactivityandformalorganisedprogramsaswellasplacestohangoutandsocialise

• Amulti-purposespacethatcouldbeusedforarangeofdifferentactivitiesbyarangeofdifferentgroupsthatensuredthephysicalsafetyandinclusionofyoungpeople


• Severalideasemergedforopenspacefacilities:

• Anadventurepark

• Wildnaturalareas

• Performancespaces

• Lakesandwaterfeatures

• Amajorparkprovidingforarangeofinformalrecreationuses

• Placesforquietreflection

• Communityallotmentgardens

• Publicartworks

• Exerciseandactivitysitesalongtrails

• Parkour

Information distributionSurveyrespondentswereaskedtocommentonhowtheycurrentlyseeorhearaboutCouncilandcommunityactivitiesandhowtheywouldprefertoreceiveinformation.

Themajorityobtaininformationfromthelocalnewspaper(68%),whichisrelativelyconsistentwithhowtheyprefertoreceivetheirinformation(53%).Otherlesscommonsourcesincludedbrochuresornewslettersinthemail,andthereappearstobemoreofapreferenceforthelatterthancurrentbehavioursuggests.

Electronicsources,specificallytheinternetand/oremailalsorankedrelativelyhighlyaspreferredinformationsourcesalthoughthiswasnotspecificallylinkedwiththeCouncil’swebsite.

Betterinformationaboutwhatisavailablewasalsoseenasakey.


8.KeyGoalsandobjectives

64 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 8. Key Goals and objectives

In taking all the issues and opportunities raised in the body of the Open Space Strategy the following goals and objectives formulate the direction of the Strategy for the next 10 years and provide for the sustainable future of our open space network for the community and the environment.

Goal1Providing parks close to homeTherearesocial,environmentalandeconomicbenefitsofopenspace,especiallywhentheseareprovidedincloseproximitytoresidentialdwellings.InaheavilybuiltenvironmentlikeMoreland,planningforopenspaceinhigherdensities,andanincreasingpopulationisimportant.

Withincreaseddensities,andtheabsenceofopenspacesitesfromgreenfielddevelopment,formsofopenspace,andconsiderableimprovementswillberequiredtomeetfuturedemandforopenspacebenefitsclosetohome.

TheMunicipal Health Surveyrevealedthatafter“noparticularreason/doesn’tinterestme”,“inconvenientornotclosetohome”wasamajorreasonwhysurveyrespondentsdon’tuseMoreland’sopenspace11.Itisthereforeimportantfortoensureaccesstoparkswithin500msafewalkingdistancetoencouragepeopletoaccessopenspace.

Moreland’sresidentsmusthavearangeofopenspacesaccessibletothem,includingsportsreserves,social/familyrecreationparks,andsharedtrails.

TheopenspacedistributionanalysisidentifiedthatmuchoftheCitydoesnothaveasocial/familyrecreationspaceorsharedtrailclosetohome.

Abroadrangeofopenspacefunctiontypesshouldprovidearangeofexperiencestoencourageuse,particularlyasthereisanincremental‘loss’ofopenparklandtodevelopmentforindoorsportingandothercommunityfacilitiesandcarparks.

Thereisoftenpressuretofindlocationsforfacilitiesandrespondtoresidents’concernsabouton-streetparkingandprovisionofcommunityfacilities.Thecurrentplanningprovisionscurrentlyallowforawiderangeofpermittedusesonopenspace.ItiscriticalforCounciltocommittoprotectingopenspace,assessthebenefitsthatwillbeerodedbydevelopmentsandtoseekalternatesitesforinfrastructure,particularlyiftheydonotrelatetoopenspaceactivities.

Goal1: Objectives• Incrementallyacquireanddevelopopen

spaces (where possible) to increase the proximity of high quality parkland to residential dwellings

• Ensureeveryhouseholdhassafeandconvenient access to parkland for passive recreation, quiet contemplation, sport and access to nature

• Provideandprotectqualityopenspacethat provides a range of experiences and accessible recreation opportunities, natural and cultural heritage features, and high quality park facilities and landscape settings

11. Survey conducted for City of Moreland’s Municipal Health Plan

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 8. Key Goals and objectives 65

Goal1: Strategy 1Pursueopportunitiestoacquirelocalopenspace in areas undersupplied by open space, where densities and building heights are increasing, or where dwellings occur in mixed-use areas and activity centres

• Improveprovisionandaccesstofunctionalopenspace,withindesignatedprincipal,majorneighbourhoodandlocalactivitycentres,byprovidinghighqualityopenspacewithin300msafewalkingdistanceoftheactivitycentre

• Seekopportunitiesthroughurbandevelopmenttoacquireopenspaceinareasunderserved,asapriorityforsocial/familyrecreationparks,sharedtrails,andsports

• PreparealandacquisitionpolicytoguideCouncil’sstrategicacquisitionoflandforopenspaceandopenspaceimprovements,includingdevelopmentcontributionsundertheSubdivisionAct

• Investigatetheacquisitionofthefollowingsites/areastoaddressunderprovisionofopenspaceintheneighbourhood/suburb:

− GlenroyPrimarySchoolland

− LandinGlenroyabuttingBelairAvenuePark

− LandinPascoeValeSouth

− LandinPascoeValeinthevicinityofWindsorStreetandDerbyStreet(ordevelopashareduseagreementwithPascoeValeNorthPrimarySchool)

− LandinBrunswickEast

− LandinCoburgaroundO’HeaStreet

− Landfronting33StewartStreet,Brunswick

− LandinWestGlenroy

− LandinEastGlenroy

− LandinHadfield

• LobbyVicTracktotransferlandtoCouncilasopenspacebetweenUpfieldtrainlineandCameronStreetrunningfromMorelandRoadalongthelengthofCameronStreet

• LobbyVicTracktotransferlandbetweenAlbertStreetrunningalongtheUpfieldbikepathandsupermarketcarpark,toCouncilasopenspace

• LobbyJemenaPowertotransferlandatGervaseStreet,GlenroytoCouncil

• PurchaselandanddevelopasmalllocalparkinthevicinityofthecornerofReynardandPortlandStreets,Coburg

• PurchaselandanddevelopasmalllocalparkinthevicinityofShirleyStreetFawkner

• InvestigatesitesdesignatedforresidentialredevelopmentinrezonedindustrialareasorincreasingemploymentinIndustrialareasandidentifytheneedforopenspacetobeprovidedinconjunctionwithredevelopment

• CouncilwilladvocatetotheStateGovernmenttoimplementtherecommendationsoftheVEACreportthatwhensurpluspublicutilitylandhasbeenidentifiedashavingenvironmentalorsocialvalue,thattheCouncilbegiventhefirstoptionontheland

• IncorporatekeyactionsrequiringadvocacyintoCorporateAdvocacyProgram


Goal1:Strategy 2Investigate the conversion of the following Council owned sites to open space

a) CouncilownedcarparkonStewartStreet,Brunswick

b) CouncilownedcarparkinBreeseStreet,Brunswick

c) CouncilownedcarparkonEdwardsStreet,Brunswick

Goal1:Strategy 3Seek to ensure structure plans and strategic redevelopment sites provide adequate open space where building heights and densities will increase

• Developandadoptastandardapproachtodeterminingwhatopenspaceisrequired,forwhat,where,andhowitshouldbeprovided

• Ensurethefunctionandsettingtypeofspacesaredeterminedinthestructureplanningprocess

• ImplementtheopenspacerecommendationsoftheBrunswick,Glenroy,andCoburg2020StructurePlans

• Developimplementationplansforopenspacetoimproveprovisionandaccesstolocalopenspace,includingcivicplaces,withindesignatedprincipal,major,neighbourhoodandlocalactivitycentres

Goal1:Strategy 4Prepareapolicytoguidetheassessment and disposal of any open space sites

• AdopttheMelbourne2030ParklandCodewhenassessinganysurplusopenspace

• Ensuretheproceedsofsaleofanyopenspaceisusedtofundpriorityimprovementsandthepurchaseofotheropenspaceinareaswherethereisademonstratedneed

Goal1:Strategy 5Protectthevalueandamenityofexistingandnew open space and street landscapes

• Ensurethatanynewdevelopments,otherstructuresandcarparksaresetbackandprovidenounreasonableovershadowingofopenspaceandstreetlandscapesorreductioninpublicaccess,maximiseinteractionandpassivesurveillanceopportunities,andareresponsivetotheexistingsitecontext

• Continuetoencourageappropriatedevelopmentadjacenttoopenspacethatenhancespublicsurveillance,incidentallighting,encouragesuseandenhancesasenseofsecurityforusersinthespace

• Prepareguidelinesandprotocolstoensurehighqualityandfunctionalopenspaceandstreetlandscapeoutcomesareachievedinpublicparksandstreetscapesestablishedaspartofprivateorcouncildevelopmentprojects,andthatthesecomplementexistingprovision

• Developandimplementareferencedocumenttoprovideguidanceforplanningdecisionsregardingappropriatedevelopment,particularlyforurbanconsolidationprojects,thatmayimpactonstreetlandscapesand/oropenspace

• ImplementMoreland’sLightingStrategyfocusingonentrances,buildingsandpathswheretheyprovideathoroughfarethroughparks,onsharedtrailsatintersectingpaths(minimalsafetylightingtoprotecthabitatvalues),forsport(asappropriate)andlightingwillbeofbestpracticeenvironmentalefficiency

• DevelopaMemorialsandMonumentsPolicyforopenspaceandthepublicrealm


Goal2Having a mix of open space types and experiencesProvidingadiversityofopenspaceswillservetoensurethatMoreland’sdiversepopulationwillcontinuetohavearangeofrecreationexperiencenowandinthefuture.

Byclassifyingopenspacebyitsfunctiontypeandlandscapesetting,agreaterdiversityofspacescanbecreatedandCouncilanddeveloperscanbeclearerastowhatopenspaceisrequiredtoaddressdeficienciesorgapsinprovision.

Openspacesthatprovideforsocial/familyrecreation,sportingandsharedtrailsisofparticularimportanceclosetowherepeoplelive,toprovidearangeofaccessiblerecreationalactivitiesandrestorativequalitiesthatenhancewellbeing.Furtherfunctionsofopenspaceenabledifferenttypesofbenefitsandexperiencestobegenerated.

Thetypeoflandscapesettingorformofanopenspacetakesintoaccountthephysicalconditionsandcharacteristicsofthespace.Providingadiversityofthesethroughtheopenspacenetworkcanenabledifferentexperiencesandinfluencethemoodoftheparticipant.

Increasingresidentialdensitieswillresultinchangestotheamountofprivateopenspaceandincidentalgreenspace.Smallerhouseholds,whichareanincreasingfeatureofMoreland’sdwellingtypes,willalsoinfluencethedemandforopenspace.Councilcouldencouragefurthersocialopportunitiesinopenspacetoattractlonepersonsandseektoimproveanddiversifyexistingopenspacestorespondtothesechanges.Councilmaynotbeabletoacquiretraditionalformsofopenspaceinareasofchangingdensity;thereforethespecificbenefitsofopenspacemayneedtobeprovidedinalternativeways.Thismayincludewelldesignedurbanspacesintheactivitycentressuchaspiazzastyleareas.

Councilshouldconsciouslylookforopportunitiestodiversifyandprovidechoicethatencouragesuseofopenspace,todrawusersbeyondtheirhabitualactivityspaceandenablepeopletoexperiencethingsnotnaturallypresentinthatcontext.

Goal2:Objectives• Tomaintainanddevelopanetworkofopen

spaces that have a broad range of functions and landscape settings reflecting benefits sought by a diverse population

• Enhancethediversityofopportunitiesandexperiences in open space by classifying their function and landscape setting consciously modifying these to create the best mix

• Enhanceopenspaceopportunities to respond to changing residential settlement types

Goal2:Strategy 1Enhancethediversityofexperiencesinopenspace by determining preferred functions and landscape settings of all spaces

• Analysethedistributionofspacesbyfunctionandlandscapesettingtodetermineomissions,duplicationsandopportunitiesforvaryingexperiences

• Undertakeacomprehensiveassessmentoftheexistingandpotentialpublicvalueofpoorquality,undevelopedspacestoidentifyopportunitiestodiversifyopenspaceuses,experiencesandlandscapesettingsinthose,orfuturedevelopmentordivestmentactions

• Developparkmanagementplansforeachopenspacefunctiontype,whichincludescoreservicelevelsforsportsreserves,social/familyrecreationreserves,andsharedtrails


Goal2:Strategy 2Provideagreaterrangeoffunctiontypes and landscape settings within Moreland’s open space

• Selectivelydevelopoutdoorrecreationfacilitiesandenhanceenvironmentalamenityofopenspace,tocreateagreaterdiversityofexperiences

• Endorsetherangeofopenspacefunctionsandcorrespondingcoreservicelevelstoensureopenspaceisfitforpurpose,andusedasaplanningtooltoaidplanning,siteselectionanddesignandprovidebetterguidancetodevelopers

• Increasetherecurrentcapitalexpenditureprogramforplaygrounds,includingupgradesandnewfacilitiestomeetcurrentsafetystandards,enhanceaccessibilityandprovidediversityinplayopportunities

• Ensurethatpublicopenspaceisprotected,andwhenexistingpublicbuildings/facilitiesonopenspacearetoberemoved,considerconversionoftheseareasbacktoparkland

• DevelopanassessmenttooltodeterminesuitableuseofCouncillandfortheuseofcommunitygardens

• WorkwithCouncil’sSocialPolicyUnittodevelopaCouncilpolicyonsupportandresourcingcommunitygardendevelopmentinMoreland

• If,intheviewoftheManagerUrbanSafety,significantconflictexistsinaparticularoff-leashreserve,thenareviewofthatreservewilltakeplaceandpotentialzoningofthespacewillbeinvestigated

Goal2:Strategy 3Seek to provide social / family recreation open space

• RedesignGilpinParkforsocial/familyrecreation(includingdogwalking)toenhancerecreationaluseandlandscapeamenityandreplaceageinginfrastructure

• RejuvenateBrunswickParkasasocial/familyrecreationopenspace,includingplantings,barbequeandshelter

• ReviewtheMoombaParkConceptPlanandcontinuetodevelopMoombaParkinFawkner,toprovidearangeofrecreationopportunitiesofdistrictparkstandardtomeettheinterestsofsportingandotherusergroups,andimprovethesocial/familyrecreationopportunitiesincludingaccessinandaroundthesite

• DevelopaRecreationPlanforCBSmithReserveinFawkner,toprovideamixandrangeofrecreationalopportunitiestobeaccommodatedinthewholeprecinct.Includethesoccerprecinctandyouthspace,andworktowardsimprovingopenspaceforsocial/familyrecreation,buildinginterfaces,playgroundprovisionandpedestrianandtrafficmovementwithintheprecinct

• UpgradeSewellReserve,Glenroyasasportsfieldwithsocial/familyrecreationspaceandgeneralimprovementstotheamenityaroundtheperipheryoftheopenspace

• RedevelopopenspaceinTullamarineprecinctassocial/familyrecreationspaceandprovidepedestrianandcyclelinkstoGowanbrae


Providing a diversity of open spaces will serve to ensure that Moreland’s diverse population will continue to have a range of recreation experience now and in the future.


Goal2:Strategy 4Improve the quality of existing open space

• PrepareandimplementredevelopmentplansforCityOvalandBridgesReserve,toincludeareviewoffacilitiesrequired,activerecreationuse,increasedpassiverecreationopportunities,andplanting

• PlanfortheredevelopmentforactiveandpassiverecreationatBushReserveincludingincorporatingthecouncil-ownedhouseblocktoimproveaccessintotheparkandprovisionofthepassivespacetothesouthoftheblock

• DevelopalandscaperedevelopmentplanforMerlynstonCreekeasement,BoundaryRoadtoHoskenReserve,CoburgNorth,includingpathways,habitatprovision,andpassiverecreationopportunities

• ReviewandimplementtheGowanbraeLandscapeMasterplantoprovideactiveandpassiverecreationopportunitiesandprovidelinkstoGlenroy,OakParkandHumeCityCouncil

• DevelopanactiverecreationplanfortheCentralBrunswickParklands,toincorporatenetballpracticecourtsandexpansionoftenniscourtswithinRaeburnReserve,anddeterminethebestlocationforyouthspace/skateparkwithintheClifton/Gilpinprecinct

• Ensureappropriateaccesstoanduseofsportsparks

• EnhancetheaccessibilityoftheCoburgCityOval,fromSydneyRoadandthroughthesiteandtoincludeseating,picnicfacilitiesanddrinkingfountains

• UndertakeandimplementFlemingParkDevelopmentPlantoimprovetheopenspace,maintainingactiverecreationopportunitiesandreviewuseofcouncilbuildingsonsite

• ContinuetoimprovethequalityofplayingfieldsatCliftonPark,andtoincluderefurbishmentofexistinglandscape,improvedseatingandwaterfountains

• RedevelopJacksonReserveincludingupgradingHStephensAthleticComplex

• EvaluateRichardsReserveandprepareanopenspaceredevelopmentplantoattractresidentsforactiverecreation,andenhanceamenity

• Prepareandimplementafive-yearSportsfieldInfrastructureCapitalWorksPlantoguidetheannualsportsfieldupgradeandassetrenewalprogramthroughouttheCity

• ReviewandimplementtheexistingdocumentedheritagedevelopmentplansforMethven,FlemingandWarrParks,includingimplementingtherecommendationsofthe2009Connellanreport

• ImprovethequalityofexperienceinMottReserve,Glenroytoattractresidentsforsocial/familyrecreation

• DevelopdistrictlevelparkstoservicetheGlenroy,GowanbraeandPascoeValeareas


Goal3Making places for natureMoreland’swaterways,mostsignificantlytheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks,formanintegralpartofthemunicipality’sopenspacenotjustasawaterbody,butintherangeofopenspacesprovidedalongthecreekboundaries.TheirimportanceisrecognisedinLinking People and Spaces (Parks Victoria 2002)asrequiringsignificantrecreationandconservationwork.

Historically,waterwaysweretreatedasdrainsanddumpinggrounds.CommunityandCouncilsupportforthecreeksrestorationisresultinginwaterwaysbeingseenmoreasanaturalandcommunityasset.

Onlyverysmallremnantsoflocal-occurringindigenousvegetationsurvive,asanirreplaceablerecordofthelandscapepriortoEuropeansettlementinMoreland.

Theconservationandrestorationofthesewaterbodiesandnaturalareasisofcentralimportanceinprotectinghabitatsforfloraandfauna.Councilmustmanagetheseassetssustainably,andalsosensitivelyconsidertheirrecreationalvaluefortheMorelandcommunity.

Intheconservationofthesensitiveripariancorridors,additionalbuffersbetweenthecreekandadjacentresidencesandrecreationfacilitieswillberequiredinsomepartstoaidintheregenerationandmanagerecreationuse.

Goal3:Objectives• Seektoprovidebetterbuffersbetween

urban development and waterways

• Enhancethesustainabilityandmanagement of water corridors

• Seektoprotectandimprovethenaturalhabitat and ecological values of waterways and natural areas complementing the demand for provision of a diversity of recreational settings and opportunities along these corridors

• Protectandenhancetheecologicalintegrityand sustainability of Moreland’s natural resources, particularly the creek corridors and remaining areas of remnant vegetation

• WorkcollaborativelywithMerriCreekandMooneePondsManagementCommittees,MelbourneWater,FriendsofGroups,andother authorities to ensure the protection, management and improvement of waterways and other important remnant vegetation areas

Goal3:Strategy 1Undertake significant revegetation works along creek corridors throughout the municipality

• DevelopastrategicworksprogramforwaterwayrevegetationforEdgars,MerlynstonandWestbreenCreeks,inconjunctionwiththeCreekManagementBodies,FriendsGroupsandMelbourneWater

• ImplementtheMerriCreekEnvironsStrategy(2010)asappropriate

• ImplementtheMooneePondsCreekEnvironsStrategy(2011)asappropriate


Goal3:Strategy 2Enhanceaccesstoselectareasofwaterwaycorridors to provide contiguous public access where possible, whilst protecting riparian habitat

• DevelopamanagementplanforWestbreenCreek,PascoeValeinlinewiththeWestbreenCreekParklandsMasterPlan

• PrepareaconservationanddevelopmentplanforEdgarsCreekidentifyingappropriaterecreationalopportunitiesalongitsreachesandincludingthereclamationandrevitalisationofnaturalareasalongEdgarsCreek.Investigateandprovideopportunitiestoimproveaccessforuseandmaintenanceofthearea,particularlyontheeasternbankbehindtheindustrialestate

• Asopportunitiesarise,acquirelandtocreateavegetatedbufferofaminimum30metreswidemeasuredfromtheedgeoftheembankmentoneachsideofthecreekcorridoralongMerriCreek,MooneePondsCreek,andEdgarsCreek(wherepossible).Aminimumof50metreswidefromthecreekedgeoneachsideshouldbesoughttocreateapublicopenspacecorridor

Goal4:Strategy 3Protectandenhanceremnantvegetationand habitats in Moreland

• Implementpriorityactionsfromthe‘MorelandIndigenousVegetationAssessment2011’

• Continueanactiveprotection,managementandenhancementprogramforMoreland’sremnantvegetationinthefollowingsites:

• JukesRoadGrassland(BababiDjininang),Fawkner

• OutlookDrive,Glenroy

• UnionStreetEscarpment,BrunswickWest

• ReviewandupdatethemanagementplanfortheJukesRoadGrassland(BababiDjininang)

• PrepareandimplementaBiodiversityStrategytoidentifyprioritymeasuresfortheprotection,restorationandenhancementofnativeplantandanimalcommunities

• Continuetoreviewandassessusageandmethodofapplicationofherbicides,fertiliserandotherchemicalsinopenspacewithaviewtominimizingimpactsonnon-targetspeciesandstormwaterquality

Goal3:Strategy 4WorkwithneighbouringCouncilsandotherauthorities to enhance the value and health of waterways

• Participateintheplanninganddevelopmentofthe‘chainofparks’alongMerriCreek,asproposedinLinking People and Spaces (Parks Victoria 2002),andtheproposedmajorparknorthoftheRingRoad.Encouragethedevelopmentofadiversityoflandscapesettingsforrecreationalongthecreek

• AdvocatetoMelbourneWatertoundertakebedandbankhabitatrestorationworksalongthewaterways,includingtheremovaland/ormodificationofconcretelining.UndertakecomplementaryworksonadjoiningCouncillandwhereappropriate

• Support,participateinandresourcecoordinationcommittees/networks,suchasMerriCreekandMooneePondsCreekManagementCommittees,toundertakecoordinatedmanagementofthecreekcorridors.

• ConstructawetlandforstormwatermanagementandfaunaandflorahabitatasperinvestigationundertakenonMerriCreek(2009)

• Developandimplementfiremanagementplanwithappropriateauthorities,particularlyforthecreekcorridors


Goal4A greener more liveable MorelandGreenopenspaceprovidesarelieffromthebuiltenvironmentandrestorativequalitiesimportanttothesenseofwellbeing.Italsoencouragesuserstoengageinphysicalandrecreationactivity.Residentialandcommercialdevelopmentputsincreasingpressuresontheprovisionandqualityoftheopenspacenetwork,andparticipationinrecreation.Councilshouldidentifymethodsofretainingandenhancingthe‘green’environmentduringcommercial,industrialandresidentialdevelopment.

Habitatcorridorsarevegetatedcorridors(plantedwithindigenousvegetationwherepossible)encouragingconnectivitybetweenexitingopenspace/creekstoprovidespaceforspeciestofunction.Moreland’sopenspace,moreparticularlyitsnetworkofopenspacealongthecreekcorridorsshouldserveashabitatcorridors.Linksbetweenthecorridorsandfurtherbeyondthemunicipalityshouldbeidentified,aswellasdesigningstreetlandscapestoperformmoreofahabitatcorridorfunction.

Thereare,however,opportunitiestoreintroducelocalplantspeciesandcreatewildlifehabitatsandincreasetreecanopieswithinopenspace,particularlyinundevelopedareasandgrassyreserveswithoutanestablishedhorticulturalcharacter.

Indigenousplantscanprovidearangeofbenefits.Theseincludeprovidinghabitats,enhancedecologicalhealthandlandproductivity,distinctivelocallandscapesandsenseofplace,preservationofgeneticresources,andminimisetheneedforwaterandfertiliser.

Thecloseproximityofgreenspacestowherepeopleliveandtheprovisionoftreesarebecomingincreasinglyimportantforrestorativequalitiesandamenityvaluethatenhancerelaxationandasenseofwellbeing.Theseinturnincreaseresidents’senseofcivicpride.

Goal4:Objectives• Protect,restore,andexpand

interconnected open space corridors as habitat corridors

• IncreasethetreecanopyacrossMoreland,and the biodiversity and environmental quality of the public domain

• Enhancethesenseofcivicprideandwellbeing of residents by enhancing landscape quality and views of green space

Goal4:Strategy 1Expandopenspaceandstreetscapecorridorsas habitat corridors

• Identifyeast/westhabitatcorridorsandnominateappropriatestreetscapespeciestoprovidehabitatlinksbetweentheexistingcreekandrailwaycorridors

• DevelopinpartnershipwiththecommunityamasterplanfortheUpfieldrailcorridorthatwillcreateastronghabitatlinkandlinearpark


Goal4:Strategy 2Increase tree canopy and improve tree health to create an urban forest

• MonitoranddevelopaprogramtoincreasetheextentoftreecanopyinMoreland

• EstablishaParkTreeManagementProgramtoconserve,enhance,manageandsustainthehealthandlongevityoftreesinparksandreserves.Thisshouldincludeanauditandassessmentofworksrequired,aworksscheduleandstagedimplementation

• Review,updateandcontinuetoimplementCouncil’sStreetLandscapeStrategytoensurelandscapesarelinkedthroughoutthemunicipalityforamenityandenvironmentalneeds

• Nominatetrialareasforopenspacehorticulturalimprovementsthatassistinamelioratingintenseweatherconditionssuchasplantingsforwindbreaks,cooling,anddisseminatinghighwaterlevels

Goal4:Strategy 3Augment streetscape vegetation and enhance environmental quality in urban development to supplement public green space

• Wherelanddevelopmentandincreasedresidentialdensitycannotdeliveradditionalpublicorprivategreenspace,seektoproviderestorativequalities,accesstonatureandgreaterresidentialamenitythroughplanningcontrolsandworksthat:

• Increasetreecanopy

• Enhancestreetscapesandlandscapequalitieswithinprivateandpublicinfrastructuredevelopments

• Protectviewstoexistingopenspace

• EstablishminimumprovisionsofprivateopenspaceandpermeablespacesforresidentialareasabovethestandardsprescribedinResCodeandotherhigherdensitiesguidelines


The close proximity of green spaces to where people live and the provision of trees are becoming increasingly important for restorative qualities and amenity value that enhance relaxation and a sense of well being.


Goal5Making the most of open space through effective managementTheimportanceofMoreland’sopenspaceasanaturalresourcemeansthatCouncilmustensureitisprotectedandmanagedforfuturegenerations.

Openspacecanbethesettingforlargeorganisedpubliceventssuchascircusesandfestivals.Guidelinesshouldbedevelopedthatensureconsistentmanagementofeventsthatarefocusedonretainingtheenvironmentalqualityofthespaceposttheevent.Likewise,policyoncommercialeventsisrequired,thatalsofocusesonthesameenvironmentaloutcomes.

ThehandingoverofopenspacetoCouncilpostthedevelopmentprocesscanresultinpoorqualityopenspacefromtheoutset.Councilshouldsetinplaceaconsistentprocedurethatincludesa12monthmaintenanceperiodfordevelopers,andadditionalfundingtoensureestablishmentofvegetationandfacilities.AllCouncilstaffassociatedwiththedevelopmentprocessshouldbeawareoftheparticularopenspacerequirementsinvolvedinhandingovertheopenspacetoCouncil.

WhereCouncilisnotincontroloftheownershipormanagementofopenspaces,areasofopenspaceownedormanagedbyotherauthoritiescanredressdeficienciesinoverallprovision,andprovidediversityinthelandscapeexperiencesoffered.

InMorelandtheseareasinclude:

• Flood-proneland,wetlandconservationareas,andpipe-tracksownedbyMelbourneWater,forexampleJacanaWetlands

• Privateoutdoorsportingclubs(e.g.NorthernGolfCourse,tennisclubs)

• Schoolsportsgrounds(publicandprivate)

• ChurchandSocialClubsportsclubs(e.g.tennisandsoccer)

• Railwaylandusedforwalkingandcycling

• Othersurplusgovernmentagencyland(e.g.VicRoads)usedasparkland

Thereisoftenlittleornolong-termsecurityrelatingtotheuseofothercategoriesofgovernmentorprivatesectorlandforoutdoorrecreation.

Othergovernmentandprivateorganisationsdonothaveacoreresponsibilitytoprovidelandforpublicopenspaceandrecreation,andthereforenegotiatingpublicaccesstositescanbeproblematic.Additionally,therecanbelegalliabilityconcernsandlackofagreementonfundingformaintenance.

Inmorecommunity-centredexamplessuchasschools,andcommunityandsportingclubs,Councilshouldfosterrelationshipsthatutiliseanyadditionalopenspacewherepossible.

ZoningCouncilopenspaceasPublicParksandRecreationZones(PPRZ)willincreaseregulatoryprotectionfromdisposaloradversedevelopment.

Protectionofwaterresourcesisanimportantissueinlightofclimatechange.Openlandscapes,suchassportsgrounds,whichwereonceunderregularirrigationhavebeengreatlyimpactedon.Syntheticturfcanbeconsideredinsomecircumstancesalthoughshouldnotbeseenastheonlyalternativetodealingwithdifficultconditions.Otheropenspacewithenhancedvisualamenity(i.e.gardenbedsandcivicspaces)shouldalsobemaintainedtoahigherstandard.

WaterSensitiveUrbanDesignseekstointegratethenaturalwatercycleintourbanplanninganddesign.Thisisachievedthroughmeasuressuchasincorporatingstormwatercorridorsintothelandscape,andutilisingrecycledwatertoirrigateopenspace.CouncilshouldbeguidedbytheprinciplesofWaterSensitiveUrbanDesigninitsmaintenanceofopenspace.


Goal5:Objectives• Protectpublicopenspaceasanessentialland

use through appropriate planning controls

• Increasethemanagementofopenspace to minimise conflicts in use

• Introducemorecost-effective,ecologicallysustainable, and community responsive measures to managing public open space

Goal5:Strategy 1Ensureappropriatezoninganddesignation of public open space

• ReviewthezoningofallpublicopenspaceownedbyCouncilandensurethatitisappropriatelyzonedintheMorelandPlanningScheme

• ReviewtheEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlay(ESO)forMooneePondsandMerriCreekstoensureeffectiveprotection

• NegotiatewithownersofotherauthoritylandthatCouncilmaintainsaspublicopenspace,toensureappropriatezoninganddesignationoflandaspublicopenspaceand/ortransfermanagementtoCouncil,forexample:

• LandalongEdgarsCreek,CoburgNorthandOutlookDrive,Glenroy

• LandalongtheUpfieldandCraigieburnRailwaylines

• Sharedtrails

• UtilitylandinGervaseStreet,Glenroy

• Seektoconsolidateandsharebuildinginfrastructureonopenspace,usingotherCouncillandtodevelopcommunityfacilitiesinpreferencetoopenspace

• Ensureheritageparksareidentifiedandprotectedby/retainaHeritageOverlay,including:

− BridgesReserve,Coburg

− BrunswickPark,Brunswick

− LakeReserve,Coburg

− FlemingPark,Brunswick

− JacobsReserve,Brunswick

− MethvenPark,Brunswick

− ShoreReserve,Coburg

− TemplePark,Brunswick

− WarrPark,Brunswick

Goal5:Strategy 2Ensureorganisedpublicuseofopenspaceis managed and does not compromise environmental quality

• Developguidelinesforcommunityperformance,festivalsandlargeeventsinpublicopenspace.Thisshouldincludemanagementofspecificsites,withtimes,permits,feestructure/bondsetc,andwithallfundsgeneratedfromitsusesbeingreturnedtoopenspacetoreinstateaffectedopenspace

• Developapolicyonuseofopenspacebycommercialentitiesforactivitiessuchasmarkets,personaltraining,dogtrainingandfilming

• Investigatethefeasibilityofintroducingparkrangerstomanageconflictsofuseandenforcelocallawsincluding:dogmanagement;encroachments;trailbikeuse;illegaldumping;andunintendeduse


Goal5:Strategy 3Ensuretheeffectivehandoverandresourcingof new public open space transferred during land development

• Developahandoverprocedureforopenspace/streetscapesbeingtransferredfromprivatelandownerstoCouncil.Ensureadditionalfundingisprovidedwiththehandoverofnewopenspacesitestoundertakeappropriateongoingmaintenance

• ImproveproceduresforcoordinationbetweenCouncilstaffresponsibleforthetakingoverofopenspacefromnewdevelopment,toensurethatplantingandworksaredesignedandundertakeninamannerthatisconsistentwiththedesiredfunctionandsettingtypeofthespaceandsoitcanbemaintainedcosteffectively

• EnsurethatopenspacetakenoverbyCouncilincludesafollow-upmaintenanceperiodof12monthstoensureappropriateestablishmentofvegetation,andmaintenanceofinfrastructure

Goal5:Strategy 4Ensurewaterresourcesaremanagedsustainably on public open space

• InlinewithCouncil’sDroughtResponsePlan,improvewaterefficiencyandencouragemoresustainableplantingandpractices(withparticularfocusonkeypublicopenspaces,sportsfieldsandheritagelandscapes)

• Developapolicyonappropriateuseofwateronopenspaceconsideringenvironmentalandsocialneedsforkeepingactive/passivespacesgreen,andsustainablelandscapevalues

• Implementtheprinciplesofwatersensitiveurbandesigninplanning,designandopenspacemanagement

Goal5:Strategy 5Workwithadjacentlandownersandlandmanagement agencies to resolve occupancy, encroachment and manage shared use of open space

• Developstrongerrelationshipswithschoolsregardingoutofhourspublicaccesstogrounds,andtoresolveperceivedliability/dutyofcare,andresourcingissues

• Reviewtheprocessfordevelopingmemorandaofunderstandingforactiveandpassiveactivitieswithschoolsregardingoutofhourspublicaccesstogrounds,liability/dutyofcareandwhatCouncilcancontribute.Developapolicyonhowandwhenmemorandaofunderstandingshouldbeusedforopenspace

• PursuethedevelopmentofshareduseagreementswithGlenroyWestPrimarySchoolandGlenroyCollege

• RedevelopandresecuretheKODESchoolsiteasashareduseopenspace

• Identifyallillegalencroachmentsontopublicopenspace,andworkwithallauthoritiesinvolvedtoaddresseachthroughnegotiation,reinstatementofboundariesandifnecessaryprosecution,orformaliseacceptableoccupanciesthroughleasearrangements

• Resolveownership,publicaccessandleasearrangementswithStateagenciesforopenspacealongwaterways,serviceeasementsandrailreserves,inordertoconsolidateandenhancetheopenspacenetwork

• Developpedestrian/cyclelinkbetweenMooneePondsCreektrailandKarinCourt,Glenroy


Goal6Enhancing participation and use of open spaceAlargeandvariedopenspacenetworkwillresultinhigherrecreationuse,andparticipationinleisureactivities.

Openspaceshouldprovideforawidecross-sectionofthecommunity,andencourageuseacrossallagegroups.

Spacesshouldnotforinstancebeprovidedsolelyforoneagegroup(suchasforasmallplayequipmentarea),butshouldaccommodatefacilitiesforarangeofagegroups,andencourageincreasedsocialandrecreationalinteraction.

Thevalueofincreasingthenumberofolderadults,children,andyoungpeopleusingopenspace,warrantsfurtherplanningandassessmentofthedesignofopenspace.

SimilarlyMoreland’sculturallydiversepopulationwillrequirearangeofamenitiesandinfrastructurethatrespondtotheneedsofdifferentgroups,andfacilitateincreasedratesofparticipation.

Thereisaneedforagoodbalanceofspacestoprovidesocialandphysicalactivity;settingsthatfocusonquietcontemplativepastimesinareasofhighenvironmentalqualityaswellasthosewhicharehighlydevelopedandencourageawiderangeofsportsandrecreationactivities;thatareaccessibleandofferahighdegreeofsupportfacilities.

Makingpeoplefeelconnectedandinvolvedintheprotection,developmentanduseofopenspacewillprovideongoingcommunityparticipationandenvironmentalbenefits.

Councilshouldconsiderarangeofpromotionalandmarketingmethodsforraisingawarenessofthementalandphysicalhealthbenefitsoftheuseofopenspace.Thismaybeachievedthrougharangeofmeans,includingensuringsignageisaccurate,activelyinvolvingthecommunityininitiativessuchasplantingdays,anddisseminatinginformationthrougharangeofmedia.

Goal6:Objectives• Provideforagreaterrangeofusersin

open space planning and design

• Encouragegreatercommunityinvolvementin open space development

• Marketopenspaceandthefacilities, and environmental elements it offers

• Developagreaterpublicknowledgeof the benefits of open space and physical and social opportunities it provides

Goal6:Strategy 1Enhancetherangeofagegroupscatered for in open space

• Identifyopenspacesthatcouldbeusedforabroaderrangeofdifferentactivitiesandagegroups

• InlinewithrecommendationsofCouncil’soxYgen Project,continuetoconsultwithteenagersandyoungadultsaboutthetypesofoutdoorrecreationsettingsandfacilitiestheyprefer,andpursueopportunitiestocreatethese

• Enlargetherecurrentcapitalexpenditureprogramupgrading/renewalofplayspaces/facilitiestomeetsafetystandardsandenhanceaccessibilitytoallagegroups

• Provideshade,seating,andensureeaseofmovementthroughandaroundopenspaces,wherepossible

• Designateplaygrounds/parksthroughoutthemunicipalityforadditionalshadestructuresandimplement

• Plan,designandconstructskateparkfacilities/youthspacesinBrunswickCentralParklands,andasiteinGlenroy,andcompleteCBSmithskatefacility

• Monitorexerciseequipmentinparksandincreaseprovisionofbothstaticandmovingexerciseequipmentindesignatedparks

• Encourageresidentstovisitandusedifferentparksandreservesthroughregularandone-offactivitiesandeventsinpublicopenspace(aspartofCouncilrecreation,schoolholidayandothercommunitydevelopmentprograms)


Goal6:Strategy 2Increase capacity for the community to be involved in enhancing biodiversity in open space

• ReviewfocusandintentofCommunityPlantingDaystoincreasethebenefitsoftheprogram,andincludeappropriatesitepreparationandfollow-upmaintenance,inlinewithCouncil’syearlyCommunityplantingprogram

• Developandimplementasupportprogramfor‘Friendsof’groups

• Updateandreprint‘GardeningwithIndigenousPlantsinMoreland’,andincludesectionsonsustainablegardening

Goal6:Strategy 3Review signage in public open space

• Reviewthedesignofallopenspacesignage,includingregulatorylogos

• Furthercontroltheerectionofpermanentandtemporaryadvertisingsignsinpublicopenspace

• Developaparkinterpretivesignagesuiteforenvironmental,culturalheritage,directionalandeducationalpurposes

Goal6:Strategy 4Reinforce “Active Moreland” messages in design, development, and marketing

• Continuetoinvestigatebarriersthatdifferenttargetgroupsperceivetousingopenspace,andseektoovercomethesethrougheducation,programmingandmarketingactivities,andthedesignandmanagementofopenspace

Goal6:Strategy 5Effectivelydisseminateinformationabout the benefits of, and availability of, public open space

• Provideregularuptodateinformationaboutparksandopenspacetoresidents,andwhattheycandothere

• Developanumberofinformationalproductsinavarietyofmediatopromoteuse,valueandprotectionofopenspaceandwaystobeinvolved

• DevelopacommunityinformationprogramtopromotebroaderunderstandingandappreciationofthevalueofMoreland’slocalenvironment

• Promoteopportunitiesforresidentstohavetheirsayaboutopenspaceissuesandbeinvolvedinopenspacedevelopments


Goal7Development of a network of shared trailsTrailsarelikelytoprovideforagreaterproportionofthepopulationthananyotheroutdoorrecreationfacility.

Thebenefitsofencouragingahealthylifestylethroughcycling,walking,runningandothertrail-basedactivityarewelldocumented.Inadditiontoimprovinghealthandgeneralwellbeing,offroadtrailsassistpeopletomovearoundtheneighbourhood,engagewiththecommunity,feelphysicallymotivated,andpromoteenvironmentalsustainability.

ThebuiltnatureofMoreland’surbanenvironmentmakesitcrucialtosecureanddevelopareasofopenspacethatencouragemovementthrough,andbeyond,themunicipality.Cyclists,forinstance,canoftenfeelintimidatedusingtheroadnetwork.Offroadtrailsprovideforawiderangeofgroups,andanidealenvironmentforsafe,relaxingphysicalactivity.

Sharedtrailscanbedesignedtotakeanumberofforms,dependentonthelocalenvironment,toofferdiversityforusers.Trailsthataccommodatetheneedsofolderadultsandpeoplewithadisabilityshouldalsobeconsidered.Counciltrailnetworksshouldinclude:

• Circuitsthatofferexerciseroutesandtrailsthatlinkkeysitesandpointsofinterest.Thesecanofferagoodsettingforregularwalking,running,cyclinganddogwalking

• Parkperimeterpathsaroundlargeropenspace,suchassportsparksandsocial/familyrecreationopenspace

Corridortrails,throughlinearopenspacethatalsoconnectswithlowerorderroadsandconnectsfamilieswithschoolsandothercommunityandleisurefacilitiesandactivitycentres.Thesecanprovideconnectionswithadjacentresidentialareas,andcanbeaccommodatedontheperimeterofdrainageways

RegionallinksthatconnecttotrailsinadjacentmunicipalitiesandbeyondintoParksVictoria’sMetropolitanTrailNetwork

Sharedtrailaccesscanoftenbeaccommodatedthroughnon-residentiallandusesthatassistemployeesgainrecreationalopportunitiesandcommutetowork.

CouncilhasidentifiedopportunitiesinitBikeStrategy(2011)througharangeoflandusessuchascommercial,industrial,andresidentialareasthatnotonlyencourageoffroadaccessthroughthemunicipality,butalsotoprovidevarietyofexperiencesfortheuser.

Whilsttherearesomeexcellenttrailsalongcreekcorridorstherearefewtrailsthatruneastwest.Councilhasrecentlydevelopedanoff-roadtrailalongthevergeinO’HeaStreetinCoburg,whichprovidesrightofwaytocyclistsatroadcrossings.Furtheropportunitiesshouldbeinvestigatedtodevelopoffroadtrailseastwesttoconnectwiththecreekcorridorsaswellasthroughandaroundlargeopenspaces.


In addition to improving health and general wellbeing, off road trails assist people to move around the neighbourhood, engage with the community, feel physically motivated, and promote environmental sustainability.

83Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 8. Key Goals and objectives

Trails are likely to provide for a greater proportion of the population than any other outdoor recreation facility.


Goal7:Objectives• Developanetworkofsharedtrailsto

include: perimeter shared paths around large parks; trail circuits throughout each suburb connecting community facilities and parks; and access along key waterways and to regional trails

• Creategreateropportunityforresidents to use shared trails in Moreland

• Providesafeandconvenientaccessbetween open spaces, with connections to residential areas, civic institutions, schools, activity centres and businesses

Goal7:Strategy 1Create shared path perimeter circuits around majordistrictandregionalopenspace

• Createatleastonesharedtrailcircuitwithineachsuburb

• Developand/orenhancepedestrianlinksandcircuitsbetweenandthroughparks(whereappropriate),toencouragewalkingandcyclingforexercise

• Formaliseperimetertrailsaroundthefollowingopenspaces:

− ParkerReserve(Fawkner)

− ColeReserve(PascoeVale)

− OakPark(OakPark)

− NorthernGolfCourse(Glenroy)throughnegotiation

Goal7:Strategy 2Seek to create shared trails through residential,commercialandindustrialzones

• Identifyopportunitiesandimplement(wherepossible)tocreatesharedtrailsforwalking,dogwalking,cycling,andskatinginnewdevelopmentsandinredevelopmentareas,particularlyinactivitycentres,throughthere-designofexistingstreetscapes,andparks(whereappropriate)andpublicland

• Createlinkstoopenspaceandtrailsfromactivitycentres

Goal7:Strategy 3Utilise Moreland’s creek and open space corridors as shared trail routes

• Maintainexistinginformalpathnetworksalongthecreeksasaninformalrecreationalexperience

• AddressgapsinaccesstomainsharedtrailsontheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks

• ImplementrecommendationsfromtheMerriCreekSharedTrailReview

• AddressgapsinpedestrianaccessalongtheeasternsideofMooneePondsCreek

• InvestigatefurthermeansofimprovingtheUpfieldRailwayLinesharedpathasakeytrailforpedestrianandbicyclemovementthroughthecentreofthemunicipality

• ReviewthelocationofsharedtrailamenitiesonMerriCreekandMooneePondsCreektrails

• Seektomaintainabalancebetweentheprotectionofriparianhabitatandpublicaccessalongthecreekcorridors,andvarythenatureoftrailaccessinaccordancewithenvironmentalsignificance

• Investigatelandownership,andworkwithownerstoestablishasharedtrailalongtheMerlynstonCreekalignment,fromJohnStreetGlenroytoMerriCreek,CoburgNorth

• Identifyadditionalareaswherecreekscanbetraversedbysharedtrails

Goal7:Strategy 4Sign and promote trail networks

• PublishaguidetoMoreland’ssharedtrails,‘greenways’andinterestingroutesforwalkingandcyclingaroundtheCity

• Enhancedirectionalandinformationalsignagealongtrailsinthemunicipality,andprovidedirectionalsignagetoopenspaceandtrailsfromactivitycentres

• Workwithneighbouringlocalauthoritiestoprovideconsistentsignageandtrailinformation,particularlyalongcreekcorridors

• Includedistancemarkersandexpectedtimeinformationonmajortrailroutes

• Developeast/westroutestoconnecttheUpfieldRailsharedpath,andidentifiedhabitatcorridorstothetrailsalongtheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks,andotherwaterways


9. ImplementationoftheStrategy

86 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 9. Implementation of the Strategy

FundingCouncilwillneedtocontinuetoallocateandincreaseasappropriate,resourcesforopenspacemanagementandimprovementstoMoreland’sopenspacesystem.

Anadequaterecurrentbudgetformaintenance,remediationandmanagementoftheCity’sopenspaceswillensurethatthesites,constructedassets,andlandscapesareinasafe,useableandattractivestateandthevegetationishealthy.Itwillalsoensurethatopenspaceismanagedsustainablyinawaythatprotectsandenhancesitsecology.

Withsomeincreasesintheareaofopenspaceandthepotentialimpactsofincreasingdemandforuseandqualityexperiencejuxtaposedwithchangesinclimateandotherenvironmentalfactors,suchasdrought,theopenspacebudgetneedstoberevisedaccordingly.

Anassetmanagementsystem,asisbeingcurrentlydeveloped,willaddressdepreciationoftheassetsandimprovethestateofopenspacefacilities.

Existing funding of open spaceAllcapitalprojectsdeliveredasaresultofthepreviousOpenSpaceStrategy(2004-2009)havebeendirectlyfundedviaCouncilsPublicReserveandResortFund(PRRF)andexternalStateandFederalGovernmentfunding.

APublicOpenSpaceContributionwasintroducedtoClause52.01oftheMorelandPlanningSchemein2010.ItisthisscheduleofratesandsubsequentfinancialcontributionsfromdevelopersthatwilldefinethefutureannualincomeandcapacityofthePRRF.

AsignificantbodyofworkhasbeenundertakenbytheOpenSpaceDesignandDevelopmentUnit,ontheprojectedcostsofopenspacecapitalprojects(forthelifeoftheOpenSpaceStrategy)asaresultoftheOpenSpaceContributionsPlan(OSCP).AsimilarcostexercisehasbeenundertakentoincorporatetheopenspacedevelopmentprojectsoutlinedwithintheBrunswick,CoburgandGlenroyStructurePlans.ThesecombinedprojectcostestimationsdeterminetheopenspacecontributionpercentageforeachsuburbwithintheCity.

TheseestimatedcapitalprojectcostsareanimportantaddendumtotheMorelandOpenSpaceStrategy.

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 9. Implementation of the Strategy 87

The cost of implementing the new Open Space StrategyItisenvisagedthebulkofcapitalprojectswillcontinuetobefundedviathePRRFhowever,theneedtoalsofundlandacquisitionfornewpublicopenspacewillreducetheannualopenspacedevelopmentcapitalprojectcapacityofthereservefundperiodically,unlesssupplementedthroughtheratebase.Thelevelofreservefundsandratefundsavailableforopenspacewillalsodeterminethelengthoftimerequiredtoimplementsignificantopenspacecapitalworksprojects.

Inordertoadequatelymaintainandprovideaqualityopenspacenetworkwithincreasingpressuresfromuseandclimateissues,anincreaseintherecurrentopenspacemaintenancebudgetisrequired.Thecostofmaintainingandmanagingnewpublicopenspacewithinactivitycentresandparksandrecreationreserverenewalprojectsmustalsobefactoredintotheannualoperationalbasebudgets.

Strategic prioritiesOverthenextten(10)years,thefollowingstrategicprioritiesforthemanagementandimprovementofMoreland’sopenspacesystemareto:

• Providequality,accessibleopenspacewithinsafewalkingdistanceofallresidents

• Continueresourcingtherestorationofthewaterwaysasregionallinearopenspace

• Allocateadequateresourcesformaintenanceandrefurbishmentofexistingandadditionalopenspace

• AssessandprioritiseopenspaceneedsinMoreland’sdesignatedPrincipal,Major,NeighbourhoodandLocalActivityCentres,particularlyforhigherdensityresidentialdevelopment

• ReviewandupdateSchedule52.01ofMoreland’sPlanningSchemetoreflectfutureopenspaceimprovementsintheGlenroyandBrunswickactivitycentreareasandtoensurethattheratesufficientlyidentifiesandcostsfutureprojects

• Reviewratebasecontributiontoopenspacecapitalworksprojectsandongoingmaintenancetoensurethatitmeetsanyfundinggap

• Diversifyrecreationandopenspaceopportunities,especiallyforchildren,youthandelderly

• DevelopanannuallyresourcedParksImprovementProgram

• Consolidatespacesalongopenspacecorridors,particularlyState-ownedproperties

• Developabiodiversitystrategytoprotectandrestorehabitatfornativefloraandfauna

• ProvidemorecomprehensivecommunityinformationaboutthediversityofMoreland’sopenspacesystem

• DevelopandutiliseanopenspacedatabaselinkedtotheGIStoimprovemanagementofopenspaceassetsandresources

• DevelopaRecreationStrategytoprovideoverarchingguidanceonthefutureprovisionofrecreationinMoreland

• Developfurtherstrategiestoassistinamelioratingtheaffectsofclimatechange

• Developasustainablewaterstrategyforopenspaceincludingprioritiesforsocialandenvironmentalaspectsofopenspace

• Developastrategytodiversifyparktypestoaddresscommunityopportunitiesandenvironmentalqualities

Monitoring, reporting and reviewCommunitysatisfactionwithMoreland’sparksandreserveswillcontinuetoberegularlymonitoredaspartofCouncil’sCustomerSatisfactionSurveys.

ProgressinimplementationofthisStrategyshouldbemonitoredandreportedannuallytoCouncil,totheSustainableMorelandAdvisoryGroupandtothecommunityviaCouncil’sAnnualReport.

TheImplementationPlan(page74)inthisStrategyshouldbereviewedeverythreeyearstoensuretheyreflectanysocial,environmentalchanges.AfullreviewoftheStrategyshouldbeundertakenafter10years.

88 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 9. Implementation of the Strategy

Community satisfaction with Moreland’s parks and reserves will continue to be regularly monitored as part of Council’s Customer Satisfaction Surveys.

89Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 9. Implementation of the Strategy

10. ImplementationPlan

90 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 10. Implementation Plan

Implementation Plan Short=1-3,Medium=3-7,Long=7-10+

Goal Objective Strategy Action Timeframe By Whom?G

oal 1

: Pro

vidi

ng p

arks

clo

se to

hom

eIncrementally acquire and develop open spaces (where possible) to increase the proximity of high quality parkland to residential dwellings

Pursueopportunitiestoacquirelocalopenspaceinareasundersuppliedbyopenspace,wheredensitiesandbuildingheightsareincreasing,orwheredwellingsoccurinmixed-useareasandactivitycentres

Improveprovisionandaccesstofunctionalopenspace,withindesignatedprincipal,majorneighbourhoodandlocalactivitycentres,byprovidinghighqualityopenspacewithin300msafewalkingdistanceoftheactivitycentre

Long PlaceDesign&Strategy

Seekopportunitiesthroughurbandevelopmenttoacquireopenspaceinareasunderserved,asapriorityforsocial/familyrecreationparks,sharedtrails,andsports

Ongoing PropertyServices

PreparealandacquisitionpolicytoguideCouncil’sstrategicacquisitionoflandfornewopenspaceandopenspaceimprovements,includingdevelopmentcontributionsundertheSubdivisionAct

Short OpenSpaceDesign&Development

Investigatetheacquisitionofthefollowingsites/areastoaddresstheunderprovisionofopenspaceintheneighbourhood/suburb:

• GlenroyPrimarySchoolland• LandinGlenroyabuttingBelair

AvenuePark• LandinPascoeValeSouth• LandinPascoeValeinthevicinityof

WindsorStreetandDerbyStreet,(ordevelopashareduseagreementwithPascoeValeNorthPrimarySchool)

• LandinBrunswickEast• LandinCoburgaroundO’HeaStreet• Landfronting33StewartStreet,Brunswick• LobbyVicTracktotransferlandto

CouncilasopenspacebetweenUpfieldtrainlineandCameronStreetrunningfromMorelandRoadalongthelengthofCameronStreet

• LobbyVicTracktotransferlandbetweenAlbertStreetrunningalongtheUpfieldbikepathandsupermarketcarpark,toCouncilasopenspace

• LobbyJemenaPowertotransferlandatGervaseStreet,GlenroytoCouncil

• PurchaselandanddevelopasmalllocalparkinthevicinityofthecornerofReynardandPortlandStreets,Coburg

• PurchaselandanddevelopasmalllocalparkinthevicinityofShirleyStreetFawkner

• LandinWestGlenroy• LandinEastGlenroy• LandinHadfield

Long PropertyServices

Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 10. Implementation Plan 91


Goal Objective Strategy Action Timeframe By Whom?

Goa

l 1 (c

ontin

ued)

Investigatethesitesdesignatedforresidentialredevelopmentinrezonedindustrialareasorincreasingemploymentinindustrialareasandidentifytheneedforopenspacetobeprovidedinconjunctionwithredevelopment

Medium StrategicPlanning

CouncilwilladvocatetotheStateGovernmenttoimplementtherecommendationsoftheVEACreportthatwhensurpluspublicutilitylandhasbeenidentifiedashavingenvironmentalorsocialvalue,thattheCouncilbegiventhefirstoptionontheland

Ongoing Council

IncorporatekeyactionsrequiringadvocacyintoCorporateAdvocacyProgram

Ongoing Council

InvestigatetheconversionofthefollowingCouncilownedsitestoopenspace

• CarparkinStewartStreet,Brunswick• CarparkinBreeseStreet,Brunswick• CarparkinEdwardsStreet,Brunswick

Medium PlaceDesign&Strategy

Seektoensurestructureplanandstrategicredevelopmentsitesprovideadequateopenspacewherebuildingheightsanddensitieswillincrease

Developandadoptastandardapproachtodeterminingwhatopenspaceisrequired,forwhat,where,andhowitshouldbeprovided


Ensurethefunctionandsettingtypeofspacesaredeterminedinthestructureplanningprocess

Ongoing PlaceDesign&Strategy

ImplementtheopenspacerecommendationsoftheBrunswick,Glenroy,andCoburg2020StructurePlans

Medium PlaceDesign&Strategy

Developimplementationplansforopenspacetoimproveprovisionandaccesstolocalopenspace,includingcivicplaces,withindesignatedprincipal,major,neighbourhoodandlocalactivitycentres

Short PlaceDesign&Strategy

Ensure every household has safe and convenient access to parkland for passive recreation, quiet contemplation, sport and access to nature

Prepareapolicytoguidetheassessmentanddisposalofanyopenspacesites

AdopttheMelbourne2030ParklandCodewhenassessinganysurplusopenspace


Ensuretheproceedsofsaleofanyopenspaceisusedtofundpriorityimprovementsandthepurchaseofotheropenspaceinareaswherethereisademonstratedneed


Provide and protect quality open space that provides a range of experiences and accessible recreation opportunities, natural and cultural heritage features, and high quality park facilities and landscape settings

Protectthevalueandamenityofexistingandnewopenspaceandstreetlandscapes

Ensurethatanynewdevelopments,otherstructuresandcarparksaresetbackandprovidenounreasonableovershadowingofopenspaceorstreetlandscapesorreductioninpublicaccess,maximiseinteractionandpassivesurveillanceopportunities,andareresponsivetotheexistingsitecontext

Ongoing StrategicPlanning




oal 1

(con

tinue

d)Continuetoencourageappropriatedevelopmentadjacenttoopenspacethatenhancespublicsurveillance,incidentallighting,encouragesuseandenhancesasenseofsecurityforusersinthespace

Ongoing UrbanPlanning

PrepareguidelinesandprotocolstoensurehighqualityandfunctionalopenspaceandstreetlandscapeoutcomesareachievedinpublicparksandstreetscapesestablishedaspartofprivatedevelopmentorCouncilprojects,andthatthesecomplementexistingprovision


Developandimplementareferencedocumenttoprovideguidanceforplanningdecisionsregardingappropriatedevelopment,particularlyforurbanconsolidationprojects,thatmayimpactonstreetlandscapesand/oropenspace


ImplementMoreland’sLightingStrategyfocusingonentrances,buildingsandpathswheretheyprovideathoroughfarethroughparks,onsharedtrailsatintersectingpaths(minimalsafetylightingtoprotecthabitatvalues),forsport(asappropriate)andlightingwillbeofbestpracticeenvironmentalefficiency

Ongoing ESD

DevelopaMemorialsandMonumentsPolicyforopenspaceandthepublicrealm

Short Governance,OpenSpaceDesign&Development




Goa

l 2: H

avin

g a

mix

of o

pen

spac

e ty

pes

and

expe

rien

ces

To maintain and develop a network of open spaces that have a broad range of functions and landscape settings reflecting benefits sought by a diverse population

Enhancethediversityofexperiencesinopenspacebydeterminingpreferredfunctionsandlandscapesettingsofallspaces

Analysethedistributionofspacesbyfunctionandlandscapesettingtodetermineomissions,duplicationsandopportunitiesforvaryingexperiences

Medium OpenSpaceDesign&Development

Undertakeacomprehensiveassessmentoftheexistingandpotentialpublicvalueofpoorquality,undevelopedspacestoidentifyopportunitiestodiversifyopenspaceuses,experiencesandlandscapesettingsinthose,orfuturedevelopmentordivestmentactions


Developparkmanagementplansforeachopenspacefunctiontype,whichincludescoreservicelevelsforsportsreserves,social/familyrecreationreserves,andsharedtrails


Enhance the diversity of opportunities and experiences in open space by classifying their function and landscape setting consciously modifying these to create the best mix

ProvideagreaterrangeoffunctiontypesandlandscapesettingswithinMoreland’sopenspace

Selectivelydevelopoutdoorrecreationfacilitiesandenhanceenvironmentalamenityofopenspace,tocreateagreaterdiversityofexperiences

Ongoing OpenSpaceDesign&Development

Endorsetherangeofopenspacefunctionsandcorrespondingcoreservicelevelstoensureopenspaceisfitforpurpose,anduseasaplanningtooltoaidplanning,siteselectionanddesignandprovidebetterguidancetodevelopers


Increasetherecurrentcapitalexpenditureprogramforplaygrounds,includingupgradesandnewfacilitiestomeetcurrentsafetystandards,enhanceaccessibilityandprovidediversityinplayopportunities


Ensurethatpublicopenspaceisprotected,andwhenexistingpublicbuildings/facilitiesonopenspacearetoberemoved,considerconversionoftheseareasbacktoparkland


DevelopanassessmenttooltodeterminesuitableuseofCouncillandincludingdesignatedpublicopenspacefortheuseofcommunitygardens


WorkwithCouncil’sSocialPolicyUnittodevelopaCouncilpolicyonsupportandresourcingcommunitygardendevelopmentinMoreland

Short SocialPolicy

If,intheviewoftheManagerUrbanSafety,significantconflictexistsinaparticularoff-leashreserve,thenareviewofthatreservewilltakeplaceandpotentialzoningofthespacewillbeinvestigated

Ongoing UrbanSafety

Enhance open space opportunities to respond to changing residential settlement types

Seektoprovidesocial/familyrecreationopenspace

RedesignGilpinParkforsocial/familyrecreation(includingdogwalking)toenhancerecreationaluseandlandscapeamenityandreplaceageinginfrastructure


RejuvenateBrunswickParkasasocial/familyrecreationopenspace,includingplantingsbarbeque,andshelter





oal 2

(con

tinue

d)ReviewtheMoombaParkConceptPlanandcontinuetodevelopMoombaParkinFawkner,toprovidearangeofrecreationopportunitiesofdistrictparkstandardtomeettheinterestsofsportingandotherusergroups,andimprovethesocial/familyrecreationopportunitiesincludingaccessinandaroundthesite


DevelopaRecreationPlanforCBSmithReserveinFawkner,toprovideamixandrangeofrecreationalopportunitiestobeaccommodatedinthewholeprecinct.Includethesoccerprecinctandyouthspace,andworktowardsimprovingopenspaceforsocial/familyrecreation,buildinginterfaces,playgroundprovisionandpedestrianandtrafficmovementwithintheprecinct


UpgradeSewellReserve,Glenroyasasportsfieldwithsocial/familyrecreationspaceandgeneralimprovementstotheamenityaroundtheperipheryoftheopenspace


RedevelopopenspaceinTullamarineprecinctassocial/familyrecreationspaceandprovidepedestrianandcyclelinkstoGowanbrae


Improvethequalityofexistingopenspace

PrepareandimplementredevelopmentplansforCityOvalandBridgesReserve,toincludeareviewoffacilitiesrequired,activerecreationuse,increasedpassiverecreationopportunities,andplanting


PlanfortheredevelopmentforactiveandpassiverecreationatBushReserveincludingincorporatingthecouncil-ownedhouseblocktoimproveaccessintotheparkandprovisionofthepassivespacetothesouthoftheblock


DevelopalandscaperedevelopmentplanforMerlynstonCreekeasement,BoundaryRoadtoHoskenReserve,CoburgNorth,includingpathways,habitatprovision,andpassiverecreationopportunities


ReviewandimplementtheGowanbraeLandscapeMasterplantoprovideforactiveandpassiverecreationopportunitiesandprovidelinkstoGlenroy,OakParkandtoHumeCityCouncil


DevelopanactiverecreationplanfortheCentralBrunswickParklands,toincorporatenetballpracticecourtsandexpansionoftenniscourtswithinRaeburnReserve,anddeterminethebestlocationforyouthspace/skateparkwithintheClifton/Gilpinprecinct


Ensureappropriateaccesstoanduseofsportsparks

Ongoing Recreation

EnhancetheaccessibilityoftheCoburgCityOval,fromSydneyRoadandthroughthesiteandtoincludeseating,picnicfacilitiesanddrinkingfountains





Goa

l 2 (c

ontin

ued)

UndertakeandimplementFlemingParkDevelopmentPlantoimprovetheopenspace,maintainingactiverecreationopportunitiesandreviewuseofcouncilbuildingsonsite


ImprovethequalityofplayingfieldsatCliftonPark,andtoincluderefurbishmentofexistinglandscape,improvedseatingandwaterfountains


RedevelopJacksonReserveincludingupgradingHStephensAthleticComplex

Short Recreation

EvaluateRichardsReserveandprepareanopenspaceredevelopmentplantoattractresidentsforactiverecreation,andenhanceamenity


Prepareandimplementafive-yearSportsfieldInfrastructureCapitalWorksPlantoguidetheannualsportsfieldupgradeadassetrenewalprogramthroughouttheCity


Reviewandimplementtheexisting,documentedheritagedevelopmentplansforMethven,FlemingandWarrParks,includingimplementingtherecommendationsofthe2009Connellanreport


ImprovethequalityofexperienceinMottReserve,Glenroytoattractresidentsforsocial/familyrecreation


DevelopdistrictlevelparkstoservicetheGlenroy,GowanbraeandPascoeValeareas


Goa

l 3: M

akin

g Pl

aces

for

natu

re

Seek to provide better buffers between urban development and waterways

Undertakesignificantrevegetationworksalongcreekcorridorsthroughoutthemunicipality

DevelopastrategicworksprogramforwaterwayrevegetationforMerlynstonandWestbreenCreeks,inconjunctionwiththeCreekManagementBodies,FriendsGroupsandMelbourneWater


ImplementtheMerriCreekEnvironsStrategy(2010)asappropriate


ImplementtheMooneePondsCreekStrategicPlan(2011)asappropriate





oal 3

(con

tinue

d)Enhance the sustainability and management of water corridors

Enhanceaccesstoselectareasofwaterwaycorridorstoprovidecontiguouspublicaccesswherepossible,whilstprotectingriparianhabitat

DevelopamanagementplanforWestbreenCreek,PascoeValeinlinewiththeWestbreenCreekParklandsMasterPlan


PrepareaconservationanddevelopmentplanforEdgarsCreekidentifyingappropriaterecreationalopportunitiesalongitsreachesandincludingthereclamationandrevitalisationofnaturalareasalongEdgarsCreek.Investigateandprovideopportunitiestoimproveaccessforuseandmaintenanceofthearea,particularlyontheeasternbankbehindtheindustrialestate


Asopportunitiesarise,acquirelandtocreateavegetatedbufferofaminimum30metreswidefromthecreekedgeoneachsideofthecreekcorridoralongMerriCreek,MooneePondsCreek,andEdgarsCreek(wherepossible).Aminimumof50metreswidefromthecreekedgeoneachsideshouldbesoughttocreateapublicopenspacecorridor

Long StrategicPlanning

Protect and enhance the ecological integrity and sustainability of Moreland's natural resources, particularly the creek corridors and remaining areas of remnant vegetation

ProtectandenhanceremnantvegetationandhabitatsinMoreland

Implementpriorityactionsfromthe‘Moreland Indigenous Vegetation Assessment 2011’


Continueanactiveprotection,managementandenhancementprogramforMoreland’sremnantvegetationinthefollowingsites:

• JukesRoadGrassland(BababiDjininang),Fawkner

• OutlookDrive,Glenroy• UnionStreetEscarpment,BrunswickWest


ReviewandupdatethemanagementplanfortheJukesRoadGrassland(BababiDjininang)


PrepareandimplementaBiodiversityStrategytoidentifyprioritymeasuresfortheprotection,restorationandenhancementofnativeplantandanimalcommunities


Reviewandassessusageandmethodofapplicationofherbicides,fertiliserandotherchemicalsinopenspacewithaviewtominimizingimpactsonnon-targetspeciesandstormwaterquality

Ongoing OpenSpaceMaintenance




Goa

l 3 (c

ontin

ued)

Seek to protect and improve the natural habitat and ecological values of waterways and natural areas complementing the demand for provision of a diversity of recreational settings and opportunities along these corridors

WorkwithneighbouringCouncilsandotherauthoritiestoenhancethevalueandhealthofwaterways

Participateintheplanninganddevelopmentofthe‘chainofparks’alongMerriCreek,asproposedinLinking People and Spaces (Parks Victoria 2002),andtheproposedmajorparknorthoftheRingRoad.

Encouragethedevelopmentofadiversityoflandscapesettingsforrecreationalongthecreek

Long OpenSpaceDesign&Development

AdvocatetoMelbourneWatertoundertakebedandbankhabitatrestorationworksalongthewaterways,includingtheremovaland/ormodificationofconcretelining.UndertakecomplementaryworksonadjoiningCouncillandwhereappropriate


Support,participateinandresourcecoordinationcommittees/networks,suchasMerriCreekandMooneePondsCreekManagementCommittees,toundertakecoordinatedmanagementofthecreekcorridors


ConstructawetlandforstormwatermanagementandfaunaandflorahabitatasperinvestigationundertakenonMerriCreek(2009)


Developandimplementfiremanagementplanwithappropriateauthorities,particularlyforthecreekcorridors

Short UrbanSafety

Goa

l 4: A

gre

ener

mor

e liv

eabl

e M

orel

and

Protect, restore, and expand interconnected open space corridors as habitat corridors

Expandopenspaceandstreetscapecorridorsashabitatcorridors

Identifyeast/westhabitatcorridorsandnominateappropriatestreetscapespeciestoprovidehabitatlinksbetweentheexistingcreekandrailwaycorridors


ReviewtheUpfieldLineHabitatLandscapePlan(1998)todevelopinpartnershipwiththecommunitytheUpfieldsharedtrailasahabitatcorridor


Increase the tree canopy in Moreland, and the biodiversity and environmental quality of the public domain

Increasetreecanopyandimprovetreehealthtocreateanurbanforest

MonitoranddevelopaprogramtoincreasetheextentoftreecanopyinMoreland

Short OpenSpaceMaintenance

EstablishaParkTreeManagementProgramtoconserve,enhance,manageandsustainthehealthandlongevityoftreesinparksandreserves.Thisshouldincludeanauditandassessmentofworksrequired,aworksscheduleandstagedimplementation


Review,updateandcontinuetoimplementCouncil’sStreetLandscapeStrategytoensurelandscapesarelinkedthroughoutthemunicipalityforamenityandenvironmentalneeds


Nominatetrialareasforopenspacehorticulturalimprovementsthatassistinamelioratingintenseweatherconditionssuchasplantingsforwindbreaks,cooling,anddisseminatinghighwaterlevels





oal 4

(con

tinue

d)Enhance the sense of civic pride and wellbeing of residents by enhancing landscape quality and views of green space

Augmentstreetscapevegetationandenhanceenvironmentalqualityinurbandevelopmenttosupplementpublicgreenspace

Wherelanddevelopmentandincreasedresidentialdensitycannotdeliveradditionalpublicorprivategreenspace,seektoproviderestorativequalities,accesstonatureandgreaterresidentialamenitythroughplanningcontrolsandworksthat:

• Increasetreecanopy• Enhancestreetscapesandlandscape

qualitieswithinprivateandpublicinfrastructuredevelopments

• Protectviewstoexistingopenspace• Establishminimumprovisionsofprivate

openspaceandpermeablespacesforresidentialareasabovethestandardsprescribedinResCodeandotherhigherdensityguidelines


Goa

l 5: M

akin

g th

e m

ost o

f ope

n sp

ace

thro

ugh

effe

ctiv

e m

anag

emen

t Protect public open space as an essential land use through appropriate planning controls

Ensureappropriatezoninganddesignationofpublicopenspace

ReviewthezoningofallpublicopenspaceownedbyCouncilandensurethatitisappropriatelyzonedintheMorelandPlanningScheme

Short StrategicPlanning

ReviewtheEnvironmentalSignificantOverlay(ESO)forMooneePondsandMerriCreekstoensureeffectiveprotectionandoperationoftheESO


NegotiatewithownersofotherauthoritiesthatCouncilmaintainsaspublicopenspace,toensureappropriatezoninganddesignationoflandaspublicopenspaceand/ortotransfermanagementtoCouncilforexample:

• LandalongEdgarsCreek,CoburgNorthandOutlookDrive,Glenroy

• LandalongtheUpfieldandCraigieburnRailwaylines

• Sharedtrails• UtilitylandinGervaseStreet,Glenroy


Seektoconsolidateandsharebuildinginfrastructureonopenspace,usingotherCouncillandtodevelopcommunityfacilitiesinpreferencetousingopenspace


EnsureheritageparksareidentifiedandprotectedbyaHeritageOverlay,including:

• BridgesReserve,Coburg• BrunswickPark,Brunswick• FlemingPark,Brunswick• JacobsReserve,Brunswick• LakeReserve,Coburg• MethvenPark,Brunswick• ShoreReserve,Coburg• TemplePark,Brunswick• WarrPark,Brunswick

Short StrategicPlanning




Goa

l 5 (c

ontin

ued)

Increase the management of open space to minimise conflicts in use

Ensureorganisedpublicuseofopenspaceismanagedanddoesnotcompromiseenvironmentalquality

Developguidelinesforcommunityperformance,festivalsandlargeeventsinpublicopenspace.Thisshouldincludemanagementofspecificsites,withtimes,permits,feestructure/bondsetc,andwithallfundsgeneratedfromitsusesbeingreturnedtoopenspacetoreinstateaffectedopenspace

Short Recreation/Arts&Culture

Developapolicyonuseofopenspacebycommercialentitiesforactivitiessuchasmarkets,personaltraining,dogtrainingandfilming

Short Recreation

Investigatethefeasibilityofintroducingparkrangerstomanageconflictsofuseandenforcelocallawsincluding:dogmanagement;encroachments;trailbikeuse;illegaldumping;andunintendeduse

Short UrbanSafety

Ensuretheeffectivehandoverandresourcingofpublicopenspacetransferredduringlanddevelopment

Developahandoverprocedureforopenspace/streetscapesbeingtransferredfromprivatelandownerstoCouncil.Ensureadditionalfundingisprovidedwiththehandoverofopenspacesitestoundertakeappropriateongoingmaintenance


ImproveproceduresforcoordinationbetweenCouncilstaffresponsibleforthetakingoverofopenspacefromnewdevelopment,toensurethatplantingandworksaredesignedandundertakeninamannerthatisconsistentwiththedesiredfunctionandsettingtypeofthespaceandsoitcanbemaintainedcosteffectively


EnsurethatopenspacetakenoverbyCouncilincludesafollow-upmaintenanceperiodof12monthstoensureappropriateestablishmentofvegetation,andmaintenanceofinfrastructure


Introduce more cost-effective, ecologically sustainable, and community responsive measures to managing public open space

Ensurewaterresourcesaremanagedsustainablyonpublicopenspace

InlinewithCouncil’sDroughtResponsePlan,improvewaterefficiencyandencouragemoresustainableplantingandpractices(withparticularfocusonkeypublicopenspaces,sportsfieldsandheritagelandscapes)


Developapolicyonappropriateuseofwateronopenspaceconsideringenvironmentalandsocialneedsforkeepingactive/passivespacesgreen,andsustaininglandscapevalues


Implementtheprinciplesofwatersensitiveurbandesigninplanning,designandopenspacemanagement

Ongoing OpenSpaceDesign&Development/OSMaintenance




oal 5

(con

tinue

d)Workwithadjacentlandownersandlandmanagementagenciestoresolveoccupancy,encroachmentandmanageshareduseofopenspace

Developstrongerrelationshipswithschoolsregardingoutofhourspublicaccesstogrounds,andtoresolveperceivedliability/dutyofcare,andresourcingissues


Reviewtheprocessfordevelopingmemorandaofunderstandingforactiveandpassiveactivitieswithschoolsregardingoutofhourspublicaccesstogrounds,liability/dutyofcareandwhatCouncilcancontribute.Developapolicyonhowandwhenmemorandaofunderstandingshouldbeusedforopenspace


PursuethedevelopmentofshareduseagreementswithGlenroyWestPrimarySchool,GlenroyCollege


RedevelopandresecuretheKODESchoolsiteasashareduseopenspace


Identifyallillegalencroachmentsontopublicopenspace,andaddresseachthroughnegotiation,reinstatementofboundariesandifnecessaryprosecution,orformaliseacceptableoccupanciesthroughleasearrangements

Medium UrbanSafety

Resolveownership,publicaccessandleasearrangementswithStateagenciesforopenspacealongwaterways,serviceeasementsandrailreserves,inordertoconsolidateandenhancetheopenspacenetwork

Medium PropertyServices

Developpedestrian/cyclelinkbetweenMooneePondsCreektrailandKarinCourt,Glenroy

Medium Transport




Goa

l 6: E

nhan

cing

par

ticip

atio

n an

d us

e of

ope

n sp

ace

Provide for a greater range of users in open space planning and design

Enhancetherangeofagegroupscateredforinopenspace

Identifyopenspacesthatcouldbeusedforabroaderrangeofdifferentactivitiesandagegroups


InlinewithrecommendationsofCouncil’soxYgenProject,continuetoconsultwithteenagersandyoungadultsaboutthetypesofoutdoorrecreationsettingsandfacilitiestheyprefer,andpursueopportunitiestocreatethese

Ongoing YouthServices

Enlargetherecurrentcapitalexpenditureprogramupgrading/renewalofplaygrounds/facilitiestomeetsafetystandardsandenhanceaccessibilityopportunitiesforallages

Ongoing OpenSpaceMaintenance/OpenSpaceDesign&Development

Provideshade,seating,andensureeaseofmovementthroughandaroundopenspaces,wherepossible


ReviewRestingPlacesStrategyandimplement


Designateplaygrounds/parksthroughoutthemunicipalityforadditionalshadestructuresandimplement


Plan,designandconstructskateparkfacilities/youthspacesinBrunswickCentralParklands,andasiteinGlenroy,andcompleteCBSmithskatefacility


Monitorexerciseequipmentinparksandincreaseprovisionofbothstaticandmovingexerciseequipmentindesignatedparks


Encourageresidentstovisitandusedifferentparksandreservesthroughregularandone-offactivitiesandeventsinpublicopenspace(aspartofCouncilrecreation,schoolholidayandothercommunitydevelopmentprograms)

Ongoing Youth&Leisure/Arts&Culture

Encourage greater community involvement in open space development

Increasecapacityforthecommunitytobeinvolvedinenhancingbiodiversityinopenspace

ReviewfocusandintentofCommunityPlantingDaystoincreasethebenefitsoftheprogram,andincludeappropriatesitepreparationandfollow-upmaintenance,inlinewithCouncil’syearlyCommunityplantingprogram


Developandimplementasupportprogramfor‘Friendsof’groups


Updateandreprint‘GardeningwithIndigenousPlantsinMoreland’,andincludesectionsonsustainablegardening


Reviewsignageinpublicopenspace

Reviewthedesignofallopenspacesignage,includingregulatorylogos


Furthercontroltheerectionofpermanentandtemporaryadvertisingsignsinpublicopenspace


Developaparkinterpretivesignagesuiteforenvironmental,culturalheritage,directionalandeducationalpurposes





oal 6

(con

tinue

d)Reinforce“ActiveMoreland”messagesindesign,development,andmarketing

Continuetoinvestigatebarriersthatdifferenttargetgroupsperceive,tousingopenspaceandseektoovercomethesethrougheducation,programmingandmarketingactivities,andthedesignandmanagementofopenspace

Ongoing SocialPolicy

Develop a greater public knowledge of the benefits of open space and physical and social opportunities it provides

Effectivelydisseminateinformationaboutthebenefitsof,andavailabilityof,publicopenspace

Provideregularuptodateinformationaboutparksandopenspacetoresidents,andwhattheycandothere

Ongoing Recreation

Developanumberofinformationalproductsinavarietyofmediatopromoteuse,valueandprotectionofopenspaceandwaystobeinvolved


ProvidecommunityinformationprogramtopromotebroaderunderstandingandappreciationofthevalueofMoreland’slocalenvironment


Promoteopportunitiesforresidentstohavetheirsayaboutopenspaceissuesandbeinvolvedinopenspacedevelopments


Goa

l 7: D

evel

opm

ent o

f a n

etw

ork

of s

hare

d tr

ails Develop a network

of shared trails to include: perimeter shared paths around large parks; trail circuits throughout each suburb connecting community facilities and parks; and access along key waterways and to regional trails

Createsharedpathperimetercircuitsaroundmajordistrictandregionalopenspace

Createatleastonesharedtrailcircuitwithineachsuburb


Developand/orenhancepedestrianlinksandcircuitsbetweenandthroughparks(whereappropriate),toencouragewalkingandcyclingforexercise


Formaliseperimeterpathsaroundthefollowingopenspaces:

• ParkerReserve(Fawkner)• ColeReserve(PascoeVale)• OakPark(OakPark)• NorthernGolfCourse(Glenroy)

throughnegotiation


Create greater opportunity for residents to use shared trails in Moreland

Seektocreatesharedtrailsthroughresidential,commercialandindustrialzones

Identifyopportunitiestocreateoffroadtrailsforwalking,dogwalking,cycling,andskatinginnewdevelopmentsandinredevelopmentareas,particularlyinactivitycentres,throughthere-designofexistingstreetscapes,andparks(whereappropriate)andpublicland


Createlinkstoopenspaceandtrailsfromactivitycentres

Short PlaceDesign&Strategy




Goa

l 7 (c

ontin

ued)

UtiliseMoreland’screekandopenspacecorridorsassharedtrailroutes

Maintainexistinginformalpathnetworksalongthecreekasaninformalrecreationalexperience


AddressgapsinpedestrianandcycleaccesstomainsharedtrailsontheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks


ImplementrecommendationsfromtheMerriCreekSharedTrailReview


AddressgapsinpedestrianaccessalongtheeasternsideofMooneePondsCreek


InvestigatefurthermeansofimprovingtheUpfieldRailwayLinesharedpathasakeytrailforpedestrianandbicyclemovementthroughthecentreofthemunicipality

Long Transport

ReviewthelocationofsharedtrailamenitiesonMerriCreekandMooneePondsCreektrails


Seektomaintainabalancebetweentheprotectionofriparianhabitatandpublicaccessalongthecreekcorridors,andvarythenatureoftrailaccessinaccordancewithenvironmentalsignificance


Investigatelandownership,andworkwithownerstoestablishasharedtrailalongtheMerlynstonCreekalignment,fromJohnStreetGlenroytoMerriCreek,NorthCoburg

Long PropertyServices

Identifyadditionalareaswherecreekscanbetraversedbysharedtrails


Provide safe and convenient access between open spaces, with connections to residential areas, civic institutions and businesses

Signandpromotetrailnetworks

PublishaguidetoMoreland’ssharedtrails,‘greenways’andinterestingroutesforwalkingandcyclingaroundtheCity

Short Recreation

Enhancedirectionalandinformationalsignagealongtrailsinthemunicipalityandprovidedirectionalsignagetoopenspaceandtrailsfromactivitycentres

Ongoing Transport

Workwithneighbouringlocalauthoritiestoprovideconsistentsignageandtrailinformation,particularlyalongcreekcorridors.Includedistancemarkersandexpectedtimeinformationonmajortrailroutes


Includedistancemarkersandexpectedtimeinformationonmajortrailroutes


Developeast/westroutestoconnecttheUpfieldRailsharedpathandidentifiedhabitatcorridorstothepathsalongtheMerriandMooneePondsCreeks,andotherwaterways

Long OpenSpaceDesign&Development/Transport


11. Appendices

105Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 11. Appendices

State Government policy

Melbourne 2030: Planning for sustainable growthReleasedin2002,thisisthecurrentVictorianGovernment’sstrategyformetropolitanMelbourne.Themainobjectiveofthestrategyistocontinuetoprotecttheliveabilityoftheestablishedareasandtoincreasinglyconcentratemajorchangeinstrategicredevelopmentsites.Coburgisidentifiedasaprincipalactivitycentre,andGlenroyandBrunswickareMajorActivityCentres.

• Policy5.6isto“improve the quality and distribution of local open space and ensure long-term protection of public open space”.Itnotesthatlocalpublicopenspaceisavitalcomponentoftheurbanfabricandmakesplacesmoreliveable.Fourinitiativesarelistedunderthispolicy(asfollows),aswellasThe Parklands Code.Managersofopenspace,includinglocalgovernment,aretogivedueconsiderationtotheCodeintheplanningandmanagementofopenspace

1. ReviewmechanismsforstrategicopenspaceplanninginconsultationwithopenspacemanagementagenciesinlightoftheParksVictoriastrategyLinkingPeopleandSpaces

2. ApplytheopenspaceplanningprinciplessetoutintheParklandsCodetoguidedecision-makingonissuessuchasopenspaceprotectionandmanagement

3. Establishaplanningframeworkandguidelinesrelatingtoopenspaceandsportingfacilitiesatlocalanddistrictlevel

4. Helplocalgovernmenttoimprovethequalityanddistributionoflocalopenspaceby:

− Researchingchangingcommunityattitudesandusagepatterns

− Providingadviceoninnovativeparkdesign

− Identifyingopportunitiestoimproveprovisioninareasidentifiedasdeficient

− Developingstrategiestomaximisetheopenspaceandconservationpotentialofneglectedorunder-usedareassuchassomerailwayland,cemeteriesandschools

• Policy5.7isto“rectify gaps in the network of metropolitan open space by creating new parks and ensure major open space corridors are protected and enhanced”.TheopenspacecorridorsalongMooneePondsandMerriCreekareidentifiedasbeingpartoftheregionalpublicopenspacenetwork.Oneoftheinitiativesunderthispolicyistocreatefourcontinuousopenspacelinksandtrails,includingtheMerriCreekParklandswithinandbeyondMoreland,extendingtoCraigieburn

Melbourne 2030 – Planning Update – Melbourne @5 MillionMelbourne@5millionisacomplementarypolicytothedirectionsofMelbourne2030releasedin2008andbothdocumentsshouldbeconsideredtogether.ItisarefinementofsomeofthekeydirectionsofMelbourne2030.Themainprincipalsare:todevelopamorecompactcity;bettermanagegrowth;developnetworkswithregionalsites;and,developagreenercity.Thisisproposedtobeachievedthroughthelinkingoftransport,jobcreationandappropriatelanduseplanning.

Appendix 1 Planning and policy context

106 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | 11. Appendices

Implications of Melbourne @5 Million for Moreland City Council are:• Oneofthekeyemploymentcorridors,

partofwhichisBellStreet,hasbeenearmarkedasapriorityforattentionfromtheStateGovernment.TheyproposetoworkwiththebusinesscommunityandLocalGovernmenttodetermineareasandsiteswithredevelopmentopportunities,produceplansforthecorridorthatsetsoutthedesireddevelopmentoutcomes,publicrealmimprovementsrequired,andanyinfrastructureneeds,andreviewandwherenecessaryproposechangestoplanningcontrolstofacilitatethedesiredoutcomes

• Itisprojectedthatestablishedsuburbsoverthenext20yearswillaccommodatehighernumbersofhouseholdsthanoriginallyanticipatedinMelbourne2030.Tomanagethisgrowthandpreserveliveabilitythefocuswillbeonmoreintensehousingdevelopmentinandaroundactivitycentres,alongtramroutesandtheorbitalbusroutesonthePrincipalPublicTransportNetwork,andareasclosetotrainstationsandonlargedevelopmentsites.MorelandCityCouncilisoneofsixcouncilsinvolvedinaPilotprojecttohelptheSub-regionreachitsfullpotential.Thisincludeslookingatfreeingupsurplusindustriallandwhichislocatedinandaroundactivitycentres,exploringwhethermorehousingcanbeaccommodatedalongtransportcorridors,andimprovingpublicspacestohelpstimulateprivateinvestmentaswellasimprovetheliveabilityofanarea

Melbourne2030isbeingreviewandanewMetropolitanStrategyisexpectedtobeadoptedwithintwelvemonths(2013).

Parklands Code: Urban Open Space PrinciplesTosustainthebenefitsofopenspaceintothefuture,andtosupportthebroadstrategiesandactionscontainedinLinkingPeopleandSpaces,thefollowingmetropolitan-wideguidelinesareproposedfortheplanningandmanagementofopenspace.Theseobjectivesrelatetothenetworkofurbanopenspaceincludingregionalparks,waterways,reservesthathaveconservationandculturalvalue,coasts,andshared-usetrails.

TheGovernmentcommitstotheseprinciplesforurbanopenspacethatiscontrolledbytheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentandParksVictorialocatedinMelbourne.Othermanagersofopenspacesuchaslocalgovernmentwillgivedueconsiderationtotheseprinciplesfortheirparklands.

Involving the communityOpenspacebelongstothecommunity.Individualsandcommunitygroupsshouldthereforebeencouragedtotakeanactiveroleindecisionmakingforthenetwork’sfuture.Openspacemanagersshouldpromotethisparticipationthroughopenconsultation,especiallywhenmajorchangestoparkmanagementanduseareproposed.Managersshouldalsocontinuetosupportcommunityinvolvementinplanting,regenerationandconservationofnaturalandculturalvalues.

Transparent planning processesToensureclearunderstandingofthemanagementobjectivesforparks,anymajorurbanparkofanareaofmorethan100hectaresshouldbecoveredbyamanagementplan,wherebydecision-makingframeworksandstrategiesforappropriateusesanddevelopmentsareidentified.Theaimoftheseplansshouldbetoprovidelong-termstrategicdirection,andtheplansshouldbereviewedwithinaplannedtimehorizon.Eitheramanagementplanoranexplicitstatementofmanagementobjectivesshouldbedevelopedforotherurbanparks.

Tomaximisebroad-communityaccesstoopenspace,anyexclusiveoccupationofparklandbycommunityorganisationsshouldberestrictedtoactivitiesthatareconsistentwiththepark’smanagementobjectives.Whenproposalsexisttouseparklandinawaythatisinconsistentwithmanagementplansorzoning,theoutcomeshouldbedeterminedthroughproperprocessesunderthePlanning and Environment Act 1987,wherebyadequateopportunitiesareprovidedforpublicobjectionstobeheard.

Buildingsandotherinfrastructurecanbeusedtofacilitatepeople’senjoymentanduseofopenspace.ItisnonethelessimportanttoensurethattheirprovisionisconsistentwiththemanagementobjectivesoftheparkandsubjecttoappropriatePlanningSchemeprocesses.


Securing the future of open spaceAppropriatezoningofopenspaceisintegraltoitslong-termsecurityandPublicParkandRecreationZoneorPublicConservationandResourceZonearethemostapplicablezoningsforparklandpurposes.Thezoningshouldbeconsistentwithrelevantmanagementplansandobjectivesfortheland,wherebyconservationzoningisappliedinordertoprotectareasofhighconservationvalueinwhichdevelopmentofvisitorfacilitiesislimited.

Largeregionalparksandsignificantconservationareasshouldbeprotectedunderlegislation,ideallybybeingpermanentlyreservedundertheCrown Lands (Reserves) Act 1978.

Existingpubliclandthatimmediatelyadjoinswaterwaysandcoastsmustremaininpublicownership,andanydevelopmentsthroughwhichpublicaccessalongstreambanksorforeshoresispreventedwillnotbepermitted.Whenadditionallandisidentifiedasbeingcriticaltocompletionofopenspacelinks,throughanyproposedrezoningorsubdivisionoflandplannerswillseektoensurethatthelinkistransferredtopublicownershipforopenspacepurposes.

Changing land useWhenproposalsarisetochangethelanduseofparkland,adecisionshouldbemadeonlyoncetheproposalhasbeenexposedtopublicscrutinythroughprocessesunderthePlanning and Environment Act 1987.Ifachangeinlanduseorinthenatureofoccupationistooccurthatwillresultinareductionofopenspace,theoverallnetworkofopenspaceshouldbeprotectedbywayofadditionofreplacementparklandofequalorgreatersizeandquality.Plannersshouldalsoseektoensurethatareasthatareatpresentlyunder-suppliedwithparklandaregivenprioritywhenthenewareasofparklandarebeingestablished.

EnvironmentalandrecreationalvalueofsurplusgovernmentlandwillbefullyevaluatedbeforeanydecisionismadeonaproposaltoselllandheldbytheCrown,agovernmentdepartmentorastatutoryauthority.

DiversityUrbanopenspaceshouldbeusedtoaccommodatetheneedsandaspirationsofpeopleofallabilities,culturesandages.Asmuchaspossibleinparks,plannersshouldprovidefornatureconservation,recreationandplay,formalandinformalsport,socialinteraction,andpeaceandsolitude.

Urbanopenspaceshouldincludecommunitysportsfacilitiesinawaythatisconsistentwithotherparkactivities.Usersshouldenjoyaccesstosportsareaswhensportingactivitiesarenotinprogress.

Sitesandfeaturesofhighscientific,nature-conservation,biodiversity,heritage,geologicalorlandscapevaluewillbeprotectedbywayofestablishingappropriatereservationsunderstate-governmentlegislation.

Victoria in Future 2008 (DPCD)VictoriainFuture2008isthecurrentpopulationandhouseholdprojectionsoftheVictorianStateGovernment.

Projectionscovertheperiod2006to2026forthestateofVictoria,metropolitanMelbourneandthewholeofregionalVictoria.

Moreland’s statistics:• PopulationgrowthinMorelandisexpected

tobemoderatebetween2006and2026

• Householdgrowthisprojectedtocontinueataslightlyfasterratethanpopulationgrowth

• Theageingthatwilloccuroverthenext20yearswillbemainlyinthe40to64agegroups,andtheover85yearsgroup

• Totalpopulationat2006was142,325,estimatedin2026tobe168,007(netincreaseof25,682)

• RecentresearchpreparedforCouncilconfirmsthisestimate(MacroPlan,2010)

• LinkingPeopleandSpaces,ParksVictoria2002–underreview(2010)

• ProposedactionsforMorelandinclude:

• Fornewareasofopenspace,whenpossible,giveprioritytoprotectionofareasofnationalandStateecologicalsignificance


• Protectopenspacethatsupportssignificantfloraandfaunaspecies,includingKinglakeNationalPark,PlentyGorgeParklandsandtheMerriCreekNativeGrasslands

• Protect,enhanceandwherepossiblelinkthesignificantriparianvegetationofwaterwayssuchastheYarraRiver,thePlentyRiver,theMooneePondsCreek,theMerriCreekandWatson’sCreekinordertoestablishregionalwildlifecorridors

• Protect,restoreandincreasethecoverofdepletedvegetationcommunities,includingPlainsGrassyWoodland,Herb-RichWoodland,NativeGrasslandandBoxIronbarkForestwithintheexistingopenspacenetwork

• Promoteeastwestlinks,bothhabitatandtrail,inordertocomplementandextendthenorthsouthlinksalongtheregionsriversandwaterways

• Protectenvironmentallysensitiveareasfromincreasedvisitorpressureduetogrowthintheresidentialpopulation

Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority Regional Catchment Strategy – 2004TheRegionalCatchmentStrategy(RCS)describesPortPhillipandWesternport’scatchmentassetsandhowtheyareinterrelated.Itindicateswhatneedstobedonetomanageandusetheassetsinasustainableandintegratedway,andoutlinesgoalsandprioritiesforthefuture.TheCMAhascoordinatedthedevelopmentoftheRCSincooperationwithgovernmentagencies,councils,non-governmentorganisations,agriculturalandindustrygroups,indigenousorganisationsandvolunteercommunitygroupsintheregion.

ThemainimplicationsforCouncilareonsustainablewateruse,includingreducingimpactsonwaterwaysandwetlands,appropriatelanduse,protectingandenhancingecosystems,andhelpingthecommunitytovalueandunderstandthecatchments’assetsandtoworktogethertoprotectthem.

Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority Native Vegetation Plan – Updates 2008Thepurposesofthisplanareto:

• Setoutacoordinatedandstrategicapproachtomanagingtheregion’snativevegetation,consistentwithVictoria’s Native Vegetation Management: A Framework For Action

• Establishregionalprioritiesandtargetsforretaining,protecting,enhancingandrestoringnativevegetation

• Providedirectiontoauthoritieswhoconsiderpermitapplicationstoclearnativevegetation

• Guideinvestmentsinnativevegetationplanningandmanagement

• Increasecommunityawarenessoftheneedforanetgainintheregion’snativevegetation,andcommunityinvolvementinmanagingtheregion’snativevegetation

• Providedetailedinformationabouttheregion’snativevegetation,whichcanbeusedinotherregionalstrategicplansandlocallandscapescaleplans,suchasintegratedcatchmentplans,communitygroup(suchasLandcare)plansandBiodiversityActionPlans,and

• Identifygapsinknowledgeabout,andresearchrequirementsfor,managingtheregion’snativevegetation

Native Vegetation Framework – Department of Sustainability and Environment 2002Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – a Framework for Actionestablishesthestrategicdirectionfortheprotection,enhancementandrevegetationofnativevegetationacrosstheState.Itaddressesnativevegetationfromawholecatchmentperspectivebutwithanecessaryfocusonprivatelandwherethecriticalissuesfrompastclearingandfragmentationofnativevegetationexist.ThePP&WPCMANativeVegetationPlanoutlinesthemainactionsforCouncil.


Victorian Cycling Strategy – Dept of Transport, 2009TheVictorianCyclingStrategyaimstoincreasecyclinglevelsacrossVictoriaandpositioncyclingalongsidecars,trains,tramsandbusesasaviableandattractivetransportoption.

Thestrategyproposestodeliverabettercyclingnetwork,promoteacultureofcycling,reduceconflictsbetweencyclistsandotherroadusers,betterintegratecyclingwithpublictransportandintegratecyclingwithlanduseplanning.

Priorityactionsinthestrategyinclude:

• Significantlyimprovingthecyclingnetworkwithin10kmoftheCBD

• EstablishingapublicbikehireschemeforMelbourne

• Installationofbikecagesat33trainstationsbytheendof2009

• Completingcyclingnetworksincentralactivitiesdistrictsandregionalcentres

• Developingbicyclefacilitiesaspartofmajortransportprojects

• DevelopingsafecyclingprogramsinVictorianschoolsandlaunchinga‘lookoutforcyclists’campaigntoeducateotherroadusersaboutcyclistsafety

• Areviewofcyclingaccidentpatternstodevelopappropriatecountermeasures

Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006TheprimaryobjectiveoftheActistorecognise,protectandconserveAboriginalculturalheritageinVictoriainwaysthatarebasedonrespectforAboriginalknowledgeandculturalandtraditionalpractices.

AsaresponsibleauthorityundertheVictoriaPlanningProvisions,CouncilmustcheckifaCulturalHeritageManagementPlanisrequiredpriortodeterminationofapplicationsforplanningpermits,amendmentstoplanningpermitsandotherstatutoryauthorisations.

Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation Discussion Paper Victorian Environment Assessment Council 2010AlthoughnotaStateGovernmentpolicythisdocumentisanimportantsnapshotofthestateofmetropolitanMelbourne’sopenspacenetworkanditsimportanceinmaintainingtheliveabilityofMelbourneandprotectionofitsenvironmentalandsocialfunctions.

Thepurposeoftheinvestigationwasto:

• Systematicallyidentifyandassesstheuses,resources,condition,valuesandmanagementofCrownland,andpublicauthoritylandinmetroMelbourne

• AssessvaluesofCrownland,andpublicauthoritylandforareasnotcommittedtoaspecificuse,andreportonappropriatefutureusesrelevanttoMelbourne’sliveabilityandopportunitiestoenhancethiscontribution

• ReportonthecontributionofCrownland,andpublicauthoritylandtoMelbourne’sliveabilityandopportunitiestoenhancethiscontribution

ItprovidesthefirstdetailedpictureoftheuseandownershipofpubliclandinMetropolitanMelbourne.

Liveabilityhasbeendefinedasreflectingthewellbeingofacommunityandcomprisesthemanycharacteristicsthatmakealocationaplacewherepeoplewanttolivenowandinthefuture.Itincludesthesocial,economicandenvironmentalconditionsnecessaryforcreatingliveablecommunities.

Thereportnotesthatlandownedbylocalcouncilsmakessignificantcontributionstotheliveabilityofcommunitiesthroughcommunityfacilitiesandservicesandopenspace.Thislandoftenadjoinsandisindistinguishablefrompublicland,andisoftenconsideredbythecommunitytobepartofthepubliclandestate,eventhoughthismaynotbethecase(VEAC2010p.91).Italsonotesthatwheresurpluspublicutilitylandhasbeenidentifiedthatifithasenvironmentaland/orcommunityvaluethatmoreeffortisrequiredtofacilitatethatlandbeingmadeavailabletothecommunity.


Morelandhasbeenidentifiedasoneofthethirdlowest(of29municipalities)providersofopenspaceper1000peopleinmetropolitanMelbourne.Thisinformationisparticularlycritical.TheprojectedpopulationgrowthforMorelandoverthenext15yearswillreduceopenspaceto2.9haper1000people.

ThisfurtherreducesaccesstoopenspaceandnegativelyimpactsontheliveabilityofMoreland.Thereportdoesnotdistinguishaccessibilityorthequalityoftheopenspace.Itonlylooksatquantity.ThismeansthatsomeareasofMoreland’scommunitywhoalreadyhavepoorqualityand/orpooraccesstoopenspacearefurtherdisadvantaged.

Victorian Government Response to Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation – Final Report (DSE March 2012)

TheGovernmentnotestheimportanceofpubliclandandthatVEAC’sworkwillhelpinformdevelopmentofametropolitanplanningstrategyforMelbourne.

SomeoftherecommendationsmadebyVEAChavebeenfullysupportedintheGovernmentresponse.OthershavebeensupportedinprincipleastheGovernmentfurtherconsiderstheimplicationsoftherecommendationsinrelationtocurrentpoliciesandworkinprogress.

Potential opportunities for funding open space development through the planning systemThePlanningandEnvironmentAct1987providesthreemechanismsthroughwhichdevelopmentcontributionscanbesoughtandcollectedthroughtheplanningsystem.Theyare:

• Voluntaryagreements(Section173agreements),

• Conditionsonplanningpermits,and

• Developmentcontributionsplans(DCP’s)

Voluntary agreementsVoluntaryagreementsprovideanalternativemechanismtoaDCPforobtainingdevelopmentcontributionstowardsinfrastructureprovision.

Section173ofthePlanningandEnvironmentAct1987providesamechanismforformalisingavoluntaryagreementbetweentheresponsibleauthority(usuallyCouncil),alandowner,andotherparties.Section173agreementsareenforceablethroughVictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunal(VCAT).

Conditions on planning permitsPlanningschemesregulatetheuseanddevelopmentofland.Onewaythisisachievedisbyrequiringcertaintypesofuseordevelopmenttobeonlycarriedoutifaplanningpermitisgranted.Theproposeduseordevelopmentmustsatisfyalltheconditionsonaplanningpermitandcomplywiththeendorsedplans.

ThereissomevalueinrevisingCouncilsstandardpermitconditionstoensuretheyareconsistentwiththeoutcomesdesiredinopenspaces.

Planningpermitconditionscanincluderequirementsfor:

• Infrastructuretobeprovided,or

• Paymentstobemadetowardstheprovisionofinfrastructure

• Moreconcertedmaintenanceperiodsforvegetationetc


Development contributions planAdevelopmentcontributionsplan(DCP)isamechanismusedtolevynewdevelopmentsforcontributionstoplannedinfrastructureneededbythefuturecommunity.

CouncilcollectsdevelopmentcontributionleviesfromnewdevelopmentsthroughanapprovedDCP.MorelandCounciliscurrentlyintheprocessofdevelopingaDCP.

ADCPidentifiesinfrastructuretobeprovided.Theinfrastructure:

• Mustserveaneighbourhoodorlargerarea

• Mustbeusedbyabroadsectionofthecommunity,and

• Willinmostcasesserveawidercatchmentthananindividualdevelopment

ItisimportanttonotethatCouncilhasadoptedtonotincludeprojectsthatcanbefundedthroughtheOpenSpaceContributionintheDCP.TheDCPcanandshouldbeusedtofundstreetlandscapeprojects.Thedevelopmentofqualitystreetscapesnotonlyprovideslinkagestoopenspace,theyprovidecriticalenvironmentalandsocialbenefitsforthecommunity.MorelandCityCouncilpoliciesandstrategies.

Council’sbroaderstrategyandpolicyframeworkaroundtheOpenSpaceStrategyisillustratedinFigure1.

Council’s City Plan – 2009-2013Aspartoftheoverallobjectivesthemainaimsforopenspaceareto:

• Collaboratewiththecommunityandrespondactivelytoclimatechange

• Improvetransportandmobility

• Effectiveuseofourlanduseanddevelopmentpoliciesforoutcomesappropriatetothelongtermneedsofthecommunities

• Maintainandenhanceappropriateinfrastructureandopenspace

• Ensurethatthecommunityhasaccesstoarangeofsportingandrecreationalopportunitiestomaximisetheirpotential

• Twoofthekeystrategicobjectivesareto:

• Maintainandenhanceappropriateinfrastructureandopenspace,including:

− CommunitycivicandrecreationalfacilitiesasperCommunityinfrastructureplanningframework

− Facilitiesplannedanddeliveredinaccordancewithannualcapitalworksprogram

− ImplementtheGowanbraeCommunityCentre&Children’sCentreProject,theOpenSpaceStrategy;commenceCoburgLakeReserveupgradeandBrunswickCentralParklandsMasterPlan

• Ensurethatthecommunityhasaccesstoarangeofsportingandrecreationalopportunitiestomaximisetheirpotential,including:

− Numberofpeopleparticipatinginorganisedsportorfacilities–increaseparticipationfrom19,000to21,000by2012

− Upgradesandimprovementstosportingfacilities

− ImplementtheAquaticStrategy,includingBrunswickBathsredevelopment&OakParkPoolupgradeandActiveWomeninMorelandStrategy


Municipal Strategic StatementTheMunicipalStrategicStatement2006(MSS)formspartoftheMorelandPlanningScheme.ItappliesthegoalsandkeycommitmentsoftheCouncilPlantotheuseanddevelopmentoflandinMoreland.Moreland’svisionisexpressedasfollows:

“Morelandseekstocreateanenvironmentallysustainableandliveablecity,wherepeoplecanshop,workandsocialiselocally.Acitywhereacarandahighincomearenotnecessaryforarichandrewardingqualityoflife.Acitywhichwillcontinuetoprovidearangeofopportunitiesandchoicesforadiverseandprosperouscommunity.”

Thedocumentreiterateselementsofthe2004Strategy,includingtheStrategicFrameworkPlanandthetargetofdevelopingasusableopenspacealltheareasassessedasundeveloped.Clause21.05-6OpenSpaceandOutdoorRecreation,presentsanumberof‘strategies’undersixobjectives:

• Tocreateanetworkbylinkingdifferentopenspaceareas

• Toprotectandmanageremnantvegetationcommunitiesandestablishanetworkofhabitatlandscapesfornativefloraandfauna

• Toprotectthewaterquality,habitatpotentialandamenityofthewaterwayenvironswithinMoreland

• Toensurethatallareashaveaccesstolocalparksanddistrictparks

• Toprovideanappropriaterangeofopenspacetypestoreflectcommunityexpectations

• Tocelebratethelocal,naturalandhistoricenvironmentandtheculturaldiversityoftheCityinopenspacedevelopment

Anumberofimplementationactionsarealsolistedinthisclause.

InJune2010CounciladoptedMoreland’sPlanningSchemeReviewReport.TherecommendationsofthisreviewwillbeundertakeninaccordancewithCouncilpriorities.AkeyrecommendationoftheReviewReportwastorevisetheMSS.TherevisionoftheMSScommencedin2010andisscheduledtobeupdatedintheMorelandPlanningSchemeby2012.DueconsiderationofrecommendationsintheOpenSpaceStrategywillberequiredthroughthisprocess.

Municipal Public Health Plan TheMorelandHealthandWellbeingPlan2010-2014(MHWP)isamajorpolicydocumentthataimstoimprovethehealth,safetyandwellbeingforthepeoplewholive,workandplayinMoreland.

Keystrategiesinclude:

• Promotephysicalactivitythroughparticipationinleisureandrecreationactivities

• Improveopportunitiestoaccessplayandrecreationspaces

• Improvetheamenityofopenspacesandstreetscapes

• Buildresilientcommunitiestoaddressclimatechangelocally,includingopportunitiestoaddressrisingenergyandwatercosts,peakoil,extremeweathereventsandfoodsecurity

• Fosteraresourceefficientcommunitythroughactionsthatimprovereliabilityandqualityofourair,soilandwater

Transport, Planning & the EnvironmentisincludedasoneoffourpolicythemesforCouncil.Council’svisionfortheCityistoseeitgroweconomically,haveimprovedsocialconditionsforitsresidents,andimprovethebuiltandnaturalenvironment.

Keypointsare:

• CouncilsupportsaplanningsystemthatencouragessustainableandappropriatedevelopmentthatlinksinwithMoreland’sOpenSpaceStrategyandensuresadequateprovisionforallresidentstoaccess

• ProtectingandimprovingPublicOpenSpace–Councilwilltreatourscarceparklandreservesasapreciouscommunityresource.Councilwillworktoensurethatallresidentshavequality,accessibleopenspacewithinsafewalkingdistance(500m),withparticularregardtohigherdensityareas(300m)

• Councilwillprotectsportingreservesandmovetoensurethatallpubliclandandopenspaceisutilisedtoitsfullpotential

• CouncilsupportstheconsolidationofopenspacecorridorsandthepermanentrezoningoflandwithparticularregardtoState-ownedproperties.

• Councilwillcontinueitsstrongemphasisonimprovingandgreeningstreetscapesandrevegetationinitiatives

• ContinuetoworkonimprovingMoreland’swaterwaysandnativefloraandfauna


Structure Plans

Coburg 2020 Structure Plan 2006TheCentralCoburg2020StructurePlanprovidesalong-termframeworkfortheregenerationoftheCoburgActivityCentreoverthenextfifteenyears.

Keyfeaturesoftheplaninclude:

• Provisionfor3,000newdwellings

• Provisionfor65,000squaremetresadditionalcommercial/retailfloorspace

• 1,400newjobsforMorelandresidentswithover10,000jobsovertheconstructionphaseover$900,000,000ofinvestmentinconstructionoverthelifeoftheproject

• MoreresidentsinthecoreaddingtothevitalityofthepublicrealmintegrationofcommunityfacilitiesandimprovedaccesstopublictransportdevelopmentcontrolledalongSydneyRoadshoppingstriptopreserveandbuilduponitsuniquecharacter

• Improvedcertaintyfornewdevelopmentforbothdeveloperandresidents

• Improvedandadditionalpublicplacesallowingformeetingplacesforall

• Improvedaccesstogreenopenspace.

EnvironmentallysustainabledesignisvitaltotheredevelopmentofCoburgandimprovedpedestrianamenity.Thisincludesarangeofgreenlinksthroughthecentreandtosurroundingparkland.Aseriesofpublicopenspacesareproposedthatwillprovideplacesforthecommunityandprovideenvironmentalbenefits.

Akeyfocusofthestructureplanisoncreatinganenvironmentthatisphysicallysuitableandsociallywelcomingtoallpeople.

TheCentralCoburg2020StructurePlanisalong-termplan.Itsdeliverywillrequiretheinputofarangeofpartnersincludingresidents,traders,communitygroups,theStateGovernmentandprivateindustry.CouncilwillplayakeyroleinfacilitatingthisplanfortheMorelandcommunity.

Glenroy Structure Plan 2009TheGlenroyStructurePlanoutlinesavisionforthefutureGlenroy.Thedocumentprovidesalong-termframeworkfortheregenerationoftheGlenroyActivityCentreoverthenext15to20years.

TheactivitycentreincludesthePascoeValeRoadandWheatsheafRoadstripshoppingcentres,theindustrialareatotheeastoftherailline,andlandabuttingtheseareas.Newdevelopmentwillprovidetheopportunitytocreateavibrantmixed-usecentrewithmoreservices,facilities,activityandresidentialopportunitiesinahigh-qualityenvironment.

Thestructureplanisgroupedintofourthemesincluding:

• Getting around Glenroy,whichincludesimprovedaccessinandaroundthecentre,transportaccess,managingcongestionandpotentialgradeseparationofrailwayline

• Places to enjoy and do business,whichincludesimprovementstothepublicrealmandprivateinvestmenttocreateavisuallyappealingcentre,animprovedmixofshopsandservices,andgreateremploymentopportunitiesincludingtypeandvarietyofjobs

• Living in the centre,includingincreasingtheresidentialpopulationtoaddvitalitytothecentre,andincreasingthevarietyofdwellingtypes,sizesandtenures

• Quality spaces for people,includingimprovingthepublicrealmtoensureasafe,attractive,walkableandcyclablesystemofstreetsandpublicspaces,high-qualitydesignincorporatingESD,enhancedlandscapingtocreateagreenerandleafiercentre,andpublicandopenspacesthatarewelldesigned


Brunswick Structure Plan 2010TheBrunswickStructurePlanoutlinesavisionforthefutureofSydneyRoad,LygonandNicholsonStreetsprecincts.Thedocumentprovidesalong-termframeworkfortheregenerationoftheBrunswickActivityCentreoverthenext15years.ThemosthighlyvaluedqualityofBrunswickbythecommunityis‘diversity’.TheStructurePlanaddressesthefollowingkeyareas:

• Integrationoftransport,landuseandthepublicrealm

• Strengtheningofactivitynodes

• Matchinglandusezoneswithobjectivesforfutureactivity

• Developmentofapproximately5,000–10,000additionaldwellings

• Encouragethedevelopmentofaccessibleandadaptablehousing

• Definingthedesiredfuturecharacterofthethreekeytransportandactivitycorridors

• ResolutionofpoorinterfacesbetweentheBrunswickCentralParklandsandtheBrunswickCoreEmploymentPrecinct

• Improvethelocalopenspaceandcaterforfuturedemandsforopenspaceandrecreationopportunities,includingthedevelopmentoffacilitiesforcommunityactivities,includingpassiveandactiverecreation

• Developmentofthreekeycommunityhubs/precincts

• DevelopmentofCouncil’sEdwardStreetcarparkforamixtureofusesincludingaffordable,accessiblehousinginpartnershipwithahousingassociation

• Betterdistributionofconvenienceretailing

• Matchingjobstotheskillsofthelocalworkforce

• Reducingcardependence(anditsimplications)

Moreland Industrial Land Use Strategy (MILUS) 2004FinalisedandadoptedbyCouncilinAugust2004andwasincludedintheMunicipalStrategicStatementandLocalPlanningPolicy(Clause22.03)oftheMorelandPlanningSchemeinNovember2006.

ThepurposeofthisstudywastoprovidecleardirectionaboutthelongtermplanningandzoningofindustriallandthroughoutMoreland.

TheMorelandIndustrialLandUseStrategydemonstrates:

• AnunderstandingofthepressuresaffectingindustrialzonedlandintheCityofMoreland,notablyadeclineinmanufacturingandotherindustry

• InsightintothefutureoutlookforexistingindustriesinMorelandaswellasforpossiblenewemploymentrelatedissues,notablyaneedforofficeandservicerelateduses

• CleardirectiontoCouncilandthecommunityaboutthelongtermplanning,zoningandredevelopmentoflandthatispresentlyincludedinIndustrial1and3,Business3and4

• MILUSPilotProject(GaleStprecinct,Brunswick)undertakeninconjunctionwithDPCDandPlanisphereearly2010

• Anticipatedincreaseofapprox.1600newdwellings/4000squaremetresofnewofficespace

• PlanningSchemeAmendmenttorezoneprecinct,andotherprecinctsadjacenttoLygonStreet,likelyearly/mid2011

• 15precinctsremaininBrunswickforrezoning


Urban Villages• 17UrbanVillagesidentifiedwithinthe

MorelandPlanningScheme

• TheUrbanVillageconceptalignswiththeNeighbourhoodActivityCentreconceptoutlinedinMelbourne2030

• UrbanVillagepolicyreviewedin2004,wheresomewereaddedandsomewereremovedbasedonamenitycriteria,e.g.distancetoshops,transport,openspace,etc

• UrbanVillageLocalPlanningPolicylocatedatClause22.02oftheMorelandPlanningScheme

• Thepolicyreliesonthepreparationofstructureplansencouragingmoreintensivedevelopmentandwalkablecommunitiesbasedona400metreradiusfromthecentreofatransportnode

• However,onlytwostructureplanshavebeenpreparedtodate:MerlynstonStationandAnsteyStation

• TheurbanvillageconceptisnowbeingreviewedthroughtheMSSReview2010/2011

Moreland Leisure Plan 2001-2006 PolicyThispolicyreplacesthe1997-2002LeisurePlan.ItdefinesCouncil’sroleinensuringtheprovisionofrelevantleisureopportunities.Sevenprinciplesunderpinthepolicy:responsivenesstodiversity;universalandequitableaccess;communityinvolvement;healthpromotion;effectiveresourceuse;accountability;andstrengtheningsocialcapital.

Recommendationsthataredirectlyrelevanttostrategicopenspaceplanninginclude:

• 1.9CouncilensuresthattheYouthandRecreationBranchisadvisedandconsultedinthedevelopmentofopenspacemasterplanningprojectsonaregularbasis

• 3.19Councilcatersforarangeofdifferentagegroupsusingparksandrecreationalreserves,bydevelopingplaygroundsforolderchildren,basketballreboundwalls,BBQfacilities,andobjects/informalareasthatyoungpeoplecanuseasskateareas.

• 8.2CouncilcontinuestoprepareaFacilityDevelopmentStrategytoprovideaplannedandconsistentframeworkforthemaintenanceanddevelopmentofleisuresports,recreationandinfrastructureinthemunicipality

• 8.15Priortoanyapprovalsbeinggranted,Councilrequiresanassessmentofallcapitalworksimprovementsproposedbyorganisationsallocatedfacilitiestoensureimprovedaccessforwomen,peoplewithdisabilities,olderadultsandothergroupsinthecommunity

• 8.19Councilincreasesshadestructures/areasinplaygroundsandensureplayequipmentcomplieswithdesignstandards

• 8.20Councilensuresthatfuturedevelopmentsinmajorparksisundertakenonlyafteramasterplanhasbeendevelopedforthewholearea(e.g.thiswillensurethatsportingareasaresurroundedbyopenspacesdesignedtoprovidearangeofrecreation,playandaestheticexperiences)

• 8.21Councildevelopsmaintenancestandardsforsportsgrounds,whichareappropriatetothestandardofsportbeingplayed(e.g.internationalstandardturfwicketpreparationisnotrequiredforsocialcricketers)

• 8.25CouncilpreparesguidelinesforthedevelopmentofsocialfacilitiesonCouncilland,takingintoconsiderationtheneedtomaintainresidentialamenityandensurethatthedesignoffacilitiesenablesusebyothergroupsduringthecurrentleaseandattheendofthetermofthelease

TheLeisurePlan2001-2006referstotheOpenSpaceStrategyandnotesthatoverall,it“complementsmanyofthepriorityareasidentifiedinthe1997-2002MorelandLeisurePlanandtheReview.Complementarystrategiesincludeissuesofimprovingaccess,communicationsandensuringthatalltheneedsofMorelandresidentsaremetsuchasolderadults,youngpeople,womenandethnicgroups”(p20)


Making people feel connected and involved in the protection, development and use of open space will provide ongoing community participation and environmental benefits.


Definitions of catchment classificationThecatchmenthierarchyhasthreetiers:

• Localopenspace

• Districtopenspace,and

• Regionalopenspace

Local open spaceThisisdefinedasspacethatispredominantlyprovidedtoservetheimmediatelocalcatchment.

Localopenspacewillberelativelysmallinsize,servicedailyandweeklyneighbourhooduseandwillgenerallybeaccessedbybicycleorfootfromthesurroundingcatchment.

Atthislevel,provisionwillincludefacilitiesforsocial/familyrecreationactivityandsocialorfoundationlevelsport,witharelativelylowlevelofcomplexity.

District open space Thisisdefinedasareasthatgenerallyserveagroupofsuburbsoraprecinct.

Theexpectationisthatresidentswouldbepreparedtodrivetotheseplaces.Theymayhavesignificancefortheprecinctasawholeorasubstantialpartofit,duetothesize,functionordiversityinthespace.Thesespacesmayalsohavelocalsignificanceforconservationandculturalvalue,and/orservelargesocialgatherings.

Thesespaceswillbegenerallylargerandofagreatercomplexitythanlocalopenspace.Typically,thestandardoffacilitiesservingthecatchmentwillbehigherthanthatatthelocallevel,andsomelevelofsupportfacilitiescanbeexpected.

Regional open space Describesareasthatserveregionalcatchmentsorthewholeoforbroaderthan,themunicipality.Theymayhostsignificantsitesorspeciesoffloraandfauna,orbyvirtueoftheirsize,diversityofopportunitiesorlevelofdevelopment.Theymayattracthighnumbersofpeopleincludingtourists.Theexpectationisthatresidentswouldnotnecessarilyexpectthesetypesofspacestobeavailableforallprimaryfunctionsandineverymunicipality

Definitions of settlement type classificationTherearethreedistinctformsofsettlementthatmayinfluencetheamountandformofopenspacetobeprovidedinMoreland.Theseare:

Suburban areasThisrelatestothesuburbsofMoreland.

Medium / higher density areasThisrelatestoareasofhigherdensity,wherelotsizesmaybesmallandprivateopenspacemaybelimited.

Table 4: Moreland Settlement Types

Settlement type Example

Suburbanareas PascoeVale

Medium/higherdensityareas

Brunswickcommercial/retailarea

Activitycentres GlenroyActivityCentre

Activity centresTheseareareaswithaconcentrationofcommercialandotherhighdensitylanduses.Thespecificrequirementofopenspacewilldifferinthissettlementtype.

Appendix 2 Classifications and core levels of service


Definitions of primary function classificationOutlinedbelowarethedefinitionsforeachoftheelevenopenspacefunctiontypes.

Table 5: Definitions and Examples of Function Types in Moreland

Function type Definition Example

Accessway/sharedtrail Areasdedicatedfor,ordominatedbyatrailorpathway,awalkwaybetweenstreets/neighbourhoodsoralongcorridorsofpublicopenspace

WesternRingRoadSharedTrail

Social/familyrecreation(orplay) Areasthatprovideopportunitiesforarangeofagegroupstypicallycateringforplay,picnics,casualballgames,trailactivitiesandenvironmentalqualities.

LakeReserve

Sport Areasreservedforsportingpursuitsforexamplebaseball,soccer,cricketorfootball

AllardPark

Civicgathering/forecourt Areasaroundorsupportingindoorcommunityfacilitiesaswellasthoseforfestivals,concerts,celebrationsforthecommunity,orcivicgatherings.

BellStReserve

Conservation(floraandfauna) Areasprotectedandmanagedfortheprotectionofflora(includingcarbonsinks)andfauna(orpotentialhabitatcorridororbiolink).Thesemayincluderecreationalopportunitiesandinterpretativesignage,paths,birdhidesetc.

MerriCreekLinearReserve

Heritage Areasdedicatedtotheprotection,orinterpretationofEuropeansettlementorindigenousculturalheritage.

MethvenPark

Memorialpark/cemetery Areasdedicatedtothememoryofpeopleorevents.

FawknerMemorialPark

Relaxation/contemplation/visualamenity

Usuallysmallareasofopenspacedesignedtoprovidevisualrelieffromurbansurroundings,andenhanceamenityofstreetscapesorcivicpride.Openspace,typicallywithhighenvironmentalqualitiesdedicatedtorelaxation,contemplation/escape,withnodedicatedfacilitiesotherthanseats,paths,viewingareasorinterpretativesignage

PlumridgePark

Utility/drainagefloodway Areasofopenlandprovidedbecausetheyaccommodateelectricsupplylines,gaspipesorwatersupplyinfrastructure.Areasofopenspacedesignatedfordrainage/waterqualitytreatmentfunctions,floodwayorretardation.

BoxForrestDrainageEasement

Communityhorticulture Areasdedicatedtohorticulturaloragriculturalrecreationactivities.

CERES

Noidentifiedfunction Areaswithnoidentifiedfunction VolgaStreetReserve


Definitions of landscape setting type classificationOutlinedbelowarethedefinitionsofeachofthetenopenspacelandscapesettings.

Table 6: Definitions and Examples of Landscape Setting Types in Moreland

Landscape setting type Definition Example

Opengrassyarea Openareasofexoticgrassthatmaynotbespecificallycultivatedasturfforsports

SumnerPark

Treedparkland Parklandwithscatteredtreesthroughoutandpossiblearoundtheboundaries,aswellasopengrassyareasinbetween

GilpinReserve

Pavedarea Asealedorpavedareasuchasaplaza,orsquare

VictoriaMall

Waterbody/wetland Awaterwayandwetland,typicallyincludingariparianzoneandvegetation

MWCRetardingBasin

Lawnormanagedturf Areasofturfmanagedforsports,aestheticpurposes,picnicsorballgames

ATCCookReserve

Specialisedsportssurface Areasofsyntheticturforspecialisedplayingsurfacesusedforsportssuchastennis,bowling,athletics,hockey

CoburgTennisClub

Ornamentalgarden Plantedareawithfloweringplantstypicallyexotic,ornamentalorspecimenplantings

ForecourtoftheMunicipalOfficesatBellStreet

Bushland/nativegrassland Areaofvegetationtypicalindigenousornativevegetationwithgenerallytwoormorestoreysincludingtrees(exceptforgrasslandareas)

JukesRoadGrassland

Vegetablegarden/farm Anareacultivatedforfoodorwinesuchaspasture,crop,vegetablegarden,orvineyard

CERES


Core levels of service – sport open space

Table 7: Sport open space core levels of service

Catchment level

Local District RegionalLocation Distribution Size Accessibility

Within1kmofalldwellings

Possiblyassociatedwithprimaryschoolstoaddressdeficiencies

Adequateforjuniorsport/kickaboutarea

Within1kmofalldwellings

Possiblyassociatedwithprimaryschoolstoaddressdeficiencies

Atleast8ha

Mayfulfiltheroleofalocalparkforurbanresidentswithin500me.g.Social/familyrecreation

Prominentsiteservedbypublictransport

Possiblyprovidedinassociatedwithanindoorcentre

Quality / Complexity Onlybasicturfqualityunlessrequiredbysharedclubuse

Ancillaryspaceofferingpleasantlandscapesetting,seatingandshade

Provideaskick-about/socialorjuniorsports,orfortraining

Playingfieldspreferablyatthesamegradeandunfencedforflexibility

Sufficientlandtoaccommodateacorerangeofcompetitionsportsinonemajorunencumberedsportsreserveinadditiontosupportbuildings/pavilions,carparking,andancillaryspaceofferingpleasantlandscapesettingfornon-sporting,recreationopportunities,dogexercise,etc

Mayincludeasyntheticorspecialisedplayingfieldsuchashockey,/athletics,watersports,turfwickets,etc

Higherqualitysupportfacilities(irrigatedtohighestlevel),playingsurfacesabletobeenclosedtotakeagatefee,competitionlights,pavilion,includingclubandsocialroomswhereapplicable

Standard of Infrastructure Maynotincludepavilions,andonlybasicsupportfacilitiessuchastoilets

Mayormaynotincludelightingdependingonthecodeandifusedfortraining

Seatingandshade,playandcontactwithnature,environmentalqualitiestoberetained

Onsitecarpark,traininglights,sharedpavilion,kiosk,publiclyaccessibletoilets,shade,shelter,somespectatorfacilities,seating,signage,andrubbishcollectionsystem

Onsitesealedcarpark.Somespectatorfacilitiespossiblyundercover,publictoilets,shade,seating,signage,andrubbishcollectionsystem

Standard of Maintenance Lowlevelirrigationfromrecycledorharvestedwater(notoutfields)

Irrigatedanddrainedsportsplayingfields


Core levels of service – social / family recreation open space

Table 8: Social / family recreation open space core levels of service

Catchment level


Nottobeprovidedonencumberedland

Within500mofeveryhousehold(withouthavingtocrossamajorroad/railwayorothermajorphysicalbarrier)

Absoluteminimumsizeof1haandminimumdimensionsof70minanydirection

Asperlocallevelprovision

Preferablyminimumsizeof2ha

Servesallsuburbanhouseswithin500mcatchmentorseveralwithdifferentlandscapesettingtypestocreatediversity

Asperdistrictprovision

Notonencumberedland

Servedbyasharedpathortrail

Providedineachactivitycentre

Maybeintheformofaplaza,regionalaccessibleplayspaceorornamentalgarden

Quality / Complexity Caterstoarangeofagegroups.

Shadetoincludematuretreesandmayincludesomestructures,seating,paths

Meetingplacewithshadeandshelter,seating,drinkingwater,allaccessibletopeoplewithadisability,accesstonature/loosematerials

Atleasttworoadfrontages,anddesirablenotrearfencesoverlookingfromprivateyards

Provisionofadogoff-leasharea

Significantshadeandshelter,seating,BBQ,publictoilets

Fullyaccessibletopeoplewithadisability,formedpaths

Standard of Infrastructure Includesareasforco-operativeplayandgames

NoBBQortoilets

Someareastohavepicnic/BBQ,toilets,additionalfacilities

Toincludesomehardballcourts

Mayincludeskatefacilities

Provisionoftoilets

Mayincludeareasofsyntheticsoftfall

Possiblyaccesstorefreshmentandothercommercialservices

Mayincludefacilitieswithsyntheticsurfaces

Provisionoflightsforsomenightactivities

Standard of Maintenance Irrigationtoabasiclevel Somespacewithirrigatedgreenlawnslightsandrubbishcollections

Considerableareasunderirrigation


Core levels of service – shared trails

Table 9: Shared trails core levels of service

Catchment level


Onecircuittrailineverylocality

Inlogicalplacesthatarewellused

Within500mofeverydwelling

Inlocalitiesthatconnectwithdestinationssuchascommunityfacilities,inpleasantlandscapes,streetsandparks

Perimeterpathsaroundlargeparks–withlocallinkstodistrictandregionaltrails

Trail2.5mwide

Wheretrailistheprimaryfunctioncorridorwidthshallbe10mwide

Aspartoflargeropenspaces.Trailshouldnotdominatespace

Within800mofeverydwellinginurbanareas

Awayfromsensitiveriparianareas/riverbanks

Circuitsaroundtheperimeterofmajorparksinaconsolidatedgravelpavement

Minimumwidth2.5m,and3mforequestrianuse


Trailsbetweensuburbs,andalongformereasementsandcreeks

Sealedtrailstobeaminimumwidthof2.5mwithdirectionsignageatnodes.Connectstosocial/familyrecreationopenspace



Quality / Complexity Ahierarchyofpathsineverynewresidentialdevelopment,andsharedfootways(connectingonto)theriver/creektrailsetc

Visuallypleasant,linearorcontiguousopenspace

Linkbetweensuburbsand/orprovidealinktoaregionaltrail.Theyarelikelytoinclude,unsealedsharedtrailsforusebyhorseriders,cyclistsandpedestrians,andsealedtrailsdesignedforcycling,skating

Trailsatadistrictlevellikelytoincludetwolevelsortrailsthatservedistrictsportsandrecreationuses

Arangeofsettingtypesalongthelengthoflongtrailstoprovidesunnyandshadedareas,connectionswithviewsandenvironmentalstimuli

Insteadofrunningatrailparallelalongasignificantwaterwayedgewithoutabufferandasingleapproachtothewatercourse–sothereisonlyasingleimpactpoint

Formedpathsincludingconsolidatedgravelpavementorgraniticsand(notscreeningsortoppings)orasphalt,orconcretedependingonkeyactivitiestobeaccommodated

Protectionzoneoneithersideofthetreadwaytoinsulatethetrailuserfromactivitiesdetrimentaltothetrailexperience,andtheenvironmentofthetrailasviewed

Standard of Infrastructure Breakoutspacesforrestandrespite

Accesstoseatinganddrinkingwateratnodes

Providedistancemarkers

Providetrailheadandactivityhubswithatoilet,carandbikeparking,picnictables,andtoiletsatlogicalentryandexitnodes

Networkstohavedirectional,interpretiveandinformationsignage

Ensureallpathandentrypointsareaccessiblebywheelchair


Parks and open spaces provide the main opportunities for viewing and experiencing nature in an urban area. Trends towards more intensive development and increased work-related stress indicate a growing need for these green spaces.


Determinesettlementtypeofdevelopablearea:

• Hubbedforruralarea

• Equaldistributionforsuburbanareas

• Appropriatenature/formofopenspaceforhigherdensityareas

Establishdetailsofplanningapplication:

• Yieldofdevelopment• Densityof

development• Natureofprivate

openspace• Natureof

streetscapeasopenspace

• Environmentalinformationandconstraints

• Establishopenspacethatoff-setsrequirementsofotherareasofCouncil

• Determineopportunityforopenspaceco-locationwithschoolsandcommercialareas

Determinedemandbasedoncurrentandprojectedpopulationfiguresforoutdoorrecreation:

• Councilproduceddata

• FindingsfromCouncilRecreationandLeisureStrategies

• ABSandExerciesRecreationandSportStatisticsfororganisedsport,physicalandleisureactivities

• Furtherdataonlessdocumentedactivitiessuchasmountainbiking,dogwalking,andfishing

• Establishmentofcoreservicelevelsforfunctiontype• Openspacefunctiontypeandlandscapesetting

required• Quality,quantity,anddistributionrequired

Determineopenspacesupplythrough:

• Assessmentofrecreationprovisioninthewiderarea

• Ananalysisoflandsubjecttodevelopment,andimplicationfor(biodiversity,heritage,transport,drainage,andfloodingpurposes)

• Assessmentoflocalandregionalopenspaceneeds

• Analysisofprovision

• Assessdevelopmentcontributionstakenthroughthedevelopment:

– Planningschemepolicyregarding%contribution

– Ensureopenspacetakenforarecreationfunctionisunencumbered,ascomplieswithcoreservicelevelcriteria

• Determinespecificgapsinsupplyandhowthesecanbefunded

• Prepareanopenspacematrixspecifyingthefunctiontypeandlandscapesettingtobeprovidedinalargedevelopmentofstructureplan,andanyembellishmentsrequiredinlinewithcoreservicelevelsdeveloped

• Ensurestructureplans/outlinedevelopmentplans/developercontributionsplansincludethefollowingLocationandpotentialforinundationof:

– Trailroutes,circuits,andconnections

– Sportsreserves – Openspacewith

asocial/familyrecreationfunction

• Throughcoreservicelevelsdeterminespecificdesigncriteriaforlevelsofcatchmentofopenspace

Nature of Development

Demand

Results in

Supply Planning Control and Design

Appendix 3 Open space planning process for residential areas


Moreland’s waterways are the distinctive natural feature of the municipality, requiring consideration as to how these can be protected as an important natural resource, whilst providing important opportunities for community recreation.


Appendix 4 Environmental weeds in Moreland

Common Name Scientific NameInvasiveness in Moreland

Priority for removal in Moreland Notes

CootamundraWattle Acacia baileyana low moderate

EarlyBlackWattle Acacia decurrens low moderate

BearsBreach Acanthus mollis moderate moderate

Box-elderMaple Acer negundo high high Seedcarriedindrainagewaterandbywind.

SycamoreMaple Acer pseudoplatanus veryhigh veryhigh

Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox ssp orientalis

moderate low;highalongwaterways

Browntopbentgrass Agrostis capillaris high low;highadjacenttonativegrasslands

donotuseinseedmixesadjacenttoconservationareas

Creepingbentgrass Agrostis stolonifera high low;highadjacenttonativegrasslands


Whitebladderflower/Cruelvine/

Arauja sericifera veryhigh veryhigh silkyseedsdispersedbywind.

Bottlebrush Callistemon rigidus low highalongwaterways

SaffronThistle Carthamus lanatus high high

Mirrorbush Coprosma repens high high

PinkPampasGrass Cortaderia jubata high high recentintroductionofnewstrainsmeansthatPampasgrassspeciescannowsetseedandspreadmanykminthewind.

PampasGrass Cortaderia selloana high high winddispersedseed

Cotoneasterspecies Cotoneaster spp veryhigh veryhigh seeddispersedwidelybybirds

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna high highalongwaterwaysandinparks

spreadbybirds

Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora

high high

ArtichokeThistle Cynara cardunculus high High

CouchGrass Cynodon dactylon high low;highinplantingbedsoradjacenttoindigenousgrassyunderstorey

TagasasteorTreeLucerne

Cytissus palmensis high high

EnglishBroom Cytissus scoparius high high

CapeIvy Delaira odorata high high

Patersonscurse Echium plantagineum veryhigh veryhigh




TreeHeath Erica arborea high veryhigh nottobeconfusedwiththenativeheaths.

SpanishHeath Erica lusitanica high high

SugarGum Eucalyptus cladocalyx low low

SpottedGum Eucalyptus maculata moderate moderateinconservationareas

TallFescue Festuca arundinacea moderate-high highinornearareaswithgrassyunderstorey

Donotuseinseedmixesadjacenttoconservationareas

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare high High

FloweringAsh Fraxinus ornus potentiallyhigh moderate

DesertAsh Fraxinus oxycarpa or rotundifolia

Veryhigh Veryhigh Canbereplacedbysterilecultivarsinheritageareas.

Flax-leafedBroom Genista linifolia veryhigh veryhigh

MontpellierBroom Genista monspessulana

veryhigh Veryhigh

EnglishIvy Hedera helix high high;veryhighadjacenttoconservationareas

Two-leafCapeTulip Homeria miniata veryhigh veryhigh rareinMoreland

YellowWaterIris Iris pseudoacorus high highalongwaterways NotknowninMorelandyet

ShastaDaisy Leucanthemum maximum

low moderatealongwaterways

Ox-eyedaisy Leucanthemum vulgare

low moderatealongwaterways

Large-leafedPrivet Ligustrum lucidum veryhigh veryhigh seeddispersedwidelybybirds

Chineseprivet Ligustrum sinensis high high seeddispersedwidelybybirds

Europeanprivet Ligustrum vulgare moderate-high moderate seeddispersedwidelybybirds

PerennialRyegrass Lolium perenne moderate-high highinoradjacenttoindiggrassyunderstorey


Japanesehoneysuckle

Lonicera japonica high high;veryhighadjacenttoconservationareas

HimalayanHoneysuckle

Lycesteria formosa high high

AfricanBoxthorn Lycium ferocissimum moderate moderate

GiantHoneyMyrtle Melaleuca armillaris low low

BridalCreeper Myrsiphyllum asparagoides

high veryhigh

Myrsiphyllum Myrsiphyllum scandens

high veryhigh

ChileanNeedle-Grass

Nasella neesiana veryhigh high;veryhighnearnativegrasslands

Spreadonmowingequipment




SerratedTussock Nasella trichotoma veryhigh veryhighthroughoutthemunicipality

Spreadonmowingequipment

Olive Olea europea moderate low,exceptwherespreadisevident

PricklyPear Oputia stricta moderate high

Soursob Oxalispes-caprae high low Highprioritywereunderstoreyplantingspresentorplanned.Avoidspreadingcontaminatedsoils.

CapeWattle Paraserianthes lophantha

moderate-high highinornearconservationareas

BananaPassionfruit Passiflora mollissima high highnearconservationareas

SwampFoxtailGrass Pennisetum alopecurioides

veryhigh high Donotuseinornamentalplantings

Kikuyu Pennisetum clandestinum

high highnearconservationareas

Spreadincontaminatedsoilandbygrowthofrunners;donotusenearconservationareas.

AfricanFeatherGrass

Pennisetum macrourum

veryhigh high Donotuseinornamentalplantings

CanaryIslandDatePalm

Phoenix canariensis highbutusuallylessthan100m

highalongwaterwaysoradjacenttoConservationareas

Seedspreadbybirds

MontereyPine Pinus radiata low lowexceptwherespreadevident

SweetPittosporum Pittosporum undulatum

high moderate;highnearconservationareas

spreadbybirds

PlaneTree Platanus hybrida low low

WinterGrass Poa annua high moderateinareaswithgrassyunderstorey


Myrtle-leafmilkwort Polygala myrtifolia high high notyetaprobleminMoreland

WhitePoplar Populus alba moderatealongwaterways

moderate spreadsbysuckeringfromparentplant.

LombardyPoplar Populus nigra var italica

low low;moderateinconservationareas

Cherry-plum Prunus cerasifera veryhigh high mostmodernplumcultivarsarelesslikelytospread.

Cherrylaurel Prunus laurocerasus veryhigh highalongwaterways

OrangeFirethorn Pyracantha angustifolia

moderate moderate spreadbybirds

NepalFirethorn Pyracantha crenulata moderate moderate spreadbybirds

BlackLocust Robinia pseudoacacia moderate moderate;highalongwaterways

thoughttobespreadbywater

BriarRose Rosa rubiginosa moderate moderate-high

Blackberry Rubus fruticosus moderate moderate-high




Willow Salix alba highalongwaterways highalongwaterways spreadbystemfragments

WeepingWillow Salix babylonica moderatealongwaterways

low;moderatealongwaterways

Willow Salix cinerea highalongwaterways highalongwaterways spreadbystemfragments

BasketWillow Salix fragillis highalongwaterways highalongwaterways spreadbystemfragmentsandseed

Willow Salix X rubens highalongwaterways highalongwaterways spreadbystemfragments

PepperorPeppercorntree

Schinus molle low low;moderateinconservationareas

MadeiraWinterCherry

Solanum pseudocapsicum

high highespeciallyalongwaterways

Speargrass Nassella hyalina veryhigh High

Speargrass Nassella leucotricha veryhigh high

Acnantherum Acnantherum caudtum high high

Tradescantia Tradescantia albiflora high High;veryhighnearwaterways

StrawberryClover Trifolium fragiferum moderate low;moderatealongwaterways


RedClover Trifolium pratense moderate low donotuseinseedmixesadjacenttoconservationareas

OtherClovers Trifolium spp low-high low;highinoradjacenttoindigenousgrassyunderstorey

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus moderate highadjacenttowaterways

Gorse Ulex europaeus high moderate-high

DutchElm Ulmus X hollandica highalongwaterways highalongwaterways windblownandwaterborneseed

Blueperiwinkle Vinca major high moderate;highalongwaterways

Commonviolet Viola odorata high low;highalongwaterways

BulbilWatsonia Watsonia meriana 'bulbilifera'

veryhigh veryhigh

WhiteArumLily Zantedeschia aethiopica

low-moderate low;moderatealongwaterways


Progress in implementation of this Strategy should be monitored and reported annually to Council, to the Sustainable Moreland Advisory Group and to the community via Council’s Annual Report.


AspectMelbournePtyLtd(2002)MorelandOpenSpaceStrategyPartialReviewandAuditof1996-2001Implementation.ReporttoMorelandCityCouncil.

AustralianLandscapeManagement(undated)HopetoDawsonStreetsOpenSpaceLandscapeWorks1999-2002.TenderDocumentationandLandscapeManagementPlan.MooneePondsCreek.PreparedforMorelandCityCouncil.

Bainbridge,B.,Bush,J.M.,&Faithfull,M.A.(1998)MorelandRemnantVegetationAssessment.MerriCreekManagementCommittee,forMorelandCityCouncil.

CollieLandscapeandDesignPtyLtd(1998)CoburgLakeReserveManagementPlan.ReporttoMorelandCityCouncil.

CommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearchOrganisation(2009)Our climate is changing,http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/Climate-is-changing.aspx

DeptofSustainability&Environment2009,ClimateChangeWebsitehttp://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/7589A5397D8E03B2CA2574740010470C/$File/PPWP_WEB.pdf

DeptofSustainability&Environment2012,Victorian Government Response to Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s Metropolitan Melbourne Investigation – Final Reporthttp://www.veac.vic.gov.au/documents/Vic-Gov-Response-to-VEAC-Metro-Melb.pdf

EDGeEnvironmentalDesignGroup,ContextPtyLtd&MerriCreekManagementCommittee(1998)WestbreenCreekParklands–FinalReport.PreparedforMorelandCityCouncil.

Gill,S.E.,Handley,J.F.,Ennos,A.R.andPauleit,S.(2007)Adapting Cities for Climate Change: The Role of the Green Infrastructure,http://www.coolrooftoolkit.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Gill_Adapting_Cities.pdf

Loughnan,Margaret,Nicholls,Neville,andTapper,Nigel2009Hot Spots Project – A spatial vulnerability analysis of urban populations to extreme heat events,http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/downloads/heatwaves_hotspots_project.pdf

Minton,A.,(2009)Founding father makes rousing case for turning grey to greenhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org.uk/articles/founding-father-makes-rousing-case-for-turning-grey-to-green

Maller,C.,Townsend,M.,Brown,P.&StLeger,L.(2002)Healthy Parks Healthy People: The health benefits of contact with nature in a park context.Areviewofcurrentliterature.ReporttoParksVictoriaandtheInternationalParkStrategicPartnersGroup.FacultyofHealthandBehaviouralSciences,DeakinUniversity,Melbourne.

MerriCreekManagementCommittee(1999)Gardening with Indigenous Plants in Moreland.PreparedforMorelandCityCouncil.

MinistryforPlanningandEnvironment(1988)Melbourne Metropolitan Recreation and Open Space Inventory.

References

133Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | References

MinistryforPlanning&Environment(1989)Planning Guide for Urban Open Space. Melbourne.

MooreGM(2009b)Urban Trees: Worth More Than They CostLawryD,JGardnerandSSmithEditors,ProceedingsoftheTenthNationalStreetTreeSymposium,7-14,UniversityofAdelaide/WaiteArboretum,Adelaide,ISBN978-0-9805572-2-0

MorelandCityCouncil(1996)Open Space Strategy.PreparedbyContextPtyLtd,MerriCreekManagementCommitteestaffandEDGeEnvironmentalDesignGroupPtyLtd.

MorelandCityCouncil(2002)Moonee Ponds and Merri Creeks Resting Places Strategy.PreparedbyAspectMelbournePtyLtd.

MorelandCityCouncil(1997)Moreland Street Landscape Strategy 1997-2017.PreparedforCouncilbyAustralianLandscapeManagement.

MorelandCityCouncil(undated)Moreland Landscape Guidelines and Technical Notes.PreparedforCouncilbyUrbanInitiatives,AustralianLandscapeManagementandIainShearsHorticulture.

MorelandCityCouncil(1997)‘Urbanvillages:asustainablefutureforMoreland.’PreparedbyLesterTownsend,IntegratedUrbanManagement.

MorelandCityCouncil(2003)Disability Policy and Action Plan 2003-2006.

MorelandCityCouncil(2002)Focus on Fawkner Community Action Plan 2003-2005.

MorelandForecastID.Availablefromwww.forecast.id.com.au

ParksVictoria(2002)Linking People and Spaces: A strategy for Melbourne’s open space network.PublishedbyParksVictoria.Availablefromwww.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

Planisphere(2002)‘OpenSpaceDeveloperContributions:ReviewofOptions.’ReporttoCityofMoreland.

ResearchWiseConsultants(1998)‘AQualitativeReportonAttitudestoandExpectationsofWaterways’forMelbourneWater.

SinclairKnightMerz(2000)Moreland Bike Plan.PreparedforMorelandCityCouncil.

Taylor&CullityLandscapeArchitectsPtyLtd(1997)MoombaParkConceptPlan.PreparedforMorelandCityCouncil.

Victoria,Stateof(2002)Melbourne 2030. Planning for sustainable growth.Availablefromwww.melbourne2030.vic.gov.au.

134 Moreland City Council | Open Space Strategy 2012-2022 | References

Revive Laser is Australian made and contains 100% recycled fibre. Revive Laser is also Certified Carbon Neutral by the Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency’s National Carbon Offset Standard

(NCOS), an Australian Government Initiative. No chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process and Australian Paper is ISO 14001 certified. Sales of Revive Laser support Landcare Australia.

For further information, contact Moreland City Council by:

Phone: 9240 1111 Email: [email protected] Website: moreland.vic.gov.au

Disclaimer: This publication is produced by Moreland City Council and is intended for information and communication purposes only. Although the publication may be of assistance to you Moreland City Council does not guarantee that it is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes. It and its employees do not accept any responsibility, and indeed expressly disclaim any liability, for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, suffered by any person as the result of or arising from reliance on any information contained in the publication.

© All applicable copyrights reserved for Moreland City Council. Except for any uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or in any medium (whether electronic or otherwise) without the express permission of Moreland City Council.

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