direction 5 - planning · 2018-01-15 · direction 5 5.1 promote good urban design to make the...

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5.1 Promote good urban design to make theenvironment more liveable and attractive

5.2 Recognise and protect cultural identity,neighbourhood character and sense of place

5.3 Improve community safety and encourageneighbourhood design that makes people feel safe

5.4 Protect heritage places and values

5.5 Promote excellent neighbourhood design to createattractive, walkable and diverse communities

5.6 Improve the quality and distribution of local openspace and ensure long-term protection of publicopen space

5.7 Rectify gaps in the network of metropolitan openspace by creating new parks and ensure major open-space corridors are protected and enhanced

5.8 Improve the environmental health of the bays andtheir catchments

5.9 Protect coastal and foreshore environments, andimprove public access and recreational facilitiesaround Port Phillip Bay and Western Port

5.10 Maintain and develop metropolitan Melbourne as a desirable tourist destination

A great place to be

5

Planning for sustainable growth Page 91

Melbourne 2030

POLICY 5.1

Promote good urban designto make the environmentmore liveable and attractive

The physical environment affects

people’s ability to participate in

community activities, access services

and facilities, and undertake their daily

lives. It also affects their sense of

community and security. Urban design,

including the design of buildings,

streets and neighbourhoods, can

foster or discourage interaction and

participation in civic life.

New development or redevelopment willcontribute to community and cultural life byimproving safety, diversity and choice, thequality of living and working environments,accessibility and inclusiveness, andenvironmental sustainability. High-qualitydesign will be expected for private and publicbuildings and spaces, transport routes andcorridors, and related infrastructure – theGovernment’s new Victorian Design Advisory

Council will support this expectation.Development will respond to its context interms of urban character, cultural heritage,natural features and climate (see ‘Principlesfor development of urban design guidelines’).

Attractive landscapes are valuable inmetropolitan Melbourne and thesurrounding region. Because a number ofdistinct landscape types come together in thecentre of this region, residents can enjoy awide range of scenic environments for living,working and recreation. Melbourne 2030intends that future development will respondto the surrounding landscape. This isparticularly important around metropolitanMelbourne, given its often subtle topog-raphy. Melbourne 2030 complements theVictorian Coastal Strategy 2002 to ensurethat sensitive landscape areas such as thebays and coastlines are protected and thatnew development does not detract fromtheir natural quality.

Development will respond to its surroundings, such as

urban character, culturalheritage, natural features

and climate

Direction 5

Transport corridors are a public face of ourcities, towns, suburbs and countryside. Insome urban areas, they represent thebiggest single public open space resource.Land-use planning, urban design andtransport planning will be integrated inthese corridors. Particular attention will bepaid to urban design aspects such as openspace potential and the use of vegetation tomaintain wildlife corridors and greenhouse‘sinks’. Urban design is also important increating safe, walkable and attractiveenvironments, which will make using publictransport more attractive.


Initiatives5.1.1 Provide leadership in sustainable

urban design and integrated placemanagement through awards, adviceand training programs, and byensuring that government projectsare exemplary

5.1.2 Review and revise urban designguidelines for incorporation in theplanning system, ensuring thatdevelopment provides qualityenvironments consistent with theobjectives of Melbourne 2030

5.1.3 Develop and apply performancecriteria and standards for safety,surveillance, noise, amenity andprivacy for subdivision and newdevelopment not covered by ResCode

5.1.4 Develop urban design projects withlocal government and other partnersto apply good urban designprinciples and meet the outcomessought by Melbourne 2030, givingpriority to areas of social need

5.1.5 Integrate land-use planning, urbandesign and transport planning, andprepare guidelines for developmentand management of transportcorridors with particular attentionto urban design aspects

5.1.6 Review the rate of progress inputting powerlines (11 kV andbelow) underground, giving priorityto visually sensitive areas, andinvestigate alternative fundingmechanisms

5.1.7 Provide assistance to local councilsfor projects to improve landscapequalities, open space linkages andenvironmental performance ingreen wedges, conservation areasand non-urban areas

Melbourne 2030

POLICY 5.1

Principles fordevelopment ofurban designguidelinesDesign for community safety

• clearly define the difference andboundary between public andprivate space

• foster natural surveillance by providingbuildings with ‘active’ ground floors andorient these to streets, squares and parks

• bring together the main lines ofmovement to concentrate activity, andmix uses to increase the intensity andduration of activity

• provide clear open lines of sight, clearlyidentify entry and exit points, andprovide alternative means of exit

• provide good lighting and visibility tocreate an environment that helps peopleto find their way easily

Design for diversity and choice

• reinforce differences between placesby highlighting and celebratingunique qualities

• respond to context, in particular,underlying landscape character, culturalheritage, valued existing built form,ecology and habitat

Relate the built environment tocommunity and culture

• seek community involvement and expressthe values, needs and aspirations ofgroups in the community for whom theplace is being designed

• indicate image and function throughlandmarks, skyline, hierarchy and markededges and gateways

• incorporate public art where possible

Provide quality built form

• by adopting high design standards,create developments that add to thequality of the area and provide a highstandard of amenity for all users

Design for accessibility andinclusiveness

• address the needs of all users, includingthose with disabilities

• direct public transport, walking andcycling into the heart of an area, andas close as possible to meeting areasand public spaces

• ensure that new development is ofsuitable scale to encourage interactionand participation, and also to allow forretreat and individual activity

• establish a high-quality pedestrian-oriented street environment that isvisually interesting, comprehensive,varied and well-connected

Design for sustainability

• consider the whole life of any planneddevelopment and design appropriatelyfor location, functions, local climateand terrain

• use resources efficiently, minimise wasteand use environmentally benignmaterials in construction, operation andmaintenance to promote the health ofconstruction workers and occupants

• use renewable energy where possibleand aim for energy efficiency

• adopt water-sensitive design by meanssuch as encouraging rainwater collectionand using as many permeable surfacesas possible

• design and construct buildings that areflexible enough to accommodate arange of uses over time

• design for reduction and abatementof noise.

Direction 5

Cultural identity makes a region, town

or neighbourhood unique. With sense

of place, it reinforces a feeling of

belonging. While heritage and

neighbourhood character are clear

components of sense of place, this

also arises from non-physical aspects

that evolve over time, such as activities,

people and the resulting cultural

vitality. These should not be affected

unintentionally by development.

Sense of community, sense of place andshared identity can be heightened throughthe powerful community-building tools ofthe arts and culture. Participation andengagement in creative activities also fosterscultural vitality and innovation at local level.

New development and redevelopment inmetropolitan Melbourne and the surroundingregion will respond and contribute toexisting sense of place and cultural identity.Links between land-use planning and culturalplanning will be strengthened.

Development will respond to its context. Thespecial characteristics of a local environmentor place will be reinforced by emphasising:

• the underlying (natural) landscapecharacter – this is fundamental to itssense of place, even where substantialurban development has occurred

• heritage values and built form that hasresonance for the community

• the values, needs and aspirations ofthe community.

Neighbourhood character is an importantcomponent of sense of place and a keyelement of ResCode. Identifying and definingneighbourhood character is not aboutimposing design styles, but about recognisingdistinctive urban forms and layout and theirrelationship to the landscape and vegetation.ResCode and other planning requirementswill be used to ensure protection of existingvalued urban and neighbourhood character.

The urban form of each town and cityrepresents an accumulated memory of itsorigins and the way it has grown. Futuredevelopment will respect and add to thislayering of community memory and history.

Initiatives5.2.1 Research the relationship between

sense of place, urban character,landscape character and neighbour-hood character as a basis forimprovements to the planningsystem

5.2.2 Strengthen tools in the planningsystem to ensure developmentresponds to its context in terms ofbuilt form, landscape character andcultural identity

5.2.3 Assist local government toundertake cultural planning toencourage and support localcultural activity and identity


Recognise and protectcultural identity,neighbourhood characterand sense of place

Arts and culture can increase sense of community, sense of

place, and shared identity

POLICY 5.2

Melbourne 2030

POLICY 5.3

Improve community safetyand encourage neighbourhooddesign that makes people feel safe

Concerns about safety may restrict

people’s mobility and levels of activity

and may exclude them from some

places, particularly at night. Such

concerns can lead to loss of

independence, isolation or constraint

on some activities.

The perception of safety can have as great animpact on people’s lives as do actual levels ofsafety or crime. Different groups may feelmore vulnerable than others, making safetyan important equity issue. All people shouldbe safe, and they should feel safe (see‘Community safety’).

The Government is implementing a number ofinitiatives related to community safety. Therecently launched ‘Safer Streets and Homes’strategy sets out how government andcommunity initiatives can mesh to helppeople feel confident about their safety. Itacknowledges that the built environment canmake a considerable contribution to safetyand perceptions of safety, through the designof buildings and public spaces and the mix ofactivities therein. Provision will be made inactivity centres for suitable locations for policestations and fire brigade, ambulance andemergency services. In newly developingareas, these services will be located together.Public safety and perceptions of safety will beconsidered when developing or amendingplanning provisions, structure plans andurban design guidelines, criteria andstandards.

The Government is taking action to improve community safety

Melbourne 2030 is committed to improvingpublic safety in all circumstances. Asperceptions of safety have an influence ontravel choice, the Strategy takes anintegrated approach to travel safety.Addressing safety concerns is fundamental toachieving the objective of increased publictransport usage, walking and cycling. Currenttraffic conditions make travel by car seem asafer option than walking and cycling interms of personal injury. Many people feelunsafe travelling on public transport andgetting to and from it. Initiatives undertakenwill provide safer walking and cycling routesand improve safety for people accessing andusing public transport.


Community safetyThe Government’s new Crime PreventionVictoria agency works closely withcommunities to identify crime hot spotsand formulate effective crimeprevention strategies.

The Justice portfolio and its agencies,including Victoria Police, Metropolitan Fireand Emergency Services, the Country FireAuthority and the Victoria State EmergencyService, play a key role in contributing to thecommunity being safe and feeling confidentabout its safety.

Victoria’s emergency service organisationsstrongly value the development of partner-ships with local communities, localgovernment and other government agenciesthat emphasise:

• preventing and reducing crime andviolence

• minimising personal injury in the home,at work, or at leisure

• managing emergencies when they arise.

• working in partnership with business,local government and the communityto prevent and mitigate emergencyincidents.

Initiatives5.3.1 Set up programs to improve the

safety and security of people inpublic places and while using publictransport, walking or cycling

5.3.2 Establish an interagency forum toimprove community safety throughthe application of urban designprinciples

5.3.3 Locate police, fire, ambulance andother emergency services in or nearactivity centres to enable strongerlinkages and faster action inemergencies

5.3.4 Implement community policingprograms, linking them tocommunity building partnershipsand programs that address thecauses of crime

5.3.5 Include ‘safer design’ guidelines andprinciples in the planning system toimprove perceptions of safety andreduce the occurrence of crime andviolence in built environments

Direction 5

Melbourne is recognised for the

quality and preservation of its historic

architecture and its cultural landscapes

that include street patterns, laneways,

parks and gardens. Established in the

mid-1830s by land-hungry speculators,

Melbourne grew rapidly to become

one of the great nineteenth century

cities of the world. As a gateway to a

thriving pastoral hinterland, and then

from the 1850s as the principal city in

a gold-mad and energetic society,

Melbourne was shaped by

extraordinary social, technological and

economic forces. Its remarkable

heritage of Victorian-era buildings

reflects the wealth coming from gold

and other robust nineteenth century

industries such as wool, as well as

developments in building techniques

and the use of distinctive local

materials.

The tangible resources of cultural heritagecan be seen in buildings, landscapes andlandmarks. They offer a way of experiencingthe heritage and unique cultural identity ofthe people who live in a region.

Heritage can operate as a vector fordevelopment. It can attract tourists and helpto position cities within the urban hierarchy,nationally and internationally. To effectivelyuse the heritage of Melbourne in this way, itis necessary to clearly understand thequalities that contribute to its distinctivenessand competitive advantage. In particular,overseas visitors seek out the internationallydistinctive aspects of Melbourne's heritagesuch as the Parliament precinct, the tramsand the ‘Golden Mile Heritage Trail’ in theCentral Business District. It is important toencourage partnerships which promote thequalities and benefits that heritage adds toMelbourne as a world-class city.

Heritage can also be intangible. It is not justabout conservation, but aboutunderstanding the history, developmentpatterns, cultural layers and themes ofplaces. These may be expressed in buildingsor through traditions of public life, festivals,rituals, arts and crafts. A goodunderstanding of the past is important inplanning and designing sustainable andliveable communities for the future. Heritagecontributes to a sense of place, communityand identity. It is a factor in attracting theskilled workers and businesses that make theregion internationally competitive.

POLICY 5.4

Protect heritage placesand values

Page 98 Melbourne 2030

Conserving Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural

heritage is important

Victorian HeritageStrategy The Victorian Heritage Strategy 2000-2005is a five-year vision to identify, protect andmanage the State’s cultural heritage assets.It recognises the economic importance ofheritage in Victoria, and its contribution toindustry, tourism and the community.

The key goals of the Victorian HeritageStrategy are:

• knowing by increasing knowledge ofVictoria's heritage places and objects

• communicating by enhancingcommunity understanding andappreciation of heritage

• protecting by providing mechanismsfor the strategic and practical protectionof heritage places and objects

• managing by supporting proactivemanagement and sustainable use ofheritage assets

The Strategy is being implemented througha range of initiatives and programsincluding:

• improved access to heritage informationincluding the various lists and registers

• developing community-based restorationprograms, for example, Hands onHeritage

• promoting best practice examples whichhighlight the benefits that heritageconservation contributes to sustainabledevelopment

• increased recognition for significantcollections of heritage objects

• an improved emphasis on complianceand enforcement

• support for consistent national heritagestandards.

Initiatives5.4.1 Work with relevant agencies to

enhance respect and understandingfor Indigenous peoples and culture,and develop ways to recogniseimportant Indigenous cultural issueswithin the planning system

5.4.2 Promote a consistent framework forassessment of heritage places andrefine guidelines for the assessmentof development proposals under theHeritage Overlay

5.4.3 Provide guidance to localgovernment and other agencies onpreparing statements of heritagesignificance

5.4.4 Ensure that planning schemesreflect the full extent of heritagevalues in each municipality

5.4.5 Establish an awards system toencourage and recognise goodheritage conservation practice

5.4.6 Provide practical assistance andsupport for the adaptive reuse ofheritage buildings whose use hasbecome redundant

Direction 5

Planning for sustainable growth 9

Melbourne 2030 recognises the importanceof conserving places of Indigenous andnon-Indigenous cultural heritage. The widerange of sites that exists acrossmetropolitan Melbourne and thesurrounding region includes places ofspiritual importance or meaning toIndigenous people, cultural landscapes,archaeological sites and relics and historicplaces. There are, for example, 965 ‘places’listed in the Victorian Heritage Register formetropolitan Melbourne. Attention will bepaid to conserving these while encouragingappropriate new development that respectsthose established heritage values (see‘Victorian Heritage Strategy’).

The identification, conservation, protectionand management of cultural heritagevalues across the region will receivecontinued support. While all local councilsin metropolitan Melbourne have some formof heritage overlay in their planningschemes based on heritage studies, acommon framework will be promoted toachieve a consistent approach by all agentsinvolved in the processes of heritageassessment, protection and management.

Melbourne 2030 intends that

neighbourhoods should be created as

integrated and interconnected

communities, not just as subdivisions.

It adopts a set of Neighbourhood

Principles that apply to the develop-

ment of new areas and to major

redevelopment in existing areas (see

‘Neighbourhood Principles’). Not only

will new developments meet basic

needs, they will also build a strong

sense of place and community.

Because the population is made up of

people of different ages, genders,

family types, cultural backgrounds,

interests and abilities, neighbourhoods

must respond to different needs,

opportunities and aspirations.

In some areas, low population densitiescombined with inappropriate developmentpatterns make it difficult to provide easilyaccessible local facilities, services, publictransport and job opportunities. People canbecome isolated at home or dependent onothers for access to services. Due to thesedifficulties, while housing may be relativelyinexpensive, the total cost of living is oftenhigher than it need be.

New areas will be comprehensively plannedas sustainable communities that offer high-quality, frequent and safe local and regionalpublic transport, and a range of localactivities – living, working and recreational.Emphasis will be placed on fostering healthylifestyles through initiatives such as creatingwalkable neighbourhoods where it is easyand attractive to walk or cycle to facilitiesand services.

It is important that convenience services,meeting day-to-day needs, are availablewithin walking distance of where people live.The clustering of complementary facilities inNeighbourhood Activity Centres, including

community, education and convenienceservices, will provide improved access,opportunities for co-location and sharing ofresources, and stronger support for localeconomic activity.

Partnerships between developers, localgovernment and the community areencouraged in order to make the most ofopportunities for sharing social infra-structure, making best use of scarceresources and meeting a wider range ofcommunity needs. Bringing diverse activitiestogether can provide a focal point,encouraging synergies and attracting moreand different groups of people.

The Government has recognised theimportance of protecting the liveability ofneighbourhoods in proclaiming theEnvironment Protection (LiveableNeighbourhoods) Act 2001. This enableslocal communities to work together on theseimportant issues (see ‘NeighbourhoodEnvironment Improvement Plans’).

0 Melbourne 2030

POLICY 5.5

Promote excellentneighbourhood design tocreate attractive, walkableand diverse communities

Neighbourhoods should developas integrated and interconnected

communities

Direction 5


Initiatives5.5.1 Update the residential subdivision

provisions in the Victoria PlanningProvisions to promote theNeighbourhood Principles

5.5.2 Adopt guidelines to assist localgovernment in supporting localconvenience services

5.5.3 Apply the NeighbourhoodPrinciples in the creation or reviewof growth area developmentplans, in structure plansfor new subdivisions, and inplanning for the improvement orredevelopment of existing areas

5.5.4 Promote the development ofNeighbourhood EnvironmentImprovement Plans to ensure thatcommunity environmentalconcerns are heard and addressed

Design to foster interaction and build in safety

Public transport focus

Links and connections to adjoining neighbourhoods

Open space to meet a variety of needs and links to open space networks

Environmentally friendly development

Compact – with walkable distance between housing and centre

Mix of uses clustered in centre including schools, health and community facilities

Interconnected pedestrian-friendly layout

Mix of housing types to meet a range of needs and aspirations

Higher density development within centre 400–500m walkable

buses/trams

trains

Centre

Higher density development in andaround centre

Open space

Figure 37. Sustainable neighbourhood structure

• Most areas within walkingdistance of a centre

• Supports public transport

• Neighbourhoods clusteredto support larger centre

• No, or minimal, public transport

• Street pattern makes walking between places and bus connections difficult

• Many people cannot walkto a centre

Less successful

400 –500m

Supports Strategy objectives

400 –500 m

trams

buses

centretrains

Figure 38. Sustainable urban structure

Melbourne 2030

NeighbourhoodPrinciples These principles represent characteristics ofliveable neighbourhoods:

• an urban structure where networks ofneighbourhoods are clustered to supportlarger activity centres on the PrincipalPublic Transport Network

• compact neighbourhoods that areoriented around walkable distancesbetween activities and whereneighbourhood centres provide accessto services and facilities to meetday-to-day needs

• reduced dependence on car use becausepublic transport is easy to use, there aresafe and attractive spaces for walkingand cycling, and subdivision layoutsallow easy movement through andbetween neighbourhoods

• a range of lot sizes and of housing typesto satisfy the needs and aspirations ofdifferent groups of people

• integration of housing, workplaces,shopping, recreation and communityservices, to provide a mix and level ofactivity that attracts people, creates asafe environment, stimulates interactionand provides a lively community focus

• a range of open spaces to meet avariety of needs, with links to openspace networks and regional parkswhere possible

• a strong sense of place created becauseneighbourhood development emphasisesexisting cultural heritage values, attractivebuilt form and landscape character

• environmentally friendly developmentthat includes improved energy efficiency,water conservation, local management ofstormwater and waste water treatment,less waste and reduced air pollution

• protection and enhancement of nativehabitat and discouragement of thespread and planting of noxious weeds.

NeighbourhoodEnvironmentImprovementPlans These are a new tool under the EnvironmentProtection Act 1970. They enablecommunities to work together to identifyand act on environmental issues at local level.

Neighbourhood Environment ImprovementPlans (EIPs) are developed by all sections ofthe community, in partnership, to improveand sustain the environment for everyone.Through extensive public consultation, theytackle those issues communities identify asimportant to their health, safety andenjoyment of the local area.

Typically, a local council, catchment authorityor other government body will help sponsordevelopment of a Neighbourhood EIP and,

with the support of EPA Victoria, will leadand publicise the proposal. Communities arerequired to develop a proposal, inconsultation with all potential parties to theplan, for submission to EPA Victoria forendorsement.

Neighbourhood EIPs might seek to tackle asingle issue, or many. They can evolve andchange over time. They may work towardsecologically sustainable development. Thisinbuilt flexibility is designed to maximise thebenefits of community oriented action.

The Neighbourhood EIP provisions came intoeffect in July 2001. EPA Victoria is triallingthe provisions and working with a number oflocal councils to develop and learn from pilotNeighbourhood EIPs how to address localenvironmental issues. In metropolitanMelbourne, this includes Edwardes Lake inDarebin and the Stony Creek in the innerwestern suburbs.

POLICY 5.5

POLICY 5.6

Improve the quality anddistribution of local open spaceand ensure long-term protectionof public open space

Parks Victoria manages more than

6,000 hectares of parks in metropol-

itan Melbourne. These regional parks

and trails are a major contributor to

Melbourne’s liveability (see Policy 5.7).

However, local public open space is a

vital component of the urban fabric.

It, too, makes places more liveable.

Surveys indicate that people visit local parksmore often than district or regional parksthat are at metropolitan scale. However,these local spaces are sometimes relativelypoor in quality and may lack diversity. Socialand demographic changes and changes inurban form mean that parks designed forcommunity needs in the 1960s may not beas relevant today, and that their quantity, aswell as quality, needs reassessment.

The vision for regional parks and trails isprovided by Melbourne’s open spacestrategy, Linking People and Spaces,prepared by Parks Victoria, but strategicguidance is needed for planning local anddistrict parks and their links with theregional network. The quality anddistribution of urban public open space willbe improved and protected for futuregenerations (see ‘The Parklands Code –urban open space principles’).

Initiatives5.6.1 Review mechanisms for strategic

open space planning in consultationwith open space managementagencies in light of the ParksVictoria strategy Linking Peopleand Spaces

5.6.2 Apply the open space planningprinciples set out in the ParklandsCode to guide decision-making onissues such as open spaceprotection and management

5.6.3 Establish a planning framework andguidelines relating to open spaceand sporting facilities at local anddistrict level

Public open space will be improved andprotected for future generations

5.6.4 Help local government to improvethe quality and distribution of localopen space by:

– researching changing communityattitudes and usage patterns

– providing advice on innovativepark design

– identifying opportunities toimprove provision in areasidentified as deficient

– developing strategies to maximisethe open space and conservationpotential of neglected or under-used areas such as some railwayland, cemeteries and schools

Direction


5

The ParklandsCode: urban openspace principlesTo sustain the benefits of open space into thefuture, and to support the broad strategiesand actions contained in Linking People andSpaces, the following metropolitan-wideguidelines are proposed for the planning andmanagement of open space. These objectivesrelate to the network of urban open spaceincluding regional parks, waterways, reservesthat have conservation and cultural value,coasts, and shared-use trails.

The government commits to these principlesfor urban open space that is controlled by theDepartment of Natural Resources andEnvironment and Parks Victoria located inMelbourne. Other managers of open spacesuch as local government will give dueconsideration to these principles for theirparklands.

Involving the community

Open space belongs to the community.Individuals and community groups shouldtherefore be encouraged to take an activerole in decision making for the network’sfuture. Open space managers shouldpromote this participation through openconsultation, especially when major changesto park management and use are proposed.Managers should also continue to supportcommunity involvement in planting,regeneration and conservation of natural andcultural values.

Transparent planning processes

To ensure clear understanding of themanagement objectives for parks, any majorurban park of an area of more than 100hectares should be covered by amanagement plan, whereby decision-makingframeworks and strategies for appropriateuses and developments are identified. Theaim of these plans should be to providelong-term strategic direction, and the plansshould be reviewed within a planned time

horizon. Either a management plan or anexplicit statement of management objectivesshould be developed for other urban parks.

To maximise broad-community access toopen space, any exclusive occupation ofparkland by community organisations shouldbe restricted to activities that are consistentwith the park’s management objectives.When proposals exist to use parkland in away that is inconsistent with managementplans or zoning, the outcome should bedetermined through proper processes underthe Planning and Environment Act 1987,whereby adequate opportunities areprovided for public objections to be heard.

Buildings and other infrastructure can beused to facilitate people’s enjoyment and useof open space. It is nonetheless important toensure that their provision is consistent withthe management objectives of the park andsubject to appropriate Planning Schemeprocesses.

Securing the future of open space

Appropriate zoning of open space is integralto its long-term security and Public Park andRecreation Zone or Public Conservation andResource Zone are the most applicablezonings for parkland purposes. The zoningshould be consistent with relevant manage-ment plans and objectives for the land,whereby conservation zoning is applied inorder to protect areas of high conservationvalue in which limited development of visitorfacilities is limited.

Large regional parks and significantconservation areas should be protectedunder legislation, ideally by beingpermanently reserved under the Crown Lands(Reserves) Act 1978.

Existing public land that immediately adjoinswaterways and coasts must remain in publicownership, and any developments throughwhich public access along stream banks orforeshores is prevented will not be permitted.When additional land is identified as being

critical to completion of open space links,through any proposed rezoning orsubdivision of land planners will seek toensure that the link is transferred to publicownership for open space purposes.

Changing land use

When proposals arise to change the land useof parkland, a decision should be made onlyonce the proposal has been exposed topublic scrutiny through processes under thePlanning and Environment Act 1987. If achange in land use or in the nature ofoccupation is to occur that will result in areduction of open space, the overall networkof open space should be protected by way ofaddition of replacement parkland of equal orgreater size and quality. Planners should alsoseek to ensure that areas that are atpresently under-supplied with parkland aregiven priority when new areas of parklandare being established.

Environmental and recreational value ofsurplus government land will be fullyevaluated before any decision is made on aproposal to sell land held by the Crown, agovernment department or a statutoryauthority.

Diversity

Urban open space should be used toaccommodate the needs and aspirations ofpeople of all abilities, cultures and ages. Asmuch as possible in parks, planners shouldprovide for nature conservation, recreationand play, formal and informal sport, socialinteraction, and peace and solitude.

Urban open space should include communitysports facilities in a way that is consistentwith other park activities. Users should enjoyaccess to sports areas when sportingactivities are not in progress.

Sites and features of high scientific, nature-conservation, biodiversity, heritage, geologicalor landscape value will be protected by wayof establishing appropriate reservations understate-government legislation.


POLICY 5.6

POLICY 5.7

Rectify gaps in the network ofmetropolitan open space bycreating new parks and ensuremajor open space corridors areprotected and enhanced

The metropolitan open space network

consists of:

• major urban parks, such as those inCentral Melbourne managed byMelbourne City Council

• National and State parks

• major (regional) parks managed byParks Victoria

• the Metropolitan Trail Network

• linear open space corridors includingwaterways

• areas of cultural and environmentalsignificance

• the coastal foreshores and waters ofPort Phillip Bay and Western Port.

While metropolitan Melbourne and thesurrounding region is noted for the quality ofits parks, there are gaps in the network ofparkland and it is unequally distributed.

Parks Victoria’s management responsibilitiesinclude major (regional) parks and strategicplanning responsibility for the linear openspace network. It gives funding assistance tolocal government for priority projects.Linking People and Spaces focuses onensuring equitable access in the developmentof major parks and trails, and on protectingand enhancing conservation values and sitesof significance. Melbourne 2030 supportsthis work.

Since 1988, some $34.6 million has beenspent acquiring 2,477 hectares of land forparks. The Government continues to acquireland designated for future parkland acrossMelbourne. Metropolitan ratepayers coverthe operating costs for metropolitan parks inthe urban parks levy. A further 969 hectaresof land is currently zoned for additions toexisting and developing parks.

Melbourne 2030 gives priority to developingopen space networks in growth areas whereexisting open space is limited and demand isgrowing, and in non-metropolitan parts ofthe region. This includes Melbourne’s west,north and south-east (see, ‘Western coastalparklands’ and ‘The Werribee precinct’).

Melbourne 2030 gives priority todeveloping open space networks in

areas where open space is limited anddemand is growing, as well as in

non-metropolitan areas

Direction


5

PORTPHILLIP

BAY

WESTERN PORT

Existing open spacenetwork

Future linkedparklands

Existing urban area

Urban growth boundary

Rivers

Regional parks under development

Committed futureregional parks

NORTH

0 20 km10

Dandenong

Pakenham

Lara

Werribee

DeerPark

MeltonBacchusMarsh

Sunbury

Greensborough

Ringwood

Hastings

Frankston

Mornington

Rosebud

Geelong

Ocean Grove

Figure 39. Regional public open space


Urban waterways, including the Yarra Riverand Maribyrnong River corridors, are highlysignificant assets in terms of their openspace, recreation, aesthetic, conservation andtourism values. Development on adjoiningprivate land will not compromise thesevalues. Earlier plans and planning controlsalong these corridors will be reviewed in thelight of increasing development pressures asMelbourne becomes a more compact city toensure their continued protection.

The lower Yarra River will be furtherdeveloped as the centrepiece of Melbourne’ssporting, entertainment and leisure activitiesin a major effort before the 2006Commonwealth Games.

POLICY 5.7

Initiatives5.7.1 Reserve land for six new metropolitan

parks to redress the currentimbalance and provide for futuregrowth areas:

– Werribee River Regional Park

– Werribee Township Regional Park

– Kororoit Creek Regional Park

– Merri Creek Regional Park

– Melton Township Regional Park

– Cranbourne Regional Park

5.7.2 Extend the ‘chain of parks’ conceptby creating four continuous openspace links and trails:

– Western Coastal Parklands (linkingPoint Gellibrand, Point Cook andWerribee)

– Merri Creek Parklands (extending toCraigieburn)

– Maribyrnong River Parklands

– Frankston Parklands (linkingexisting parks from Carrum toMornington)

5.7.3 Provide long-term planningprotection to meet demand forfuture open space, until land can beacquired and developed for publicuse in key areas that include:

– Plenty Gorge Parklands

– Yarra Valley Parklands

– Cardinia Creek Parklands

– Heatherton/Dingley ‘Sandbelt’Parklands

– Dandenong Valley Parklands

5.7.4 Strengthen current policies andreview the adequacy of planningcontrols relating to the Yarra andMaribyrnong Rivers to ensure thelong-term protection of open space,conservation values – with the first

priority being the Yarra Rivercorridor between Punt Road andBurke Road

5.7.5 Continue adding to the recreationaland tourism potential of the YarraRiver and Maribyrnong Rivercorridors by:

– completing high-priorityinfrastructure and landscaping forriverbank and water-basedactivities along the lower YarraRiver before the 2006Commonwealth Games

– identifying and completing highpriority infrastructure, landscapingworks and enhancement ofpedestrian and bicycle trail linksalong the lower MaribyrnongRiver

– completing links between theMain Yarra trail and Darebin andPlenty trails, the Maribyrnong trailand Bay trail at Williamstown, andconnecting the Yarra trail to theBay at Port Melbourne

Direction 5


Western CoastalParklandsThe Western Coastal Parklands will form acontinuous parkland and trail connectionfrom Point Gellibrand in Williamstown to theWerribee River.

Williamstown is an important maritimeheritage precinct framed by Hobsons Bay,Port Phillip and the Yarra River. TheGovernment will add to Williamstown’sreputation as a key recreational boating andtourism destination by:

• improving public access to the waterfrontand foreshore

• improving environmental managementand promoting the protection ofnatural habitats

• protecting areas of maritime heritage

• reusing historical buildings.

Key projects in the precinct include:

• development of new parks at therehabilitated former Altona tip andTruganina Explosives Reserve

• creation of a regional coastal heritagepark at Point Gellibrand that respects andconserves the site’s cultural heritagevalues and the coast

• redevelopment of the former Port ofMelbourne Authority Workshops site intoa working maritime heritage precinct as amajor new tourism attraction for Victoria

• reconstruction of Ferguson Street Pier,reopening the pier for public access

• upgrade of boating and visitor facilitiesat Gem Pier, providing a focus forcommercial ferry operators

• completion of gaps in the Bay trailbetween Williamstown and theWerribee River.

The Werribeeprecinct The Werribee precinct in metropolitanMelbourne’s western suburbs aims to createa tourist destination of regional, nationaland international importance, offeringexperiences that include:

• broadening the visitor appeal of thehistoric house and garden, WerribeePark, particularly through more culturalevents and exhibitions based aroundwine and food, art and sculpture, musicand popular entertainment

• creating a new 300-hectare regionalpark along the Werribee River andalong the coast to Point Cook that willprotect and enhance the highenvironmental and Indigenous culturalvalues of the precinct

• enhancing the precinct by meeting theneeds of one of Australia’s fastest-growing residential areas for access toregional open space

• providing pedestrian and cycling trailsto connect Werribee township toWerribee Park, and to fill a nine-kilometregap in the bay trail between WerribeeSouth and Point Cook

• protecting important Indigenous culturalsites along the Werribee River

• testing the potential for ecologicaltourism in the area of the WesternTreatment Plant which is already worldfamous for birdwatching and home tomyriad local and visiting bird species.


POLICY 5.7

POLICY 5.8

Improve the environmentalhealth of the bays and theircatchments

Port Phillip Bay is almost 2,000 square

kilometres in area and metropolitan

Melbourne has some 135 kilometres

of urban development adjacent to its

coast. Because Port Phillip Bay and the

smaller but more fragile Western Port

are critical recreational and economic

resources for Melbourne, care needs

to be taken to protect their environ-

mental health. Land use, land

management and activities that occur

within urban areas and on surround-

ing rural land determine the ecological

health of the bays and their

catchments.

The Government has recently passedlegislation to establish marine national parksand sanctuaries in Victoria, with four parksand two sanctuaries located in Port PhillipBay and Western Port.

Melbourne 2030 aims to reduce majorenvironmental pressures associated withurban growth and development within thecatchments of Port Phillip Bay and WesternPort. Urban development within the growthareas, particularly the Cranbourne-Pakenhamand Werribee corridors, needs to respond tothe high environmental sensitivities ofadjacent land and water, and protectsignificant natural assets including theinternationally recognised Ramsar sites.

The State Environment Protection Policy(SEPP) (Waters of Victoria) introduced aschedule applying to Western Port and itscatchment that aims to improve the naturalenvironment of the bay and provide forimportant human needs and activities. A companion SEPP for Port Phillip Bay was

declared in 1997, while the Port Phillip BayEnvironmental Management Plan addressesthe risk of nutrients entering the bay fromthe catchment.

The water quality of Port Phillip Bay isgenerally fair to good and it contains avibrant sea life with areas of kelp forest. A keythreat is the impact of exotic marine pestssuch as tube worms and Pacific starfish.

As is typical of urban waterways, the waterquality in the waterways leading to the baysis generally poor in the middle and lowerparts of the catchments. The limited trenddata available shows little measurableimprovement in water quality over the pastdecade. The Government will work to reducepressures on water quality from increasedsediments and other pollutants, emanatingmainly from construction sites and theconstruction phase of road development, inorder to improve the quality of stormwaterentering the waterways.

The aim is to reduce majorenvironmental pressures associated

with urban growth and development in the catchments of Port Phillip Bay

and Western Port

Direction 5


Drainage and flood-plain plans are preparedby waterway management authorities.Outside the Port Phillip Catchment and LandProtection (CALP) Board region – whichbroadly covers the area influenced byMelbourne 2030 – catchment managementauthorities have this responsibility.Melbourne Water is responsible for waterwayand floodplain management for most ofmetropolitan Melbourne, but not for all of it.Drainage and flood-plain planning andmanagement is inadequate in some existingurban areas and in parts of the designatedgrowth areas because 30 per cent ofwaterways in the Port Phillip and WesternPort region (excluding public land) do nothave a formal waterway managementauthority. Waterway managementarrangements for the whole of the PortPhillip Bay and Western Port catchments willbe reviewed to ensure effective drainage andflood plain management across the region.

In addition, an updated regional catchmentstrategy is being prepared by the Port PhillipCALP Board. A holistic approach will be usedin assessing the pressures that affect theecological health of the catchments,waterways and bays. With the Port PhillipBay Environmental Management Plan, thecatchment strategy will provide a blueprintfor action by industry, community andgovernment agencies in achieving sustainableland and water management. This blueprintwill be linked to the environmental initiativesin Melbourne 2030 and will complementthem.

Initiatives5.8.1 Adopt new statutory waterway

management arrangements forthose parts of the Port Phillip Bayand Western Port catchmentswithout a waterway managementauthority

5.8.2 Update the Port Phillip and WesternPort Regional Catchment Strategy

5.8.3 Complete land capability andnatural resource mapping for theregion, compile an inventory andprovide education and training tohelp local planning authorities usethis information for land-useplanning decisions

5.8.4 Implement plans for internationallysignificant Ramsar sites on the PortPhillip Bay western shoreline, theBellarine Peninsula and Western Port

5.8.5 Implement public programs toengage the community inprotecting the catchments and bays

5.8.6 Establish the four new marinenational parks (at Port Phillip Headsand in Western Port at Yaringa,French Island and Churchill Island)and two marine sanctuaries (atPoint Cook and Ricketts Point) inPort Phillip Bay and Western Port


POLICY 5.8

POLICY 5.9

Protect coastal and foreshoreenvironments, and improvepublic access and recreationalfacilities around Port Phillip Bayand Western Port

Residents and visitors alike enjoy the

environment, the recreational

opportunities and the lifestyle settings

of the Victorian coastline. The bays,

beaches and hinterlands are

commercially important, contain a rich

and diverse suite of plants and

animals, and are highly sought after

for residential living and for

recreation. However coastal

ecosystems are extremely complex

and sensitive to disturbance, such as

removal or loss of coastal vegetation

through development. Also,

recreational pressures allow invasive

weeds to become established and

cause erosion of dunes and cliffs.

Melbourne 2030 applies the same principlesfor coastal development that are set out inthe Victorian Coastal Strategy 2002. This willfocus development at discrete locations so that:

• the extent of settlements (activity nodes) isdefined

• areas between settlements remain largelyundeveloped

• the extent of recreation nodes is defined.

Directing coastal development to discretelocations is designed to:

• minimise the impact of use anddevelopment, and protect sensitive areas

• contain use and development to a limitednumber of locations

• define the scale of use

• establish boundaries for development areas

• manage development pressures

• provide a focus for facilities that relate tothe coast.

There are opportunities to improveMelbourne as a bayside city

Direction 5


Activity and recreation nodes are beingidentified in coastal action plans. This willhelp local councils to define the purpose andfunction of activity centres along the coast.

A relatively small proportion of the foreshoreis privately owned. These areas should bemanaged consistently with the adjoiningpublic land.

Melbourne’s open space strategy, LinkingPeople and Spaces, sets out priorities forimproving public access, including the trailnetwork around Port Phillip Bay. There areopportunities to enhance Melbourne’s role asa bayside city. Parks Victoria is alsodeveloping strategic directions for Port PhillipBay and Western Port, which will feed into awhole-of-government framework, ‘Bays forLife!’. Key recreational and tourism precinctswill be improved, as will facilities for boatingand cruising yachts.


NORTH

0 20 km10

PORTPHILLIP

BAY

WESTERN PORT

NORTH

0 20 km10

Mornington

Hastings

Rosebud

Cowes

NewhavenSan Remo

Frankston

Mordialloc

St Kilda

Werribee South

Geelong

Queenscliff

Sorrento

Torquay

Existing national parks and conservation reserves

Private land

Existing urban area

Urban growth boundary

Coastal recreation zone

Coastal protection zone

Source: Victorian Coastal Strategy, Vic Coastal Council, Jan 2002

Coastal recreation zoneAreas capable of sustaining recreational opportunities for large numbers of people. This zone should be managed to minimise impacts on remnant values and the coastal environment.

Coastal protection zoneAreas in relatively natural condition or which are significant for botanical, zoological, geological or geomorphological, archeological or historical reasons, including sites or fragile environments that are sensitive to modification. This zone should be managed to protect the natural values of the zone.The coastal zoning applies to coastal public land outside parks and conservation reserves, and does not prevent fishing in adjacent waters.Detailed prescriptive statements on activities that would be permissible or not permissible in these zones have been avoided to provide flexibility in onground management, and acknowledge the wide variety of local circumstances that are experienced in these locations.Recreation is an appropriate use in both Coastal Recreation and Coastal Protection Zones – it is the capacity for, and scale of associated development that will vary.Detailed local planning for individual coastal reserves, taking into account the broad directions of the coastal zoning, will be undertaken by local managers and will involve public consultation.

Figure 40. Indicative coastal land use

POLICY 5.9

In areas such as the Mornington Peninsula,there will be no expansion of existing urbanareas outside the urban growth boundary.Municipal Strategic Statements will reflectthe diverse characteristics of coastal urbanareas, and planning scheme provisions willensure that coastal developments areseparated to maintain the character ofsettlements along the coast.

Our coastal areas are particularly vulnerableto the potential impacts of climate changesuch as rises in sea level, more intense stormactivity and related storm surge events. Themost vulnerable coastal areas are low-lyingareas with small development setbacks.Current research on these potential impactswill pave the way for adaptive strategies.

Initiatives5.9.1 Implement the Victorian

Coastal Strategy 2002 formetropolitan Melbourne andthe surrounding region

5.9.2 Further improve maritime precinctsat key sites including Williamstownand St Kilda

5.9.3 Improve the appeal of Port PhillipBay as a cruising destination byupgrading boating facilities andinfrastructure at Patterson River, andcomplete a significant maintenanceprogram at Mornington

5.9.4 Ensure completion of the PortPhillip Bay trail between Mordiallocand Port Melbourne and betweenWilliamstown and Werribee (linkedby the punt service at Spotswood)

Direction 5


Melbourne 2030

POLICY 5.10

Maintain and developmetropolitan Melbourne as adesirable tourist destination

Melbourne is Victoria's primary tourist

destination. It is perceived as a most

desirable place to visit, as well as to

live. Tourism is one of the city's largest

and fastest-growing industries,

attracting more than 6.6 million

visitors each year and generating more

than $3.8 billion for the city's

economy.

Melbourne offers outstanding and well-developed accommodation, attractions andservices. Its destination status is firmlyestablished in terms of level of investmentand visitor numbers, and the breadth anddepth of its tourism assets is a significantpoint of difference. As the gateway toregional Victoria, Melbourne also gives anentrée to a host of further attractions.

The vision for further development ofMelbourne tourism is provided by theMarketing Melbourne Strategy withinVictoria's Tourism Industry Strategic Plan2002-06, prepared by Tourism Victoria. This builds on the characteristics of vibrancy,

innovation and a welcoming nature thatattract and delight tourists and also makeMelbourne a fine place in which to live anddo business.

Integrated planning is essential to ensurethat future development is consistent,sustainable, in keeping with communityaspirations and able to make the most of thepotential benefits of tourism activity.Melbourne's position as a sophisticated,vibrant, liveable, authentic and inclusivetourist destination will be strengthened bythe development of strategies that:

• encourage local, national and worldwideconnections and alliances

• revitalise the retail core

• nurture artistic and cultural life

• improve public facilities, amenities and access

• maintain city safety

• provide information and leisure services

• integrate communications systems

• improve transport infrastructure

• ensure efficient use of resources

• protect biodiversity.

Initiatives5.10.1 Implement the Marketing

Melbourne Strategy withinVictoria’s Tourism Industry StrategicPlan 2002 – 2006

Melbourne is both adestination for visitors

and a gateway toregional Victoria

direction 5 - planning · 2018-01-15 · direction 5 5.1 promote good urban design to make the...

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