The Parklands Code:
urban open space principles
To sustain the benefits of open space into the future,
and to support the broad strategies and actions contained in
Linking People and Spaces, the following metropolitan-wide guidelines
are proposed for the planning and management of open space.
These objectives relate to the network of urban open space including
regional parks, waterways, reserves that have conservation and
cultural value, coasts, and shared-use trails.
The government commits to these principles for urban open
space that is controlled by the Department of Natural Resources
and Environment and Parks Victoria located in Melbourne. Other
managers of open space such as local government will give
due consideration to these principles for their parklands.
Involving the community
Open space belongs to the community. Individuals and community
groups should therefore be encouraged to take an active role
in decision making for the network’s future. Open space
managers should promote this participation through open consultation,
especially when major changes to park management and use are
proposed. Managers should also continue to support community
involvement in planting, regeneration and conservation of natural
and cultural values.
Transparent planning processes
To ensure clear understanding of the management objectives
for parks, any major urban park of an area of more than 100
hectares should be covered by a management plan, whereby decision-making
frameworks and strategies for appropriate uses and developments
are identified. The aim of these plans should be to provide
long-term strategic direction, and the plans should be reviewed
within a planned time horizon. Either a management plan or
an explicit statement of management objectives should be developed
for other urban parks.
To maximise broad-community access to open space, any exclusive
occupation of parkland by community organisations should be
restricted to activities that are consistent with the park’s
management objectives. When proposals exist to use parkland
in a way that is inconsistent with management plans or zoning,
the outcome should be determined through proper processes
under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, whereby adequate
opportunities are provided for public objections to be heard.
Buildings and other infrastructure can be used to facilitate
people’s enjoyment and use of open space. It is nonetheless
important to ensure that their provision is consistent with
the management objectives of the park and subject to appropriate
Planning Scheme processes.
Securing the future of open
space
Appropriate zoning of open space is integral to its long-term
security and Public Park and Recreation Zone or Public Conservation
and Resource Zone are the most applicable zonings for parkland
purposes. The zoning should be consistent with relevant manage-ment
plans and objectives for the land, whereby conservation zoning
is applied in order to protect areas of high conservation
value in which limited development of visitor facilities is
limited.
Large regional parks and significant conservation areas should
be protected under legislation, ideally by being permanently
reserved under the Crown Lands (Reserves) Act 1978.
Existing public land that immediately adjoins waterways and
coasts must remain in public ownership, and any developments
through which public access along stream banks or foreshores
is prevented will not be permitted. When additional land is
identified as being critical to completion of open space links,
through any proposed rezoning or subdivision of land planners
will seek to ensure that the link is transferred to public
ownership for open space purposes.
Changing land use
When proposals arise to change the land use of parkland, a
decision should be made only once the proposal has been exposed
to public scrutiny through processes under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987. If a change in land use or in the nature
of occupation is to occur that will result in a reduction
of open space, the overall network of open space should be
protected by way of addition of replacement parkland of equal
or greater size and quality. Planners should also seek to
ensure that areas that are at presently under-supplied with
parkland are given priority when new areas of parkland are
being established.
Environmental and recreational value of surplus government
land will be fully evaluated before any decision is made on
a proposal to sell land held by the Crown, a government department
or a statutory authority.
Diversity
Urban open space should be used to accommodate the needs and
aspirations of people of all abilities, cultures and ages.
As much as possible in parks, planners should provide for
nature conservation, recreation and play, formal and informal
sport, social interaction, and peace and solitude.
Urban open space should include community sports facilities
in a way that is consistent with other park activities. Users
should enjoy access to sports areas when sporting activities
are not in progress.
Sites and features of high scientific, nature-conservation,
biodiversity, heritage, geological or landscape value will
be protected by way of establishing appropriate reservations
under state-government legislation.
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