Living Links

Urban Landscape Connectivity Master Plan

Project 3 Consultants Brief (July 2011)

Expressions of Interest are invited from appropriately-credentialed consultancies or consortiums to undertake Living Links Master Plan Project Three.

Project history o A consortium comprising Spatial Vision and Beca P/L was appointed in late 2008 to undertake Project One of the Living Links Master Plan (Asset Identification and Analysis), and this was successfully completed in July 2009.

o In January 2010, a consortium comprising Urbis, Sykes Consulting and Eco Logical Aust. undertook Project Two of the Master Plan, ‘Corridor Identification’- and this phase was completed in October 2010. The output of Project Two is a published Discussion Paper proposing 13 potential corridors of connectivity accompanied by 85 recommendations for further investigation towards their implementation.

This call for Expressions of Interest seeks proposals for Living Links Master Plan Project Three in the context of what was achieved in Projects One and Two. This brief includes some detail of Projects One and Two outcomes. A copy of the Project Two Discussion Paper ‘Corridors of Connectivity’ is available in hard copy on request, or can be requested in soft copy via ‘You Send It’ from the Living Links Program Coordinator [email protected] or phone 0437 199935. We strongly advise applicants to review the discussion paper in detail before submitting proposals to this brief.

Expressions of Interest must be received by Close of Business Wednesday 3 August, 2011

1. INTRODUCTION

Living Links is a large-scale environmental improvement program in ’s south-east. It is facilitated by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA), and is supported by ten municipal councils, several government agencies (including Melbourne Water, South East Water and Parks ) and community organisations (including Bushwalking Victoria, Bicycle Victoria and the First Friends of Dandenong Creek).

The supporting Councils which cover the project area in the south-east of Melbourne are the , , City of Maroondah, , , City of Greater Dandenong, Knox City Council, Bayside City Council, Yarra Ranges Council and Frankston City Council.

Living Links aims to continue to build collaboration embodied in a Master Plan to sustain a world-class ecosystem in the urbanised and industrialised landscapes between the foothills of the Dandenongs and the coast of Port Phillip Bay. The earlier phases of the project have already identified the important natural, social, cultural and recreational assets in the region. The Master Plan will identify opportunities to protect and connect them - to make them more functional habitats for wildlife, and more accessible areas for people to enjoy. The Master Plan will guide planners in all agencies towards opportunities to keep nature accessible to people as they lay the framework for developing this environment over the next 15-20 years.

The major challenge for Living Links is to achieve an integrated open space planning approach in an environment that is managed by more than a dozen separate planning authorities and very many land managers – state authorities, local governments, local community-based agencies and individuals – many of whom are expected to support actions that would lead to a denser population in this region.

Living Links Master Plan Project 3 – Corridor Planning Consultants Brief July 2011 1 Living Links believes the Master Plan for this region will be an effective way to protect and connect open space and natural assets at a landscape/regional scale. The aim is to create a Master Plan with the status of an influential regional strategic plan that has buy-in from strategic planners in the councils and many NRM agencies in the region. Living Links is actively supported by a Steering Committee representing its major stakeholders. It is now in its seventh year and maintains its partners' support. Partner organizations make annual financial contributions to the Living Links program coordination and towards Master Plan development. Completion of the Master Plan is the program’s main focus in 2011-2012.

The Living Links Discussion Paper – ‘Corridors of Connectivity’ (completed in October 2010) proposes 13 priority corridors of focus for linear connectivity of natural areas and open space in a developed urban landscape. These 13 corridors were identified from data collated in Project One, and their suitability was confirmed in consultation with Living Links partner agencies throughout Project Two.

The 13 focus corridor areas may typically feature a full range of land tenures, competing land use priorities, various land values and zonings, and pressures for rezoning to accommodate new residential, commercial and industrial developments. A Master Plan is needed to help embed the collective resolve to maintain and exploit these ‘Living Links’ opportunities and protect the natural, cultural, recreational and social assets they contain.

On behalf of Living Links partners, the PPWCMA seeks to engage a consultant to proceed with Project Three of the Living Links Master Plan project. This entails further assessing each corridor and potentially other corridors in consultation with a range of relevant agencies and stakeholders. The successful consultants will explore the feasibility of the strategies and actions identified in the Master Plan Discussion Paper, and generate collaborative project plans and recommend appropriate governance structures to develop the most realistic and achievable Living Links corridors.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Master Plan Project One Outcomes (Project One completed in 2009)

The Living Links Master Plan Project One established a method for objectively assessing the relative significance of the various assets in the program region. It applied a grid of standard ‘landscape units' across the program area. Each landscape unit was represented graphically on a grid of squares, each 250 metres by 250 metres (or 6.25 hectares).

The application of this grid of 14,503 landscape units over a map of the project area, enabled consistent and objective assessment of the relative significance of each landscape unit based on the presence / absence of natural, cultural, social or recreational assets. A further weighting formula was also applied, assigning a ‘significance' value for each asset group (ie. natural, social, cultural or recreational).

The ‘landscape unit grid' and ‘weighting formula' enabled landscape significance to be mapped across the region, based on the number and weighting of assets identified in each grid square.

It provided a clear and transparent method to negotiate with planning agencies and funding bodies the most strategic and beneficial locations for investment in developing and connecting open space corridors in a complex urban setting.

2.2 Master Plan Project Two Outcomes

Living Links Master Plan Project Two (completed in October 2010) used the raw data, and a library of knowledge and mapped assets from Project One to analyse the relative merits of around 25 potential Living Links corridors. It focused on areas that represent the best opportunities to bridge gaps in what is in some parts a fairly well-connected and accessible landscape featuring many significant off-road shared paths and trails.

Further, more detailed analysis of the 25 corridors reduced the list of priority corridors down to 18 and then through consultation with Living Links stakeholder agencies, a final selection of 13 Living Links corridors was agreed as most appropriate to pursueas part of the Master Plan. These 13 corridors are the subject of detailed analysis in the Living Links Corridors Discussion Paper – ‘Corridors of Connectivity’.

Living Links Master Plan Project 3 – Corridor Planning Consultants Brief July 2011 2 The Discussion Paper is available in hard copy or electronically on request from the Living Links Coordinator on 03 8781 7946 or 0437 199935. The Discussion Paper identifies each proposed Living Links corridor on a series of maps which highlight: • the attributes and features that make each area a corridor of focus; • the feasibility of establishing each corridor as a ‘living link’ in terms of identified opportunities and constraints, • some of the many authorities and organizations which may need to be involved in negotiations to exploit the opportunities and address the constraints, and • the recommended strategies and actions within the corridors which have been suggested by stakeholder organizations as necessary to finalise and implement the Living Links Master Plan.

2.3 The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA)

The PPWCMA is a statutory authority that operates under legal, policy and governance requirements outlined in various documents. The key strategic functions of the Authority are defined in the Catchment and Land Protection Act (1994.) They include:

• Preparing the Regional Catchment Strategy, and coordinating and monitoring its implementation; • Promoting cooperation in the management of land and water resources; • Advising on regional priorities and resource allocation; • Advising on the condition of land and water resources; • Advising on matters relating to catchment and land protection; • Promoting community awareness and understanding of the importance of land and water resources, their sustainable use, conservation and rehabilitation.

The PPWCMA has played a lead role in instigating Living Links and acts as its “host’ in regard to its resourcing, funding and governance.

3. THE LIVING LINKS REGION

Situated in Melbourne’s south-east the Living Links area is nominally defined by the water catchment of the Dandenong Creek and its tributaries, although in reality this ‘waterway definition’ is largely compromised by Melbourne’s stormwater management system. St Kilda and Kilsyth in the north and Cranbourne and Frankston in the south are the extremities of the project area.

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Significant commercial and industrial development in recent years has seen this area become one of the strongest economic regions in , and the vibrant business centre of Victoria. It is home to approximately half of Victoria’s manufacturing sector and hosts more than a quarter of Victoria’s businesses which support a qualified, experienced and rapidly growing workforce.

The demands of economic development, and serving the needs of resident population of over 1.1 million has come at a cost to the local environment’s natural assets. Fragmentation of many natural areas has occurred, placing significant pressure on some of the most attractive and accessible remnant native vegetation across metropolitan Melbourne. The region still hosts natural features of regional, national and international significance, including foothill forests, large parks, tree-lined roadsides, bush blocks, meandering creeks, reedy wetlands and coastal foreshores - but some of these are disconnected and under continuous development pressure.

Several recreation facilities, open space and natural areas along the Dandenong Creek, including Jells Park, Shepherd’s Bush and the Bushy Park Wetlands are well connected by a substantial network of high- quality nature trails, shared bicycle and walking paths. But other major areas such as Braeside Park, Lysterfield Park, Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens and the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands are relatively isolated from one another – other than via the major road network.

4. PROJECT OUTLINE AND CONTEXT

The Living Links Master Plan aims to enhance and define a collaborative approach amongst many organisations as they shape future urban and natural environments. It will help to set standards for, and attract the most sustainable 21 st century investments and development.

Key objectives of the overall Master Plan Project are to:

• Provide a diverse range of corridors that meet a variety of needs – from environmental protection to recreational, cultural and social needs; • Provide connectivity solutions to help maintain and improve native flora and fauna, and establish appropriate corridors for all members of the community; • Provide a series of corridors that create certainty about the future of the region whilst retaining sufficient flexibility to alter aspects of the plan as natural, cultural, recreational or social conditions change over time; • Provide a ‘living’ plan that is flexible, adaptive and easily maintained and updated as necessary in the future.

In order to be a ‘living’ plan, the Master Plan may take the form of a website or alternative innovative formats. Proposals regarding the form of the Master Plan are invited as part of the consultants’ submissions. The completed Master Plan will recognise that corridors differ in their structure and function depending on their location within the landscape. It is anticipated the Master Plan will establish corridors that meet one, or a combination of the following:

• Connect isolated and fragmented patches of native vegetation and encourage the movement of native fauna through the landscape, providing animals with shelter, food and protection from predators. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and insects, otherwise ‘locked’ in one patch of native vegetation, may more safely move more easily between patches.

• Provide connectivity between sites of cultural heritage (Aboriginal and European) scattered across Melbourne’s south east thereby enhancing the cultural heritage of the area. Provide the community with a greater understanding of, and respect for the customs and rich heritage of the local aboriginal groups.

• Provide connectivity between sporting facilities, public open spaces, parks and picnic areas. Each of these ‘corridor’ areas can be used as a means of getting to a particular destination off-road, or as a recreational or social experience unto itself. Walking, running, off-road cycling, picnics and barbecues are examples of recreation and social activities that may be accommodated in these corridors.

• Explore opportunities for links that extend to major assets immediately beyond the defined ‘Living Links’ project area boundaries where appropriate.

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The Living Links Master Plan Discussion Paper – ‘Corridors of Connectivity’ – was developed with a view to being a major platform for negotiation with government and non-government agencies and organisations to develop the Final Master Plan. The discussion paper will be the basis for comprehensive consultation with multiple agencies. It will help further refine collective views into an achievable Master Plan that will help guide sustainable development in Melbourne’s south-east over future decades.

We want submissions to explain your vision and ideas of Master Plan form and content that will set the project up for decades of implementation.

5. REQUIRED OUTPUTS FOR PROJECT THREE

PROJECT THREE – FINAL MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT (approx. 9-12 months)

Using the Living Links Corridors Discussion Paper develop a project management framework for Timeframes for each of the designated Living Links corridors which together will comprise a completed Living Links each part of the Master Plan. project to be negotiated with This will entail: the successful Consultants • Further investigating identified opportunities and constraints in (or in the vicinity of) the mapped concept corridors, for ways to exploit the identified opportunities and address the identified constraints • Advising on the achievability of each recommended actions in the discussion paper and the overall viability of the corridor, and finalise priority project lists for each corridor • Communicating with key stakeholders identified in the ‘Corridors of Connectivity Consultation Report’ (a sister document to the Discussion Paper), and engaging them via a range of appropriate methods to further pursue and plan the projects on the list and negotiate in-principal roles and responsibilities with relevant agencies and organisations for each action • Establishing collaborative governance structures by negotiating accountability for roles and tasks so that LL Master Plan implementation is a recognised component of strategic planning in the region. • Developing timeframes for a program of initiatives and works that will achieve each action or group of related actions in each corridor in a logical priority sequence to optimise collaborative impetus and benefits such as economies of scale where possible.

6. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Living Links Master Plan Project Three will be managed on a day-to-day basis by the Living Links Coordinator and will be supported by the Master Plan Project Control Group (PCG) comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Bushwalking Victoria, and .

The role of the Project Control Group is to advise, manage and monitor the consultant’s progress and direction of the project. The PCG will report to the Living Links Steering Committee on the progress of the master plan development at each meeting.

The appointed consultant will report to the Project Control Group via the Living Links Program Coordinator:

Living Links Coordinator Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority Level 1, Landmark Corporate Centre 454 Nepean Hwy FRANKSTON 3199 Ph. 03 8781 7946 Mobile: 0437 199935 Fax: 03 9781 0199 Email: [email protected]

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7. PROJECT BUDGET AND PAYMENT

The budget for Living Links Master Plan Project Three is a maximum of $200,000 and is to cover all consultant costs associated with the completion of this project.

Progress payments will be made to the successful consultant as follows: o 20% on presentation of a comprehensive scoping document which details indicative project tasks, timeframes, processes and costs for each component of the project o 20% payment on satisfactory completion of a comprehensive achievability assessment of the recommendations in each corridor o 20% payment on presentation of project management plans for each recommended ‘corridor project’ (or agreed logical grouping of projects) that will be included in the final Master Plan to be presented to the Living Links Committee for comment o The final 40% payment on completion of the Living Links Master Plan document in appropriate formats to be negotiated, and accompanied by a distribution and promotional plan.

The consultants are required to ensure that they are fully aware of the requirements of the project and the work involved. As such, the consultant should request any additional information to assist in submitting a tender and accurately pricing the tender submission.

8. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT

Documents supplied by the Principal The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the Intellectual Property in all documents, information, manuals, drawings, computer programs and other information supplied to the Consultant by the Principal remains, as between the Principal and the Consultant, vested in the Principal; and

It must not reproduce or use the documents referred to in the above paragraph for a purpose other than the provision of the Services without the prior written approval of the Principal.

The Consultant must return to the Principal all documents, data, drawings, computer programs and other information or things supplied by the Principal to the Consultant, including all copies made or procured by the Consultant, upon the expiry or termination of this Agreement or at such earlier time as may be required by the Principal.

Deliverables etc prepared by the Consultant The Intellectual Property in all Deliverables and all documents, data, drawings, computer programs and other information or things prepared by the Consultant as part of the Services becomes the property of and vests in the Principal immediately upon their creation. To the extent the beneficial ownership of any Intellectual Property is vested in anyone other than the Consultant, the Consultant must use its best endeavours to procure that the beneficial owner will assign to the Principal such Intellectual Property and must, to the extent that such beneficial ownership is not attainable, grant or cause to be granted a non-exclusive license to the Principal for the use of any such Intellectual Property for the purposes of the Project and any future use, alteration or adaptation of it.

Consultant's Licence to Use Documents To the extent it is necessary to enable the Consultant to perform the Services in accordance with this Agreement, the Principal grants to the Consultant a revocable, non-exclusive, and transferable licence to use any Intellectual Property in the Deliverables and all documents, data, drawings, computer programs and other information or things prepared by the Consultant as part of the Services. The license granted by this clause 32.2 expires on the completion of the Services or the termination of this Agreement, whichever occurs first.

Moral rights The Consultant must procure from any of its employees or agents that contribute to the production of any Deliverable or other documentation under the Agreement ( Author ) a consent addressed to the Principal to the following effect:

Living Links Master Plan Project 3 – Corridor Planning Consultants Brief July 2011 6 That the Author represents and warrants to the Principal that the Author is aware that pursuant to Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 that he or she may have moral rights in a work of which he or she is the author, including: a right to attribution of authorship; a right not to have authorship falsely attributed; and a right to integrity of authorship. Aware of his or her moral rights the Author consents to the Principal and any of the Principal's employees, agents, contractors or consultants doing an act or making an omission which may infringe a moral right in a work with respect to the Project of which he or she is the author.

9. SUBMISSIONS

The Master Plan Project Control Group will evaluate submissions from consultants and provide recommendations to the Living Links Steering Committee. The Living Links Steering Committee will decide on the successful consultant, based on the recommendation of the PCG.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Wednesday 3 August, 2011. We anticipate evaluating the submissions, shortlisting and interviewing potential project consultants in mid-August with a view to appointing the successful consultant by late August 2011.

Consultants should submit an Expression of Interest addressing the project brief that includes the following:

• An outline of the proposed method to be used to complete Project 3 as described in this brief. • An estimated outline of what the consultant will require in terms cooperation (resources and time) from each partner organisation. • An outline of the proposed timetable for completion of the project and its component tasks within a period of approximately twelve months from project start. • The names, qualifications, skills, expertise and experience of each person on the consultant team for this project. • Summaries of similar projects undertaken by the consultant, including client referee contact details. • Total lump sum (including GST) for the project, and a breakdown of costs for developing the project (including all costs). • A completed tender application form. Refer to Schedule 1. • Other relevant details that demonstrate the consultant’s understanding of the project and suitability to undertake it. • Confirmation of the respondent’s availability to undertake the project within a twelve month timeframe in 2011/12.

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SCHEDULE 1 TENDER APPLICATION FORM

PROJECT #:

PROJECT TITLE: LIVING LINKS MASTER PLAN PROJECT TWO

I/We the undersigned, hereby express an interest to undertake, carry out and complete the services under the terms and conditions of the Consultants Agreement and to supply all required materials and labour at the value stated below for the duration of the contract.

I/We acknowledge that in undertaking any investigation or work, and submitting a tender for the services detailed in the Consultant Agreement, I/we are doing so only in the hope of a chance of entering into a Contract with the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority,

Dated this ______day of ______20__.

Full name of Tenderer:

______

______

Registered address:

______

______

Office Number/s: ______Fax Number:______

If a company, the name and home address of the Senior Partner/Executive Officer:

______

______

______

______

Name and position of the person submitting the Tender for and on behalf and with the authority of the Tenderer:

Name: ______

Position: ______

Office Number: ______Fax Number: ______

Mobile Number: ______

Email Address: ______

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Postal Address of Tenderer: ______

______

Amount of Tender for Services:

(In words) ______

In dollars: $______

Signature of person submitting the Tender: ______

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