Page 41 of 896 City of Melbourne Open Space Strategy Technical Report Page 42 of 896 City of Melbourne Open Space Strategy Technical Report Prepared by: Thompson Berrill Landscape Design Pty Ltd and Environment & Land Management Pty Ltd in association with: Professor Nigel Tapper, Monash University Dr Serryn Eagleston of EDGResearch June 2012 Explanatory note: This Open Space Strategy Technical Report provides the supporting technical research, analysis and detailed recommendations for the City of Melbourne Open Space Strategy (2012) CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 Page 43 of 896 Table of contents Page # 1. Introduction 1 1.1 The value of open space in the City of Melbourne 1 1.2 Strategy scope and purpose 5 1.3 Definition of open space 5 1.3.1 Introduction and background 5 1.3.2 Definition of open space for this strategy 6 1.3.3 Ancillary open space 6 1.3.4 Publicly accessible private open space 7 1.4 Vision and goals 8 1.4.1 Community vision and goals 8 1.4.2 How the open space strategy delivers these goals 8 2. Strategic context 10 2.1 The importance of open space to the community 10 2.2 Relevant City of Melbourne and Victorian Government policies and strategies 12 3. Open Space Framework 14 3.1 Standards for provision of open space 14 3.1.1 Overview 14 3.1.2 Various planning frameworks guiding the future provision of open space 15 3.2 Open space use hierarchy for the City of Melbourne 18 3.2.1 Overview 18 3.2.2 Hierarchy 18 3.2.3 Analysis of the hierarchy 20 3.2.4 Conclusions 22 3.3 Open space character classification 22 3.3.1 Overview 22 3.3.2 Character classification 22 3.3.3 Analysis of future provision of open space character types 24 3.3.4 Conclusions 24 4. Melbourne's existing open space network 26 4.1 Strengths of the existing open space network 26 4.1.1 Major parks and gardens 26 4.1.2 Waterways and harbours 30 4.1.3 Natural biodiversity values 32 4.1.4 Community recreational use and physical health 34 CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS-i Page 44 of 896 4.2 Quantity of open space 38 4.2.1 Municipality-wide 38 4.2.2 Open space quantity by precinct 40 4.3 Distribution 48 4.3.1 Overview 48 4.3.2 Accessibility 48 4.3.3 Analysis of the distribution of different types of open space 50 4.3.4 Gaps in open space distribution 58 4.3.5 Conclusions from the open space gap analysis 60 5. Key drivers for open space planning in the future 62 5.1 Introduction 62 5.2 Urban renewal areas and future change 63 5.2.1 Overview 63 5.2.2 Key issues 67 5.2.3 Conclusions 69 5.3 Capital city role 70 5.3.1 Overview 70 5.3.2 Key issues 72 5.3.3 Conclusions and future directions 74 5.4 Health and wellbeing 77 5.4.1 Overview 77 5.4.2 Key issues 78 5.4.3 Conclusions 82 5.5 Climate change 84 5.5.1 Overview 84 5.5.2 Key issues 84 5.5.3 Conclusions 89 5.6 Open space partnerships with the Victorian Government 89 5.6.1 Overview 89 5.6.2 Key issues 91 5.6.3 Conclusions 94 5.7 Open space contributions 95 5.7.1 Overview 95 5.7.2 Key issues 95 5.7.3 Conclusions 97 6. Municipal-wide recommendations 98 6.1 The role and purpose of different types of new open space 98 6.1.1 Overview 98 6.1.2 Additional Capital City open space 100 6.1.3 Additional Municipal open space 100 6.1.4 Additional Neighbourhood open space 101 CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS-ii Page 45 of 896 6.1.5 Additional Local and Small Local open space 102 6.1.6 Links between existing and new open space 103 6.2 Quality of existing and new open space 103 6.2.1 Overview 103 6.2.2 Health and wellbeing 104 6.2.3 Climate change 107 6.2.4 Biodiversity 108 6.2.5 Cultural heritage 109 6.3 Provision of additional open space 110 6.3.1 Assessment criteria for suitability of land as public open space 110 6.3.2 Sub-precinct analysis for additional open space 113 6.3.3 Methods to acquire/secure additional open space 113 6.4 Changes to forecast population and development over the strategy timeframe 113 6.4.1 Changes to forecast growth 113 6.4.2 Potential disposal of open space 114 6.5 Development interface with open space 115 6.5.1 Guidelines for development adjoining or nearby open space 115 7. Recommendations for precincts with urban renewal areas 118 7.1 Introduction 118 7.2 Carlton | Carlton North (City North) 119 7.3 Docklands 143 7.4 Flemington | Ascot Vale (Racecourse Rail Corridor) 162 7.5 Kensington (Arden Macaulay) 170 7.6 Melbourne, 3000 (City North) 185 7.7 North Melbourne (Arden Macaulay) 205 7.8 Southbank 229 7.9 West Melbourne (City North, E-Gate, Arden Macaulay, Dynon) 249 8. Recommendations for remaining precincts 279 8.1 Introduction 279 8.2 East Melbourne 280 8.3 Melbourne 3004(St Kilda Road) | South Yarra 296 8.4 Parkville 317 8.5 Port Melbourne 332 9. Implementation 341 9.1 Responsibilities 341 9.2 Funding 343 CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS-iii Page 46 of 896 9.2.1 Capital works 343 9.2.2 Land acquisition 343 9.3 Open space contributions 344 9.3.1 Value of annual contributions 344 9.3.2 Open space contributions framework 344 9.3.3 Contribution rate to be established 345 9.3.4 Anticipated value of future contribution 347 9.3.5 Land contributions 347 9.3.6 Demonstrated need for more open space as a result of subdivision 348 9.4 Priorities 350 9.5 Monitoring 351 References 352 List of strategy drawings Figure 1(a) Existing open space in the City of Melbourne 4 Figure 3(a) Open space hierarchy in the City of Melbourne 21 Figure 4(m) Gaps in open space distribution in the City of Melbourne 57 Appendices Appendix A Consultation Report on household survey outcomes completed during the research phase of the strategy Appendix B Report on the survey outcomes on the Draft Open Space Strategy CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS-iv Page 47 of 896 1. Introduction 1.1 The value of open space in the City of Melbourne The City of Melbourne is located on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation. For the Wurundjeri, Boonerwrung, Taungurong, Djajawurrung, and the Wauthaurong groups who form the Kulin Nation, Melbourne has always been an important meeting place for events, of social, education, sporting and cultural significance. The major open spaces in Melbourne were set aside at the time of European settlement from 1842 onwards on the outskirts of the central city (Hoddle Grid) as part of Governor La Trobe’s vision of a green belt of parks encircling Melbourne. They include Royal Park, Princes Park, Flagstaff Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Domain Parklands, Fawkner Park and Carlton Gardens. These larger original reserves are synonymous with the character of Melbourne, as are some of the more contemporary open spaces including Federation Square, Southbank Promenade and Birrarung Marr. Major festivals and events are held in Melbourne’s open space including Moomba and New Years Eve along the Yarra River, the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, cricket and AFL at the MCG and numerous other major sporting events that form part of Melbourne’s image and identity and contribute to the City of Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Diversity is a core strength and feature of open space in the City of Melbourne. This diversity ranges from historical gardens to expansive parks, major sporting reserves, local parks, smaller urban spaces, forecourts and unique squares within the municipality. The diversity of open space offers a variety of informal, CITY OF MELBOURNE OPEN SPACE STRATEGY TECHNICAL REPORT JUNE 2012 PAGE 1 Page 48 of 896 unstructured and organised sport and recreation opportunities for residents, workers and visitors alike. The waterways flowing through Melbourne include the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek. The Yarra River was one of the main reasons for the establishment of Melbourne, influencing the alignment of the Hoddle Grid and Melbourne’s layout. Early settlers modified the alignment, shape and natural values to suit land use changes, industrialisation and the growing city's needs. Today the Yarra River flows through the central city with linear open space to the both sides. It is highly valued and cherished, particularly the open space along the Yarra River which provides a unique setting and venue for characteristic Melbourne events including Moomba and the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The river is used regularly for rowing and other water-based sports like kayaking and also as s transport corridor for visitors to the city, particularly between the central city and the sports and entertainment precinct. The linear open space connects some of Melbourne's prominent open spaces including the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Tan, Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne Park, Olympic Park and the MCG.