Domain park master plan

The City of Melbourne is inviting the community to have its say on how the Domain Parklands should be managed over the next 20 years.

For decades the Domain Parklands have been the jewel in the crown of Melbourne’s garden spaces and Southbank’s key public open space.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the City of Melbourne was working with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Government House and the Arts Centre to prepare a master plan for the Domain Parklands.

“The Domain Parklands were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2013 and are more than 150 years old: they encapsulate some of Victoria’s most treasured green spaces,” he said.

“The previous master plan was developed in 1997. Since then our city has experienced drought, significant growth in visitation to the Shrine and Royal Botanic Gardens, an increase in events and growth in residential areas adjacent to the parklands.”

“It’s time to create a new, cohesive master plan to guide the design and use of these wonderful green spaces into the future,” he said.

The Domain Parklands is 123 hectares in size and the City of Melbourne manages or provides services to 58 hectares of land surrounding and connecting iconic destinations including: Alexandra Gardens, Alexandra Park, Queen Victoria Gardens, Kings Domain, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Royal Botanic Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance Reserve and Government House.

Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio, Cr Arron Wood, said the review would also consider the horticulture, plantings and garden design within the parklands.

“The sites we manage within the parklands contain more than 2700 exotic and Australian native trees representing 242 individual species,” Cr Wood said.

“Major celebrations and commemorations such as White Night and Moomba are also held in Domain Parklands. We will consider how these important community events can be balanced with sustainable management of the parkland.”

This is a truly unprecedented chance for the community to have their say in the future of Melbourne’s most renowned piece of greenery.

For more information on how you can get involved visit: participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/domain