ad

Park plan out for comment

Park plan out for comment

By Jacklyn Yeong

City of Melbourne councillors have unanimously supported and approved the release of the draft Domain Parklands Master Plan for community engagement after a council meeting last month.

The master plan sets a foundation for council to make strategic decisions that would address issues such as population growth and climate change over the next 20 years for Southbank’s local parklands.

Beside preparing the parklands for a resilient and sustainable future, the master plan highlights the need to address aboriginal cultural heritage, improve visitor experience, redesigning bicycle lanes to avoid conflict between cyclists and pedestrians as well as collaborating with other land managers.

Council’s environment chair Cr Cathy Oke expressed her excitement about putting the plan to the community for feedback.

“It is a parkland for everyone and I think that a lot of the changes that are recommended really reflect that as well so I’m excited about what we hear in the next six weeks and how it may change,” she said.

“I look forward to the consultation online through Participate Melbourne and encourage everyone who’s interested in these parklands to get involved.”

Cr Oke said the council was also particularly keen to gain insights from the younger generation.

“There will be a specific facilitated process with young people and children as part of the six-week consultation process,” Cr Oke said. “Having the voice of young people is obviously important in all of that.”

The master plan also proposes changes to road space in Alexandra Ave in repurpose it into a cycle lane.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp emphasised the need to conduct trials before making changes to the road infrastructure.

“I think it’s important that we wait to see the further work that comes and what happens with those trials before there are other commitments made in terms of some hard infrastructure,” the Lord Mayor said.

“But overall, I’m a big fan, I’m definitely a supporter and I’m very excited and committed to being involved with how we actively pursue long-term plans for this very important precinct.”

The engagement period will run from August to September before being presented to the Future Melbourne Committee for approval in December.

To have your say and find out more information visit participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/domain

Join our Facebook Group
ad