Community comment sought on Open Space Strategy

Published on 19 April 2022

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Campaspe Shire Council has released a draft Open Space Strategy which is now open for community comment.

Mayor, Cr Chrissy Weller said the strategy aims to guide Council in the decision making process when planning, designing and maintaining its open space network and builds on the previous document developed in 2014.

“Our open spaces include parks and formal gardens, playgrounds, sporting and recreation reserves, paths and significant water assets on rivers and other waterways,” Cr Weller said.

“Open spaces provide social connections for people, a place to be physically active and have a connection to nature. Open space is an important part of making our townships liveable and an important part of our environment.”

Campaspe Shire manages more than 150 open spaces across the shire, supporting a range of informal and formal recreation activities. Community engagement completed last year as part of developing the long term vision for Campaspe highlighted community priorities as:

  • Being healthy and physically active
  • Having places for play and organised sport
  • Improving township landscapes
  • Having places for walking and cycling
  • Supporting a sense of place and local character
  • Developing partnerships with the community

The strategy supports ensuring our spaces provide a health and community benefit; are adaptable, accessible and connected; are sustainable; are developed in partnership with others; aim to protect and conserve our spaces; and meet the needs of the community.

“The document recognises the importance of play in an open space and the development of recent play spaces has shown the community’s interest in changing the way we think about play,” Cr Weller said.

“Play is transitioning away from the traditional playground equipment to a more diverse range of play opportunities, including the integration of nature play and accessibility.”

“This was a clear focus with the recently completed Rochester Play Space, developed in partnership with the community.”

The document also captures issues with connectivity, the environment and climate, the importance of health and wellbeing, providing quality spaces versus quantity, affordability, the Traditional Owners of the land, and how spaces are also used for economic activity.

“There are many challenges that impact the quality of our open spaces and the strategy aims to ensure they are provided to support the needs of today and for the future, are high quality, well connected and accessible to all,” the Mayor added.

The draft strategy is available on Council’s website with comments closing on Monday, 9 May. A quick online response form is provided to support feedback.