A public open space (POS) strategy empowers the local government to provide robust guidance and feedback on structure plan and subdivision proposals.
Quality public open space networks contribute to the health and wellbeing of communities. They:
The demands upon our open space networks are diverse and competition amongst them has, in recent years limited the capacity of networks to meet community sport and recreation needs.
For more background information please see Appendix 1 - Research, Consultation and Identified Key Challenges.
The State, through the Liveable Neighbourhoods Operational Policy, has placed some responsibility with Local Government to guide open space decision making and the new Draft Liveable Neighbourhoods Policy 2015 further emphasises this position.
It is via local open space strategy and policy that the greatest impact on open space provision can be achieved. Open space policies and strategies have the capacity to guide how public open space is distributed to establish and protect a parkland network which enhances sense of place, ensures a balanced provision of sport, recreation and nature functions, retains significant environmental and cultural features; and realises opportunities for achieving efficiencies and sharing of infrastructure.
Local government public open space strategic planning provides local government with the opportunity to:
The strategy should be:
Developing a POS strategy requires a systematic approach that identifies all aspects of a Local Government activity that impacts provision of POS.
Characteristics of an effective POS Strategy:
Steps 1-8 outline a process for developing a POS strategy:
Continue to Step 1 – Committing to Action