Insights

Public open space contributions in Victoria: A preferred approach

Posted February 21, 2024

Author(s):

Jo Noesgaard, Marcus Spiller

Sectors:

Open Space

Types:

Local government
State government

SGS Economic and Planning Public Open Space Melbourne

Access to public open space could fall by around 25 per cent over the next two decades across Melbourne.

In their latest paper, SGS Economics and Planning Principals, Dr Marcus Spiller and Jo Noesgaard argue that the city needs a better approach to calculating the public open space needed for residents. With a lack of state government direction on open space contribution rates, we will likely see a decline in access to open space as the city’s population grows.

With the increasing impacts of climate change and the rapid densification of Australian cities, providing public open space (POS), such as parks and sports reserves, is vital for sustainable and healthy communities. Co-author of the paper, and Principal and Partner at SGS, Dr Marcus Spiller, points out:

Melbourne’s acclaimed liveability is underpinned by abundant greenspaces. These will be key assets as we adapt to a changing climate. So, it’s worrying that we do not have an adequate funding model for the expansion of municipal parks and gardens in line with population growth.
— Dr Marcus Spiller, Principal and Partner

Of those Metropolitan councils that have a contribution rate, the majority are around five per cent or lower. In other words, five per cent of developable land (residential, commercial, industrial) in these councils is required to be set aside for POS, or the financial value provided to council as a cash contribution.

Spiller and Noesgaard argue that if there is not a substantial increase in this average contribution rate across Melbourne, access to POS could fall by 25 per cent over the next 20 years.

This paper provides a method for strategically calculating POS contributions. The calculation method sees the municipality as one planning unit, and the contribution obligation being distributed across all development regardless of timing or land use type.

It uses a standards based approach, which in the authors’ view, ensures communities will have appropriate quantity, quality and proximity to open space.

As with any other form of infrastructure, we need quantitative sufficiency standards for the provision of public open space if communities are going to have reasonable assurance that they will get the greenspaces they need. Thirty square metres per head is a fair standard. It has a long history of application in Victoria, dating back to measured recreation needs in the 1954 plan prepared by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. It aligns with standards in international use, and it reflects the current average provision of municipal open space across our metropolitan municipalities.
— Dr Marcus Spiller, Principal and Partner

The potential 25 per cent decrease in access to public open space in Melbourne over the next two decades highlights the urgent need for better planning and funding.

Dr Marcus Spiller and Jo Noesgaard's assessment of the lack of government guidance on open space contribution rates raises a significant challenge in maintaining essential greenspaces amidst climate change and urban growth.

With local governments managing most open spaces, their proposed approach prioritises ensuring communities have enough nearby green areas. To preserve Melbourne's livability and foster healthy, sustainable communities, it's crucial to protect and expand public open spaces with evidence-based strategies and funding.