Significance:

The “Green Wedges “ are rural areas radiating from City of Melbourne. Designated rural/non-urban areas, they are generally beyond the urban growth boundary but fall within the Melbourne Metropolitan area as defined in the Planning Scheme. The term also covers major public open spaces radiating out from Melbourne.

Melbourne’s Green Wedges are aesthetically significant, and are also historically significant as a component of planning for the City of Melbourne since the mid twentieth century.  Their purpose is to provide the ‘lungs for the city’, allowing city residents access to a rural environment for enjoyment  and recreation. Essential qualities are their very low residential density, maintaining a green landscape, and protection of the visual aspects of the rural environment, including fields and trees. 

Statement of Risk:

Melbourne’s Green Wedges are an irresistible attraction to developers, who see in them the opportunity to make large profits from commercial residential developments in attractive rural settings.  The recent outcry of housing affordability has resulted in government fast-tracking land releases within the Urban Growth Boundary, putting further pressure on extending those boundaries into sensitive rural landscapes. In a Green Wedge zone south of Melbourne on the former Ansett Estate at Mount Eliza, two new building blocks have been approved, but there are many major subdivisional developments proposed well beyond the boundary.

Degree of Risk:       At risk – no solution agreed

Threats/Risks:        Destruction                 

Fate/outcome:         Surviving

Desired Outcome / Vision:

There is a need to find ways to ensure  a bipartisan and enduring agreement to implement green wedge policies. Policies outlined in Melbourne 2030 need to be rigorously and consistently endorsed, and there needs to be a bipartisan acceptance that these policies will continue to be applied into the future regardless of any changes of government.