Curtain Square
Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Melway ref: 2B, J2
Situated amongst the Rathdowne Street shopping precinct, Curtain Square is a popular spot to relax and enjoy a coffee.
The extensive playground provides entertainment for the kids, while the shady surrounds are an ideal place to take a load off and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Features and facilities
Features and facilities include:
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- Toilets
- Shelter
- Playground
- Seating
- Basketball court
- Drinking fountain
- On street parking
- Dog-off lead area
Council to undertake possum fertility and tree conservation trial
In July and August 2011, Council sought community feedback on a proposed $160,000, two-year trial aimed at reducing the park’s possum population and reviving its unhealthy trees.
Here is a media release about Council's decision to put the proposed trial out for public consultation.
Community feedback was sought during July and August 2011 and considered by Council at its monthly meeting in September.
Council resolved to carry out a two-year trial which will contain a number of measures, as outlined below.
Funding for the trial is not expected to become available until the 2012-2013 financial year.
In the interim, Council will begin preparations to introduce a new local law to ban unauthorised public feeding of possums in Yarra parks.
Community consultation on the proposed new local law is expected to be carried out in the first half of 2012.
Council officers will also seek input and approvals from the Department of Sustainability and Environment on its Site Management Plan for Curtain Square, including the fertility control program.
More information on the proposed trial
The tasks outlined in the proposed trial were recommended by the Curtain Square Advisory Committee, a group (including animal interest groups, residents, ecologists and Councillors) set up by Council to find a solution to managing the ecology of Curtain Square.
The proposed trial would involve:
- fertility control of possums to limit breeding
- a Council-controlled possum feeding program to wean possums off public feeding
- the creation and enforcement of a local law to ban unauthorised feeding of possums
- additional banding of vulnerable trees to prevent possums from reaching the trees’ upper levels
- improved irrigation of trees and management of mulching, soil care, and pruning
- bi-annual surveys of the possum population and mature tree health
- new plantings to increase the variety and quantity of trees and vegetation in Curtain Square
- the possible removal of possum nesting box numbers to encourage diverse native wildlife.
The fertility control program would be conducted by qualified wildlife vets with permission from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and would most likely involve the use of hormonal implants to prevent possums reproducing.
The proposed trial actions are estimated to cost about $60,000 more over two years than it would cost to undertake culling of the possums. However, Council is not proposing to cull possums as concerns were raised by some committee members that culling would be an inhumane way to fix the problem.
The Draft Site Management Plan, the Committee's recommendations and the cost estimates for actions are available as Attachments 11.4.1, 11.4.2 and 11.4.3 on this page.
Background
In November 2009, Council adopted its 
Urban Wildlife Management Plan 2009 (2.91MB)
Part of that plan included working towards the creation of a new management strategy for Curtain Square.
The health of some trees in the park has been of concern for some time.
In late 2009, an aborist conducted a health assessment of the trees in Curtain Square.
That assessment identified six historically significant trees that were in poor health.
Possum overgrazing is believed to be one of the factors affecting the health of the trees.
A possum count conducted in early 2010 by consultants Ecology Australia found the density of possums in Curtain Square was more than three times higher than in any other park in Melbourne, and more than 10 times higher than in natural environments in the greater metropolitan region.
At its 19 October 2010 meeting, Council resolved to set up the Curtain Square Community Advisory Committee, to find agreed solutions to managing the park.
In the interim, Council banded six trees identified as being in poor health.
The bands were placed above known possum dens to avoid the need to relocate possums during the banding exercise.
At its July 2011 meeting, Council agreed to put the committee's recommendations out for community consultation.
For further information on this issue, please contact Joanna Bush, Coordinator - Open Space Projects, on 9205 5794 or at Joanna.Bush@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Accessibility
Curtain Square is wheelchair accessible, including an accessible toilet.
Location
View Larger Map
Further information regarding hiring of park facilities
Philip Nelson
Facilities and Events Liaison Officer, Civic Facilities
9205 5205
Philip.Nelson@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Further information regarding park maintenance
Jason Hocking
Coordinator - Open Space
9489 4588
Jason.Hocking@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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