Yarra City Council’s continued advocacy for more open space for our community is one step closer to being achieved.

After Council’s sustained advocacy efforts over a period of 18 months, the Independent Victorian Government Planning Panel has supported a change to the public open space contribution rate, that will allow Council to deliver more open space in Yarra.

Council’s Amendment C286yara proposed an increase to Yarra’s developer contributions to public open space from 4.5 per cent to 10.1 per cent. The panel has supported the Council’s request for a new rate of 8.65 percent which almost doubles the existing rate.  The new rate would also apply to commercial and industrial developments as well as residential subdivisions. 

Yarra City Council Mayor Cr Edward Crossland said Council welcomed the announcement and recognises what a significant step this recommendation is for the future of open space in Yarra. 

“Over the last 18 months, Yarra City Council has been working with the Victorian Government to grow the amount of public open space in our city,” he said.

“While we are disappointed that the Minister for Planning did not approve Council’s request for an interim public open space contribution rate, we hope the Minister will support the Panel’s recommendation for a new permanent contribution rate.”

“Only 13.5% of Yarra is open space. Our community relies on public open spaces like parks and gardens for their health and wellbeing, recreational and social needs,” he said.

“With a growing population and increasing density, it's important that we increase the amount of open space for our community, Mayor Crossland said.

Yarra’s Open Space Strategy clearly identifies the public open space needs of existing and future residents of Yarra, the gaps and the opportunities to address those gaps.

The new proposed rate still needs to be approved by the Planning Minister.