Foreword:
Melbourne has outstanding parks, gardens and boulevards which contribute significantly to Melbourne being considered as one of the most livable cities in the world. We are privileged to have inherited these assets from our predecessors to use and enjoy. However, we also have a responsibility to manage them in trust and pass on to future generations an open space network that is in better condition and more responsive to community needs than it is today.
The Growing Green Environmental Sustainability Plan outlines a vision for Melbourne and its open space and recreational facilities in 2050 which is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. The City will consist of a web of interconnected communities with a strong culture of social justice, equity and open decision-making. It will have interconnected green open spaces accessible to residents and visitors alike. It will be greener, less dependent on cars, and with more trees throughout the City.
The green spaces, sporting facilities and trees will be managed in a more environmentally sustainable way with less water, energy and chemical inputs, i.e. having a smaller overall ecological footprint. Plantings will be more suited to Melbourne’s climate, yet the essential heritage attributes of the City’s historic parks, gardens and boulevards will be preserved.
Growing Green provides a framework for decision-making which will progressively move us to the 50-year vision.