Policies and initiatives > Direction 2. Better management of metropolitan growth > Policy 2.4

Policy 2.4 - Protect the green wedges of metropolitan Melbourne from inappropriate development

The 12 non-urban areas that surround the built-up urban areas of metropolitan Melbourne and are outside the urban growth boundary are known as green wedges.

They are an important legacy of past metropolitan planning. Most of them lie between the ‘fingers’ of urban growth that follow the major transport corridors. The green wedges accommodate agricultural and recreational uses, as well as a variety of important functions that support Melbourne. These include major assets such as airports, sewage plants, quarries and waste disposal sites – uses that support urban activity but which cannot be located among normal urban development.

The green wedges include areas that have strong environmental and landscape value for Victorians - many of which are of State, national or even international significance. They provide important resources for recreation and tourism. The significance of areas such as the Dandenong Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula has been recognised in the planning system for years. This will now be strengthened and protection extended to all green wedges.

Melbourne 2030 will protect the green wedges for non-urban uses and encourage proper management of these areas. Each green wedge has unique features and will require a tailored management approach to promote and encourage its diversity (see ‘Metropolitan green wedges – key features and related values’).

Within the urban growth boundary Melbourne has an extensive network of parks and open space, mainly managed by local councils and Parks Victoria. Historically, many of these parks have been developed along the major rivers and creek valleys and, in the past 20 years, an extensive network of trails has been built to connect them.

A number of these creek valleys lead into the green wedges beyond the city but it is important to understand the distinction between urban open space and the non-urban green wedges beyond the city perimeter. Green wedges are not another type of park. They are active, living areas that include agriculture and many other non-urban activities.

For more information on open space within the urban growth boundary, see Policies 5.6 and 5.7.

The Government is committed to providing better protection for green wedges through tougher planning controls over use and development, the introduction of the urban growth boundary, changes to planning provisions and changes to legislation. The Government will work with local councils and the community to properly plan, manage and protect these areas.

Parts of the green wedges that are adjacent to designated growth areas may be included in future in the urban area (that is, be within the urban growth boundary). However, this will only occur if growth area development plans demonstrate that this is necessary and desirable.

The green wedges include the rural areas and small communities around Melbourne that make significant contributions to the Victorian economy and to society.

In terms of value of agricultural production, for instance, the Port Phillip region is the second highest in the State. Its planning and management will recognise that contribution, with protection for important productive agricultural areas such as Werribee South, the Maribyrnong river flats, the Yarra Valley, Westernport and the Mornington Peninsula.

Small communities that are located in the green wedges will have restricted development opportunities. Settlements in these areas will be allowed to expand only to the extent indicated in current Municipal Strategic Statements. In future, change in the amount of urban zoned land will only be allowed if there is no adverse impact on the role and features of the green wedges. Local councils will be encouraged to consider the possibilities for urban intensification within their existing urban areas, subject to environmental and servicing constraints, rather than adding to the total urban area.

Rural living development, if permitted at all, will be subject to more stringent requirements as set out in Policy 3.2.

Melbourne’s non-urban areas also include significant stone, sand and other mineral resources, upon which urban infrastructure depends. These resources will continue to be protected for extraction subject to environmental requirements.

Major transport facilities that are located in rural areas but serve the wider Victorian community, such as airports, ports and their associated access corridors, will be planned and protected as necessary for long-term use. Areas under major flight paths have been included in the green wedges to ensure that urban development does not limit future use of Melbourne’s major airports.

Initiatives

Metropolitan green wedges – key features and related values