The City of Whittlesea is one of Melbourne’s largest and fastest growing municipalities. We have a large and diverse network of public open spaces, from local parks and reserves to streetscapes, waterways and community gathering places.
Open space is an important part of our community. It provides places for people to connect, play, relax and enjoy nature, while supporting health and wellbeing, biodiversity, climate resilience and social connection.
This Public Open Space Plan sets out our vision to protect, improve and grow open space for our diverse and growing community. It will guide open space planning and policy across the municipality for the next 10 years.
The plan also recognises the importance of Wurundjeri connections to Country in shaping our understanding of place and caring for our landscapes into the future.
We developed the plan after listening to ideas and feedback from the community and other groups.
Visit the Engage Whittlesea website to learn more about the development of the master plan.
Key focus areas of the plan are outlined below.
Open space provision
We will create and maintain open space. In doing so, we will address current and future challenges. We will rethink how we work efficiently and effectively with partners and the community to plan, fund, design and deliver, and manage open space.
Community health and well-being
We will create and maintain safe, high-quality and connected open space that provides equitable access and supports the mental, physical and cultural wellbeing of residents.
Biodiversity
We will create and maintain high-quality, connected open space, landscapes and waterway corridors for the health of our diverse ecosystems, plants and animals – especially those that are threatened and endangered.
Climate change resilience
We will plan for the impacts of extreme weather and for cooler, greener and water-sensitive open space.
Economic and social benefits
We will consider how open space can increase visitor expenditure, social health, property values and transport savings.
The City of Whittlesea covers 490 square kilometres across rural, peri-urban and suburban areas, making it one of Melbourne’s largest and fastest growing municipalities.
Our public open space network includes regional parklands, conservation reserves, waterways, sports reserves, streetscapes and local parks. Together, these spaces support recreation, biodiversity, wellbeing and connections to nature.
The municipality has almost 13,000 hectares of publicly accessible open space, including more than 2,300 hectares managed by Council. This includes:
- 6 regional parklands
- 75 conservation reserves
- 50 sport and leisure precincts
- 256 play spaces
- 12 off-leash dog parks.
As our community grows, open space will continue to play an important role in supporting healthy, connected and climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
Our four planning principles guide how we plan, design, improve and manage public open space across the municipality.
Caring for Country
We recognise the deep connection Traditional Owners have to Country and will work in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung to support caring for Country, cultural knowledge and custodianship in open space planning.
Equity at heart
We will create welcoming, safe and accessible open spaces that meet the needs of people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Place-based approach
We will respond to the unique character, landscapes and communities across the municipality and celebrate our cultural and natural heritage.
Integrated people-focused approach
We will work collaboratively with communities, agencies and stakeholders to deliver connected, people-focused open spaces that support healthy and liveable neighbourhoods.
Each type of open space in our municipality has a specific role to play – depending on its size, location and character.
State open space
A State open space is of significance to the State Government.
State open spaces in the City of Whittlesea:
- Plenty Gorge Park
- Yan Yean Reserve.
Regional open space
Regional open space caters to a broader regional catchment.
Regional open spaces in the City of Whittlesea include:
- Merri Creek
- Darebin Creek Linear Trails.
Municipal open space
Municipal open space provides for the recreational needs of the municipality.
Municipal open spaces in the City of Whittlesea:
Explore local parks and reserves
Neighbourhood open space
Neighbourhood open space provides facilities within walking distance of home or work.
Neighourhood open spaces in the City of Whittlesea:
- Mimosa Park in Mill Park
- Lorne Park in Lalor
- Botanica Park in Bundoora.
Explore local parks and reserves
Local open space
Local open spaces are located within easy and safe walking distance from home or work and provide enough space to have two activities in the one open space.
Local open spaces in the City of Whittlesea:
- Prince of Wales Park in Mill Park
- Silky Oak Park in Bundoora
- Victoria Park in Thomastown.
Explore local parks and reserves
Small local open space
Small local open spaces are located within an easy and safe walk from home or work and smaller in size compared to local open space.
Small local open spaces in the City of Whittlesea:
- Kellaway Crescent Park in Mill Park
- Japonica Park in Bundoora.
Explore local parks and reserves
Small local link
Small local link spaces provide improved connectivity between streets and open space.
Usually less than .05 hectares in size, with a minimum width of 10 metres.
Find your nearest open space
Find your nearest park or playground.
Explore local parks and reserves
Download and view our Public Open Space Plan document:
Public Open Space Plan 2026-2036(PDF, 39MB)
If you'd like to view this plan in a different format, please call 03 9217 2170.