A green wedge is an area of land identified by the State Government to specially provide for non-urban uses. Examples of non-urban land uses include agriculture and low-density activities such as major infrastructure (airports, water facilities), major quarries, cultural heritage sites, biodiversity areas and water catchments.
Special State Government planning provisions apply which govern the use and development of land in these areas. For more information, visit the Victorian Government website.
There are 12 green wedges, managed by 17 local governments, surrounding metropolitan Melbourne.
Vision for the Whittlesea Green Wedge
The Whittlesea Green Wedge will be recognised for its enhanced natural environment and celebrated cultural assets, for providing a productive and diversified local economy and ensuring the well-being benefits of this beautiful space are enjoyed by all.
The City of Whittlesea’s Green Wedge consists of the Whittlesea Township and the broader rural area which surrounds it, including Eden Park, Humevale, Kinglake West, South Morang (part), Woodstock, Wollert (part), Donnybrook (part), Beveridge (part), Mernda (part), Doreen (part), Whittlesea (part), and Yan Yean.
Managing Whittlesea’s Green Wedge is a shared responsibility and involves a wide range of parties including:
- Traditional Owners
- Private landowners, residents and local business owners
- Government departments and authorities, utility and power companies and service agencies such as Department of Transport, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria who manage significant land holdings, natural features, state assets or local facilities
- Volunteers and community groups including Landcare groups, “Friends of” groups, Country Fire Authority, dedicated community interest groups and sporting groups.
The Whittlesea Green Wedge Management Plan (GWMP) is a council-prepared plan that sets out a long-term vision, strategies and actions to protect, enhance and manage non-urban land in Whittlesea’s green wedge. The plan runs over 10-year timeline (2023-2033) and will be reviewed in 2028.
Download our current Green Wedge Management Plan 2023-2033(PDF, 13MB)
Part 1: Introduction to the Green Wedge
This provides some context as to where the GWMP sits within Council’s Integrated Planning Framework.
It also provides a snapshot of the Whittlesea Green Wedge including:
- the physical attributes
- the key features of the area
- a community and economic profile.
Part 2: Policy Context for the Green Wedge
This outlines the federal, state and local legislative and policy framework within which the GWMP operates.
Part 3: What our Community told us
This provides information on the values, themes for inclusion in the GWMP and opportunities identified by the community and the Traditional Owners.
Part 4: The Plan: Vision, Objectives and Strategic Directions
This outlines the Vision, Objectives and Strategic Directions for the Green Wedge. These have been developed from background research and the outcomes of the community engagement. They are captured under the Whittlesea 2040 goals: Sustainable Environment, Liveable Neighbourhoods, Strong Local Economy and Connected Communities.
Previous plan
Download our previous Green Wedge Management Plan 2011-2021(PDF, 33MB)
The State Government provides the legislative framework for the operation of Melbourne’s green wedges.
Green wedge management plans are prepared by the relevant councils and provide local context to the values and strategies for a particular green wedge area. Each plan must respond to the unique features and functions of Victoria’s green wedges that include agricultural uses, forestry and aquaculture, tourism and recreation, built and natural heritage, infrastructure sites and renewable and non-renewable resources.
Green wedge management plans provide a framework for their sustainable use and development now and into the future. For more information, visit the Victorian State Government website.
Each green wedge management plan identifies:
- Values and features including Aboriginal cultural heritage that should be protected
- Preferred future land use
- Environmental and natural resources
- Type, scale and form of change in the green wedge
- How those changes will be managed and facilitated.
State Government resources and documents
On 14 November 2023, the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee referred an inquiry into securing Victoria’s food supply. The terms of reference for the inquiry were:
That this House refers an inquiry into securing the Victorian food supply in the context of urban sprawl and the impact of population growth on the farming industry and arable land to the Environment and Planning Standing Committee for consideration and report no later than 31 December 2024.
The Committee received 67 submissions and held 5 days of public hearings across the State.
The inquiry was highly relevant to both City of Whittlesea and the other councils tasked with the management of green wedge land. The City of Whittlesea provided a submission to the Inquiry.
The Committee released its report in November 2024. In July 2025, the Victorian Government provided a response.
The Victorian Government has supported 29 (out of 33) of the recommendations, although it should be noted that the level of support varies across these three options: ‘Support in Full’, ’Support in principle’ and ‘Support in part’. There is recognition that several of the recommendations have a correlation to the Department of Transport and Planning’s Action Plan.
Related documents