Plan brings success to City’s green wedge

New initiatives to protect the local environment, a farmers and makers market, support for local business and advocacy to the Victorian Government are just some of the successful outcomes of the 10-year Green Wedge Management Plan.

The plan was endorsed in July 2011 and detailed 84 actions relating to land, biodiversity, water and people in the Green Wedge, or non-urban areas of the City of Whittlesea.

It has now been completed, with a new Green Wedge Management Plan under development.

A summary of the outcomes of the 2011-2021 plan was presented to the 21 February Council Meeting for noting.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the achievements over the past 10 years had been significant.

“The Green Wedge is vitally important to the City of Whittlesea from a liveability, economic and environmental perspective. In fact, the Green Wedge represents approximately 61 percent of our municipality,” she said.

“This Green Wedge Management Plan has delivered some important outcomes for our community and will continue to do so.

“And while we reflect on what has been achieved over the past decade, I’m pleased we are now turning our sights to what else we can do over the next 10 years. I look forward to seeing a draft Green Wedge Management Plan shortly that will set us up for further success.”

Highlights of the 2011-21 plan include:

• Whittlesea Community Farm and Food Collective set up as a pilot program
• Submission to the Victorian Government’s Planning for Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land review project
• Successfully advocating to the Victorian Government for a business case on the potential development of the Melbourne Food and Innovation Export Hub
• Supporting local businesses, including those in the Whittlesea Township area, through campaigns including Dinner on Us, Shop Local, Choose your Own Adventure, Christmas on Church, Winter Weekends
• Developing a four-year plan to roll out wayfinding and interpretive signage for all of Council’s 60 conservation reservesSurveying users of 31 neighbourhood parks to understand use needs and community perceptions
• Forming a partnership with the Wurundjeri and Taungurung Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAP) to undertake an Aboriginal Heritage Study
• Appointing an Agribusiness Officer, Environmental Protection Officer and Heritage Coordinator
• Developing new local policy content to guide the protection of habitat corridors, waterways and native vegetation retention
• Adopting the City of Whittlesea Biodiversity Strategy 2019-2029
• Launching the South Morang Farmers and Makers Market in July 2019, with a focus on providing an opportunity for local producers to connect with the community and sell their produce locally.
• Forming a partnership with Deakin University to undertake a Land Capability Assessment (LCA) in 2019 and completed report in 2020. This partnership was extended to undertake research into Climate Resilient Agriculture to assist farmers in adapting to a changing climate.

The new Green Wedge Management Plan 2022-32 is being drafted following extensive community consultation last year and will be available for community feedback in the next few months.

Opportunities to have your say on the new Green Wedge Management Plan will be available soon on engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au