ACT Government invites community input on urban open space management

The ACT Government has released a draft Urban Open Space Land Management Plan for community comment to help shape the future management of parks, sportsgrounds and other public open spaces across Canberra.

The plan sets out the direction for improving amenities for sport, play and relaxation and preserving the biodiversity and environmental value of the urban open spaces. This includes key new actions to support more environmentally sensitive operations, including guidance for land management near our urban lakes and ponds, stormwater network and nature reserves.

Executive Branch Manager City Presentation, Daniel Iglesias notes “for the first time, the ACT Government has brought together five different regional plans into a single guiding document as we work to ensure the public open spaces are maintained and protected to a high standard for all to enjoy.

“According to research in the State of the Environment Report (2021), Canberra ranks as the top city in Australia with access to open space, based on the percentage of dwellings within 400 metres of an open space (walkable road network distance).

“As we continue to invest in new and improved open spaces, we also need to ensure our existing urban open space network continues to cater to the recreational needs of our diverse community and provides a much‑needed break from our built environment.

“The existing regional land management plans we have in place do not respond to the social, cultural and environmental challenges we face today, including our growing population and changing climate.

“Community-centric, accessible, inclusive, collaborative, safe and sustainable open spaces both now and in the future are the focus of this new plan as set out in its key principles.”

As caring for urban open spaces and green infrastructure is a shared responsibility, the ACT Government is asking the community to provide feedback on the draft plan, which will provide an overarching and consistent direction for the management of urban open spaces Canberra wide.

Once finalised, the Urban Open Space Land Management Plan, together with Canberra’s Urban Lakes and Ponds Land Management Plan, will be used by land managers to guide the management of our urban open spaces to ensure they continue to be enjoyed by current and future generations.

Visit www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au to learn more. The draft plan is open for feedback until 15th August 2023.

Image. Basketball courts at Deakin. Credit: ACT Government