Moreland's Open Space Strategy - join others, have your say until 25th December

Source: RusselBeattie.com

What can you remember about the year 2004?

• Athens hosted the Olympics, 
• The Asian Tsunami ended the year,
• There was no iPhone yet, 

It feels like a long time ago doesn't it? So much has changed.

2004 is the last time Moreland City Council reviewed its Open Space Strategy.

Until now, that is!


What is this strategy?
Council describes this strategy as one that:

"sets Council a cohesive direction for the future provision, planning, design and management of publicly owned open space that is set aside for leisure, recreation and nature conservation purposes. 

The main aim is to preserve and enhance its environmental values and provide for future community needs."

Amongst other things, this strategy guides how council will approach use of council open space for such things as community gardens and urban agriculture as well as things like street planting, distribution of open space etc.

Community Consultation open!
Council is currently reviewing this strategy and between November 14th and December 25th 2011, they are seeking community input.

Community? That's us!

According to the draft strategy, although actions should be reviewed every 3 years, another full review won't be undertaken for 13 years so this is a truly rare opportunity.

Download a copy of the draft Moreland Open Space Strategy and have a read.
Sure, Council strategy documents may not be your reading matter of choice but hopefully you'll agree with us when we say it's important. This is how we exercise our community muscle to influence the direction of Council's strategy.

Need examples of how people in Moreland make a difference? Here are a few:

1. Friends of Edgars Creek succeeded in securing the Edgars Creek parkland as crown land,
2. Friends of Coburg Olympic Pool succeeded in having Council reopen and repair the Coburg Olympic Pool.
3. Parents around Coburg have been campaigning to have an open entry high school in Coburg and may finally be seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Much can be achieved if people in the community get involved!

So, once you've read it, what next?

There are several ways you can contribute to this process:

• Fill out the online survey,
• Print out the survey and post it,
• Fill in a copy of the survey at one of Moreland's libraries,
• Email Open Space Planner and Design Officer - Clare Johnston
• Post a letter to Operations Centre, Locked Bag 10 Moreland, 3058.
• You can even add comments to this post!

This is a rare opportunity to share your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the future direction of Council's policy. Get in there!