Breathing Space – The Darebin Open Space Strategy

The Darebin Open Space Strategy provides the overarching framework and strategic direction for public open space in the City of Darebin, for the next 10 years and beyond, and builds on the previous Open Space Strategy: 2007–2017. The strategy acknowledges the rich diversity of public open space in Darebin, and the need to manage these spaces to ensure the city is greener, bolder and more connected, in line with the high value placed on public open space by the community. The strategy is driven by the overarching theme of responding to the climate emergency. It does this via three key directions: – Meeting community open space needs – Rewilding Darebin: improving biodiversity – Creating a Green Streets Network. The strategy provides guidance to inform Council’s decision making regarding investments in and improvements to open space. The strategy also interfaces with a number of other Council objectives including: – As a key component of Council’s response to the climate emergency declared in Darebin, the strategy outlines key actions to manage, mitigate and repair damage done through climate change. – As a practical way to improve the wellbeing of people by providing opportunities for them to live their lives well. – As an articulation of the importance of planning for biodiversity and increasing the conservation and improvement of habitat. – As a means to improving active transport throughout the municipality through improving the walkability and cyclability, amenity and provision of shade on residential streets and in activity precincts. – As a vehicle for planning for the population growth and change that is predicted for the short and long term.