REVISED STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE AND REPORT …...5.2 DRAFT PLAN MELBOURNE The State Government of Victoria has recently released its draft Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy

WYNDHAM PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT C175 – TRUGANINA PRECINCT STRUCTURE PLAN AMENDMENT C176 – RIVERDALE PRECINCT STRUCTURE PLAN & AMENDMENT C177 – WYNDHAM NORTH DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION PLAN

REVISED STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE AND REPORT TO PLANNING PANEL PREPARED BY SUE HAWES OPEN SPACE PLANNER CITY PRESENTATION & RECREATION WYNDHAM CITY COUNCIL 20 JANUARY 2014

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1. Name and Address

Sue Hawes of 45 Princes Highway, Werribee.

2. Qualifications and Experience I hold a Bachelor of Built Environment – Landscape Architecture (2007) and a Graduate Diploma of Landscape Architecture (2008). Both qualifications are from the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. My specific experience relating to Open Space Planning has been gained in the following roles:

Public Space Planner, Brisbane City Council, 2010 – 2012; and

Open Space Planner, Wyndham City Council, 2012 -– present.

My areas of expertise are as a practitioner in:

Open Space Planning in Greenfield Areas (Ballan Rd, Westbrook, Riverdale, Truganina, Tarneit North, East Werribee Employment Precinct, Wyndham West, Wyndham North); and

Public (Open) Space Planning in established & greenfield metropolitan areas – Urban Renewal (Toowong - Auchenflower, Toombul - Nundah, Taringa – St Lucia, Milton) & Neighbourhood Planning Areas (Toowong-Indooroopilly, Moggill – Bellbowrie, Mt Gravatt Corridor, Mitchelton Centre, Racecourse Precinct).

3. Expertise Regarding this Subject

Specific to planning for the quality and provision of active open space in urban growth areas my expertise has been gained through:

Open Space Analysis of Active and Passive recreation requirements in a Melbourne Growth Area;

Open Space Analysis of Active and Passive recreation and Public Space Analysis of Community Facilities requirements in Brisbane’s Urban Renewal Areas; and

Open Space Analysis of Active and Passive recreation and Public Space Analysis of Community Facilities requirements in Brisbane’s Growth Areas - Principal Regional Activity Centres and Greenfield Areas.

4. Instructions

I am an employee of Wyndham City Council and I have been requested to give written evidence in relation to active open space provisions in Wyndham Planning Scheme Amendments C171 and C172. More particularly my instructions were to:

Provide an overview of Wyndham City Council's strategies and policies in respect of open space planning, including adopted Council documents and internal guidelines.

Assess the provision for active open space in the Truganina and Riverdale PSPs.

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I am aware of my duty as an expert in accordance with the Planning Panels Victoria Guideline on Expert Evidence.

5. Facts and Information Taken into Account

In undertaking an assessment of the adequacy of the provision for active open space in the Truganina and Riverdale Precinct Structure Plans, I have referred to the following information: 5.1 PLANNING SCHEME The following provisions of the Planning Scheme have been relevant to my assessment:

Clause 11.03 – 1 Open Space Planning, which seeks to assist creation of a diverse and integrated network of public open space commensurate with the needs of the community.

Clause 11.03-2 Open Space Management, which seeks to provide for the long term management of public open space.

Clause 22.07 Open Space Policy, which applies to the provision of recreational open space in Wyndham.

Clause 52.01 Public Open Space Contribution and Subdivision, which provides that a person who proposes to subdivide land must make a contribution to the council for public open space in an amount specified in the schedule to the clause.

Clause 56.05-2 Public Open Space Provision Objectives, which includes Standard C13 in relation to the provision of public open space.

Clause 52.37 Post Boxes and Dry Stone Walls, which seeks to conserve historic post boxes and dry stone walls and provides that a permit is required for dry stone walls on all land in Wyndham.

5.2 DRAFT PLAN MELBOURNE The State Government of Victoria has recently released its draft Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy (October 2013). In undertaking my assessment, I have had regard to the following initiatives set out in Plan Melbourne:

Initiative 4.5.1 – Develop a New Metropolitan Open Space Strategy Initiative 4.5.2 – Provide New Neighbourhood Parks and Open Space Initiative 4.6.3 – Fund Subregional Cultural and Sporting Facilities

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5.3 ADOPTED WYNDHAM CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIES AND POLICIES 5.3.1 Wyndham Open Space Strategy (2003), EDAW (Aust) Pty Ltd (WOSS) Section 4.7.1: Open Space Provision (Page 80)

The provision levels required for district sporting and neighbourhood recreation are defined by the Open Space Hierarchy and the standards for sporting provision identified in the Wyndham City Council Open Space Study, New Subdivisions (Jeavons 1997) as adopted by the Council. The provision levels are summarized in Table 1 below: Table 1: Open Space Provision within Wyndham Open Space Strategy 2003 NEIGHBOURHOOD

RECREATION*1

DISTRICT

SPORTING*1 TOTAL*2

Urban *3 0. 6 ha / 1000 people 1.4 ha / 1000

people*4

2.0 ha / 1000 people

Notes *1 These figures include provision for the minimal level of Neighbourhood Parks and District

Sporting Facilities to cater for average community and visitor requirements. High visitor (tourist) use areas will require additional areas and facilities to meet peak period demands. Areas with different demographic characteristics may need the balance between recreational and sporting areas altered to suit different age user groups. District Recreation is not included.

*2 Final decisions regarding the actual provision of neighbourhood and district areas and facilities must rest with Council and will depend on many locality specific variables (eg. topography, demographics, existing land availability etc.).

*3 “Urban” is considered to be an average Residential 1 zone type development with a population density of about 35 people per gross hectare, or approximately 38 people per net developable, at 2.7 people per dwelling and 14 dwellings per net developable hectare..

*4 District Sporting provision is based on the standards for sporting provision defined by Jeavons

1997. These standards determine the total number of sporting facilities, say Australian Rules Football ovals, for a given population. These standards are met through Council owned reserves, and the community use of school sporting facilities. The figure of 1.4 Ha / 1000 people applies to Council owned facilities only, and has been calculated based on the shortfall between the likely provision of sporting facilities by schools to the community, and the provision standards as defined by Jeavons. This figure assumes that there will be unrestricted community access to school facilities outside of school hours. If school facilities were not available to the community or sporting clubs for use, the level required to meet the standards for sporting provision would be 2.0 Ha / 1000 people.

To date, Wyndham City Council is yet to establish a use agreement with any DEECD school within the Municipality for access to their open space for formal recreational purposes. In part, this is because no DEECD school within the municipality develops or maintains their open space to a standard that is fit for play by community sporting clubs. 5.3.2 Wyndham Interim Open Space Transitional Policy (WIOSTP) (Pages 9 & 10) Adopted by Council in October 2010, the WIOSTP established the need for greater Active Open Space provision within the municipality, with the following Active Open Space provisions specified:

7.9 – 8% of GDA Level 1 (neighbourhood) to be sites of a minimum 8-12ha Level 3 (district and above) to be sites of a minimum 30ha

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AOS within 1km of 95% of all dwellings 8-12ha, Suitable in shape to provide north south orientated sporting grounds preferably located side

by side Located on flat land fit for purpose and which can be cost effectively graded / developed Land set aside for an AOS must be suitably dimensioned to accommodate a neighbourhood

park or district park use (equivalent to 1-2ha) away from playing surfaces and sporting buffers.

5.2.2 Wyndham North Heritage Strategy (2013) by Heritage Alliance (WNHS) (Pages 10 & 95)

The Strategy was commissioned by the City of Wyndham to inform the management of previously identified heritage places in the Planning Scheme within each PSP, in terms of the suitability of those places to be retained or removes, and guide future development within the PSP’s. More specifically, it was required that the strategy provide management and works recommendations for each site in relation to how each place could be used within an urban growth context.

A section of this report includes the identification of many dry stone walls in the PSP areas. The strategy concurs with the recommendations of Amendment C86 that the provisions of Clause 52.37, Post Boxes and Dry Stone Walls, requiring a permit to demolish or remove dry stone walls as dry stone walls are an important feature within the landscape of the western planes district, including Wyndham City.

5.4 COUNCIL AND CONSULTANT GUIDELINES 5.4.1 Planning For Community Infrastructure in Growth Areas (2008), Australian Social & Recreation Research Pty Ltd (PCIGA) The PCIGA is a research document outlining a framework of principles, standards and benchmarks for the planning of community infrastructure in the Growth Area Councils and a recommended process for determining community infrastructure needs. Table 23 – Planning Standards: Active Open space and Recreation and Passive Open Space (page 128) of the PCIGA recommends the following Active Open Space provision rate: Provision of a minimum of 2.0ha of active open space (excluding golf courses) per 1000 people within growth area locations. This active open space is to be distributed between:

Level 1 active open space reserves; Level 3+ active open space reserves; Level 2 tennis facilities; Level 3+ tennis facilities; and Lawn bowls.

5.4.2 Landscape Context Guidelines (March 2013), Jill-Orr-Young Landscape Architects and Ainley Projects The Landscape Context Guidelines are a Wyndham City initiative designed to protect the characteristics that define Wyndham, such as waterways, wetlands (swamps), dry stone walls and Sugar Gum windbreaks. These Guidelines consider natural and cultural landscapes as combined and interactive in ‘local distinctiveness’, and focus on the ‘special

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places and landscapes’ valued by the community. Windbreaks and dry stone walls are discussed on pages 8 – 11. 5.4.3 Outdoor Sport Facility Development Guidelines, (2009) These guidelines are a Wyndham City Council internal document prepared to assist with the future development of Council’s outdoor sporting facilities. The guidelines outline the hierarchy of outdoor sporting facilities (regional, municipal, district and neighbourhood) and the facility development standards for the top 5 sports being AFL, cricket, tennis, Outdoor netball & soccer.

5.4.4 Wyndham Social Infrastructure Planning - 2040 (2009), Australian Social & Recreation (ASR) Research Pty Ltd (WSIP – 2040) The WSIP was a Growth Areas Authority and Wyndham City Council initiative with the assistance of the Department of Planning and community Development (DPCD), Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Victoria Police, VicUrban and Parks Victoria represented on the Working Group. This document set about to draw together the significant amount of work already undertaken by Council and other agencies in relation to future provision requirements within the three major growth fronts (Wyndham West, Wyndham North & Point Cook and Werribee Employment Precinct) to determine the range and types of social infrastructure required to support the projected population growth of the study area, assess community infrastructure provision requirements using the recently prepared Community Infrastructure in Growth Areas 2008 report, and consult as appropriate with relevant Government and non-government agencies. Appendix 2 – Recommended Provision Ratios for Community Infrastructure in Melbourne’s Growth Areas from the WSIP-2040 document. Table 2: Table 5 – Provision ratios: Active Outdoor Sport and Recreation and Passive Open space Assessment.

Community Infrastructure Type & Hierarchy

Identified Provision Ratios for Community Infrastructure Type (Actual or Desired)

Recommended Provision Ratio for Community Infrastructure in Growth Areas

Overview of active open space provision.

Desired • Wyndham Open Space Strategy (2003) provides for 2.0 hectares for sports grounds per 1000 population where sports grounds are not provided on school sites. • Melton Leisure and Open Space Strategy (2005) provides for 2.2 hectares of for local and district level sports per 1000 population. • Cardinia Shire has adopted a provision ratio of 2 hectares for sport in new urban areas. • Casey Draft Recreational Open Space Strategy (2000) recommends that junior sports grounds be within 1km of most

Demand modelling based on Victorian ERASS data shows that a minimum of 2.0 hectares of active open space is required to meet the metropolitan average for sport. This is consistent with provision ratios being adopted by councils both locally and interstate. • The City of Wyndham has identified 1.8 hectares of active open space per 1,000 people. This active open space is to be distributed between Level 1 active open space reserves (refer to Item 5.1), Level 3 + active open space reserves (refer to Item 5.2), Level 2 tennis facilities (refer to Item 5.6), Level 3 + tennis facilities (refer to Item 5.7) and lawn bowls facilities (refer to Item 5.7). Even where alternatives to tennis and lawn bowls are identified because of differences in local

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residences and that district level sports ground be within 2.0 km of most residences. • The Queensland Government’s Open Space for Sport and Recreation Planning Principles (2003) recommends 2.0 hectares of land for sport. This has been adopted by at least 13 Queensland councils.

participation preferences, Growth area Councils will aim to ensure that the provision of 1.8 hectares per 1,000 people is achieved.

Item 5.1 Level 1 active open space reserves

Many older growth area plans refer to 1 active outdoor reserve per 2,000 to 3,000 households on 4 to 5 ha of land

One Level 1 active open space reserve (8 ha per active open space reserve) per 6,000 people.

Item 5.2 Higher order active open space reserve: Level 3, 4 & 5

1 to 40,000 people 1 higher order active open space reserve (30 hectare open space reserve) per 50,000 people.

Item 5.3 Neighbourhood and Higher Order level active open space reserve pavilions: Level 1 and 3

Actual Not identified Desired Not identified

Level 1 Pavilion – 1 per 6,000 people (or designated active recreation reserve) Level 3 Pavilion – 1 per 50,000 people

Appendix 3 – Recommended Community Infrastructure Provision Models for Melbourne’s Growth Areas from the WSIP 2040 document Table 3 – Planning Standards: Active Open Sport and Recreation and Passive Open Space

Community Infrastructure Type & Hierarchy

Current Service & Facility Model of Provision

Recommended Service & Facility Model for Growth Areas

Land Area and Building Footprint Requirements

for Growth Areas

Item 5.1 Level 1 active open space reserves Supporting sports such as: • Football • Cricket • Soccer • Baseball • Softball • Hockey • Athletics / track & field • Netball

Although there are many multiple playing field sporting reserves in Metropolitan Melbourne most neighbourhood level provision in older established areas is characterised by single use playing fields. However, this has proven to be an inefficient method of provision for active space needs. Land allocations have generally proven to be insufficient in many of Melbourne’s most recent greenfield developments to accommodate the supply of outdoor sporting fields originally planned for, and generally resulted in a

Minimum neighbourhood model should have the capacity to accommodate the equivalent of two full sized AFL / Cricket ovals or 3 full soccer fields, even though other sports may be allocated to the reserve. Key characteristics of quality active open space must include: a) Public ownership. b) Sport as its primary purpose and function. c) Located conveniently and suitably to the community and users it is intended to serve. d) Community has access to the sports fields for informal recreation when

• A minimum of 8 ha (up to 10 ha) for a neighbourhood level active open space reserve. • Within a growth area, a proposed reserve will be created as part of the relevant subdivision stage.

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range of amenity problems (e.g. insufficient car parking, safety issues associated with playing fields being to close to roads etc.

sporting activities are not in progress. e) Appropriately zoned in local planning scheme or management plan. f) Access and use for sporting purposes is allocated by council / agency. g) Used by the community consistent with primary purpose. h) Designed and constructed to meet specific sporting standards and requirements including drainage and irrigation. i) Appropriate run-out and safety and circulation zones. j) Managed and maintained to meet sporting requirements. k) Land must be unencumbered so it can support necessary associated infrastructure (eg perimeter fencing, cricket nets, light towers, scoreboards, pavilions, car parking). This is relevant to all land proposed for formal sport.

Item 5.2 Higher order active open space reserve: Level 3, 4 & 5 Supporting sports such as: • Football • Cricket • Soccer • Tennis • Softball • Baseball • Outdoor netball • Lawn Bowls • Junior and senior athletics • Rugby • Lacrosse • Cycling • Athletics • Dog obedience • Netball • Other

Existing higher order active open space reserves in the Melbourne are very diverse in composition and size. Some are single sport reserves providing dedicated facilities for single or dual sports e.g. velodrome for cycling or playing field for football/cricket. Others are multi-sport parks providing facilities for a number of outdoor sports and possibly some indoor sports. The general function of such reserves, as the name implies, is to accommodate higher order sporting functions and infrastructure forms (e.g. the most regionally significant sporting competition forms and Council leisure centres).

Multi-sport reserves should be provided. Ideally, such reserves will contain a mixture of: • Multiple outdoor playing fields/courts/tracks (for a diverse range of sports) • One or more significant items of indoor recreation (e.g. leisure centres and or a multi-court basketball / netball facility) • A high level of general amenity such as car parking and landscaping and good access via both private and public transport forms.

Land area Land area requirements for a higher order recreation reserve will depend on the choice of component elements. They could range from 10 ha to more than 50 ha. As a general guide 30 ha will be required to accommodate: • Active outdoor playing fields (3 full sized AFL ovals and 3 soccer pitches) • A typical Council leisure centre (including an aquatics component) • A 10 court tennis facility • Perimeter pedestrian / bicycle trail • A higher order playground (e.g. adventure playground)Building area Refer to other discrete infrastructure items listed that may form part of the higher order reserve (e.g. Council Leisure Centres)

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Item 5.3 Neighbourhood and Higher Order level active open space reserve pavilions: Level 1 and 3 Supporting sports such as: • Football • Cricket • Soccer • Tennis • Softball • Baseball • Outdoor netball • Lawn Bowls • Junior and senior athletics • Rugby • Lacrosse • Cycling • Athletics • Dog obedience • Other

Municipal sporting pavilions vary significantly in size, quality and function. They range from the most basic of change rooms to more elaborate buildings offering a combination of change rooms, larger social rooms with bar facilities.

Provide all neighbourhood and higher order active outdoor open space reserves with a pavilion appropriate for its identified functions. Pavilion should be used where feasible for non-sport related activities (e.g. social rooms which effectively can function as general community meeting space that local residents and groups can hire). Pavilions should be suitable for use by female players

Land area Incorporated into open space reserve (refer above)Recommended Building Area • Level 1 pavilion – minimum of 400 square metres (e.g. a pavilion serving a level 2 netball facility with 1 or 2 courts) • Level 3 pavilion – minimum of 600 square metres

5.4.5 Wyndham Social Infrastructure Planning Framework 2040 (2012 Update), Australian Social & Recreation (ASR) Research Pty Ltd (WSIFP 2040 (2012 Update)) The WSIPF 2040 (2012 update) document is the updated 2009 Wyndham Social Infrastructure Planning - 2040 report prepared by ASR Research Pty Ltd and jointly funded by the Growth Areas Authority (GAA), Department of Planning & Community Development (DCPD) and Wyndham City Council. It provides a general overview of the quantity and distribution of social infrastructure likely to be required within the municipality over the next 30 years to support a population projected to grow from 140,000 to 425,000 people during this period of time. Section 2.8.2 Provision Model for Active Open Space (Page 23) The provision model for Council active open space reserves in future PSP locations is likely to include the following key features: District active open space (defined by the GAA as “Local Active Open Space”) – typically ranging

from 8 to 12 hectares in size (refer to Figure 4 for an example); Sub-municipal / municipal reserves (defined by the GAA as “District Active Open Space”) –

typically a 30 hectare + reserve. These reserves are likely to provide either: 1) “Elite provision” (e.g. Premier cricket or Premier League soccer) or AFL Victoria / TAC competition); 2) “Regional provision” (i.e. across municipal boundaries), or 3) “Sub-municipal provision” (e.g. athletics, aquatics, or indoor sports facilities).

Sports with the highest participation levels will generally be located in most district (or local as defined by the GAA) active open space reserves (Australian Rules, Cricket, Soccer, Tennis, Netball);

Where possible, the co-location of larger reserves with Government Secondary Schools will be encouraged to facilitate Joint School / Community sporting functions8;

There will also be a greater emphasis on incorporating “other” sport with typical smaller participation levels & other functions:

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lawn bowls; softball / baseball; hockey; athletics; rugby league / union; skate & bmx facilities; peripheral passive open space function; and trails / pathways.

Appendix 1 - Description of Community Infrastructure Provision Ratios and Standards Used for the assessment (Page 77.) This appendix outlines, amongst other things, active open space provision rates (ha) against current provision standards and sport facility (ovals, courts etc) requirements based on a population provision rate. Wyndham Council has adopted these sport facility provision rates when calculating sporting demand within PSP areas for all sports other than softball, which due to anecdotal evidence since publishing, has subsequently revised its provision rate to 1 field per 30,000 instead of 1:10,000. Table 4: Sporting Infrastructure Demand in WSIP 2040

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5.4.6 Open Space Design Considerations (March, 2013) The Design Considerations are a Wyndham City Council internal guideline document outlining design requirements/considerations of developer contributed open space for active and passive recreation covering issues such as provision ratios, club viability information, co-location with schools and community facilities, environment/infrastructure/heritage considerations as well as sports field orientation and dimensions. Sports field dimensioning, with local adaption (where necessary) has been obtained from Sports Dimensions Guide for Playing Areas (2008), Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia.

5.5 INDUSTRY GUIDELINES

5.5.1 Best Practice Manual – Risks in Sporting Reserves (2011), MAV Insurance Liability Mutual Insurance Council’s public liability insurer has prepared a best practice manual to guide councils on how to effectively mitigate risks in sporting reserves. Design and suitability issues are considered to be a “key contributing factor” to claims made against Council, and these can be summarised into 3 issues: 1. Non-compliance with recommended ground dimensions for the level of sport; 2. Non-compliance with recommended boundary line run-off distances for the level of sport; and 3. Location of ground relative to nearby property, roads, other reserve facilities etc. An important consideration in the placement of sporting fields is the need to protect attractions / facilities in close proximity such as:

playgrounds, BBQ’s and picnic areas;

car parks – particularly those that may be shared with other adjacent attractions and are therefore busier and more likely to have people within the car park as opposed to just cars (ie nearby shopping centre, schools etc);

adjacent schools and elderly/child care centres – particularly primary schools, preschools, kindergartens and child-care centres;

nearby roads – particularly busy and/or high speed roads; and

bicycle pathways – particularly busy ones. MAV Insurance Liability Mutual Insurance has provided the ACT Department of Urban Infrastructure’s Design Standard for Urban Infrastructure, 24 – Sportsground Design as design guidance to designers, developers and town planners for when new facilities are being built or existing facilities are being renovated. This design guidance is illustrated in Figure 1 below.

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Figure 1: Example of standardised “Buffer Zones” between playing areas and surrounding assets/infrastructure MAV Insurance has developed a Risk Matrix that prioritises the protection of people ahead of the protection of property. This is facilitated by assigning a Risk Rating to the locations where people (particularly children and the elderly) are most likely to be exposed in large numbers and locations adjacent to roads, particularly where there is high traffic and/or speed and where errant balls have the potential to cause a significant incident (ie. multiple-vehicle accidents). Table 5: Risk Matrix Specific to Proximity Risks - Sportsgrounds Note: The matrix does not cover all scenarios.

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5.5.2 Sports Dimensions Guide for Playing Areas (2008), Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia This guide was prepared by the Department of Sport and Recreation, Western Australia with the assistance of National & State sporting associations responsible for the administration of their respective rules. This Guide provides general information regarding the designing of, and marking out of a range of sporting activities played in Western Australia. Wyndham City Council has used this document, with minor local adaptation, to guide its requirements for sporting infrastructure. These adaption mainly relate to AFL run-off areas.

5.5.3 Open Space Planning and Design Guide (2013), Parks and Leisure Australia (Vic/Tas)

Commissioned by the Victorian/Tasmanian Division of Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA), in partnership with the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)

This guide advocates on behalf of the industry that:

Open space is vitally important in the development and sustainability of communities; Sufficient quantity and quality of open space is critical in planning of communities to ensure

that long term social needs can be addressed and environmental values can be preserved; and

A no ‘net loss’ policy for the provision of open space is a sound policy position for local government to consider so that open space is preserved for future generations.

This is a guidance document to:

Develop sound and consistent policy across all local governments to inform open space contributions through planning provisions at a local level;

Assessment of planning applications that statutory planners will consider as new communities are planned and existing communities are regenerated;

Strategies to assist local government prepare planning scheme amendments and defend local planning decisions for open space contributions at council and at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal;

Approaches that can be applied to the numerous settlement types that exists in Victoria that are determined by government policy and the urban, regional and rural nature of the state; and

Planning processes that Councils will undertake to plan and develop open space and achieve the best outcomes from land that is available.

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5.6 VICTORIAN STATE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES

5.6.1 Precinct Structure Plan Guidelines, Metropolitan Planning Authority

The following sections of the PSP Guidelines are relevant to these matters:

Element 5

The Precinct Structure Plan should respond to the following standards:

S1 Provide a network of quality, well-distributed, multi-functional and cost effective open space, catering for a broad range of users that includes:

Local parks within 400m safe walking distance of at least 95% of all dwellings;

Active open space within one kilometre of 95% of all dwellings; Linear parks and trails, most often along waterways, but also linked to vegetation corridors and road reserves within one kilometre of 95% of all dwellings. See Clause 56.05-2

S2 In residential areas, approximately 10% of the net developable area as total public open space, of which 6% is active open space.

In addition, residential precincts should contain active indoor recreation facilities that are co-located and/or share space with schools and integrated community facilities. This should result in an active indoor sports provision of approximately five hectares per 60,000 residents.

S3 In major employment areas, approximately 2% of net developable area as public open space, usually with a passive recreation function.

S4 In meeting standards S2 and S3, encumbered land should be used productively for open space.

The network of local and district parks should be efficiently designed to maximise the integration and sharing of space with publicly accessible encumbered land.

Encumbered land usually includes land retained for drainage, electricity, biodiversity and cultural heritage purposes.

The parkland created by such sharing and integration should be suitable for the intended open space function/s, including maintenance.

In this way, encumbered land will be well utilised, while the total amount of open space can be optimised without adversely impacting on the quality and functionality of the network.

S5 Active open space should be:

Of an appropriate size, i.e. sufficient to incorporate two football/ cricket ovals, but small enough to enable regular spacing of active open space provision across the precinct. This configuration would generally require at least eight hectares;

Appropriate for its intended open space use in terms of quality and orientation;

Located on flat land (which can be cost effectively graded); Located with access to, or making provision for a recycled or other

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sustainable water supply; Designed to achieve sharing of space between sports, and; Linked to pedestrian and cycle paths.

S6 All public open space areas should be designed to maximise passive surveillance. See Clauses 56.04-4 and 56.05-2

S7 The public open space network is combined with techniques for managing urban run-off and biodiversity. See Clauses 56.05-1, 56.04-4, 56.05-2, 56.07-4

Key Principles for Open Space Design

Planning the provision of open space in a Precinct Structure Plan is about quality and quantity.

The quantitative assessment is to determine the amount and type of open space to be provided by analysing such factors as:

The function of parks within the open space network; Appropriate distribution and proximity to the precinct’s population; Community needs for open space in the anticipated population; The amount of existing or planned open space in areas in the vicinity of the precinct.

The qualitative assessment involves taking into account:

The precinct’s physical features such as topography, extent of native vegetation, cultural heritage and drainage reserves and considering how these can be integrated and shared with the open space network;

The quality of other existing or planned open space in areas in the vicinity of the precinct.

Section 5.1 Infrastructure delivery

5.1.1 Precinct Infrastructure Plan

The Precinct Infrastructure Plan considers infrastructure at two levels. Firstly there is the strategic or regional level, where items such as major roads, railways and regional sporting facilities are identified. In some cases these will form the backbone for land use planning and its delivery will usually be critical to progressing development within the precinct. Secondly, developing the precinct will generate a requirement for a wide range of local infrastructure such as connector streets, kindergartens and ovals. A key part of planning this infrastructure and services requires close collaboration between the planning authority, council and the relevant agencies. The final Precinct Infrastructure Plan needs to collate and present the full range of infrastructure required. However, it does not need to document the infrastructure normally provided by the developer in the course of constructing a subdivision. For instance, while the PIP should document the arterial and connector street systems, the local roads need to be constructed by the developer as a matter of course and should not be included.

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6. Calculation of Supply Various provision standards are stipulated within the various reference documents cited above. I have tested the provision set out in the PSPs against these standards.

6.1 Planning For Community Infrastructure in Growth Areas (2008), Australian Social & Recreation Research Pty Ltd (PCIGA)

PCIGA sets a provision rate of 2ha/1000 people for active open space. This land area is to be divided between Level 1, Level 3+ open space reserves with additional area for Level 2 and 3+ tennis and lawn bowls. The following is a breakdown of that distribution. Table 6: Open Space Provision Calculation for Westbrook & Ballan Road PSP’s (PCIGA)

Provision Riverdale Truganina Wyndham North

Population (Source: Released PSP’s / DCP in absence of PSP)

34,039 26,490 116,684

2ha/1000 people AOS provision 68.08 52.98 233.4

Distribution

One L1 AOS (8ha reserve) per 6,000 people.

45.33 35.32 155.57

One higher order reserve (L3,4,&5) (30ha reserve) per 50,000 people.

20.4 15.89 70.01

Tennis Facility Level 2,3,4 & 5 (0.1192ha per 2 courts, pavilion area 0.0125ha*) 1x2 court – no pavilion, per 25,000-35,000 1x6-10 courts – with pavilion per 25,000-35,000

1x24 court facility – with pavilion per municipality/region per municipality

0.11 - 0.16

0.6 - 0.8 + 0.0125

0.09 + 0.009

0.08 - 0.13

0.45 - 0.63 + 0.0125

0.075 + 0.007

0.37 - 0.56

1.85 – 2.8 + 0.0125 0.29 + 0.003

Lawn Bowls Facility (1.0634ha per 4 greens, pavilion area 0.0125ha*)

1 Lawn Bowls facility (4 greens) per 40,000 people

0.9 + 0.0125

0.7 + 0.0125

3.02 + 0.0125

TOTAL(Exclusive of outdoor netball)

68.4 – 68.7 ha 52.6 – 52.8 ha 232.14 – 233.27 ha

Outdoor Netball Facilities (1.059ha for 8 courts*) Overall: 1 outdoor court per 35,000 people:

0.13

0.1

0.44

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Level 1: 1x2 court facility per 16,000 people located on school sites

Level 3: 1 x 8 court facility per 50,000 outdoor netball

NA

0.72

NA

0.56

NA

2.47 TOTAL (Inclusive of outdoor netball)

69.2 – 69.5 ha 53.2 – 53.4 ha 235.05 – 236.18 ha

PSP/DCP active open space delivery 41.24ha 45.4ha 185.2ha

Riverdale PSP proposes 41.24ha of open space, which is a shortfall of 22. 46 - 22.76ha on the outdoor netball inclusive total of active open space to be provided according to the PCIGA. Correspondingly, Truganina PSP has indicated an active open space provision of 45.4 ha which is a 7.8 – 8ha shortfall. *These area figures include basic circulation space between courts/greens and the pavilion floor area only. Additional land is required to ensure adequate circulation space around courts/greens & pavilions to adequately link these facilities. The PCIGA makes no pavilion provision recommendation for bowls (mandatory) or netball (opportunity to co-share); therefore I have only included pavilions for lawn bowls. Accordingly, measured against the PCIGA, there is a significant shortfall 6.2 Wyndham Open Space Strategy (2003), EDAW PTY LTD (WOSS)

District Sport: The figure of 1.4 Ha / 1000 people applies to Council owned facilities only, and

has been calculated based on the shortfall between the likely provision of sporting facilities by schools

to the community, and the provision standards as defined by Jeavons. This figure assumes that there

will be unrestricted community access to school facilities outside of school hours. If school facilities

were not available to the community or sporting clubs for use, the level required to meet the

standards for sporting provision would be 2.0 Ha / 1000 people.

It has been demonstrated within Wyndham that there is only one current use of part of a school’s open space .Wyndham Park Primary School is co-located with Heathdale Glen Orden Reserve and 2/3rds of the second AFL/Cricket oval is located on school grounds and 1/3rd is on Council land, in which Council spent $1,500,000 in 2011, to develop the site into a suitable sporting reserve, fit for use by the community. This was a Council initiative with no funding provided by DEECD. Therefore the 2ha/1000 people active open space provision rate is used in this calculation.

Table 7: Active Open Space provision according to WOSS

Riverdale Truganina Wyndham West

Population 34,039 26,490 116,684

2ha / 1000 68.08 52.98 233.37

PSP/DCP active open space delivery

41.24ha 45.4ha 185.2ha

Accordingly, the PSP AOS provision measured against the WOSS indicates there is a significant shortfall.

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6.3 Wyndham Interim Open Space Transitional Policy (WIOSTP)

According to these provisions, the active open space provision calculations for the Truganina and Riverdale PSP areas should be calculated as follows:

Table 8: Open Space Provision as Calculated for Riverdale & Truganina Exhibition PSP’s and Wyndham North using Agency/Exhibition PSP’s or Exhibition DCP in the PSP absence.

Riverdale Truganina Wyndham North

GDA(ha) 823.89 777.81 3221.4

7.9 – 8% of GDA 65.1 – 65.9 61.4 - 62.2 254.49 – 257.71

PSP/DCP active open space delivery

41.24ha 45.4ha 185.2ha

Accordingly, the PSP AOS provision measured against the WIOSTP indicates there is a significant shortfall. Note: Gross Developable Area (GDA) is the total site area, minus arterial and sub-arterial road widening and reserves, floodways in dedicated reservations and school sites.

6.4 Wyndham Social Infrastructure Planning Framework 2040 (2012 Update), Australian Social & Recreation (ASR) Research Pty Ltd (WSIFP 2040 (2012 Update))

Active open space provision rates (ha) against current provision standards and sport facility (ovals, courts etc) requirements based on expected population. Wyndham Council has adopted these sport facility provision rates when calculating sporting demand within PSP areas for all sports other than softball, which due to anecdotal evidence since publishing, has subsequently revised its provision rate to 1 field per 30,000 from 1:10,000. Based on an expected population of 116,684 people, the sporting demand for that population based on the WSIP 2040 (2012 update) (see table 4) the expected sporting infrastructure demand is represented in table 10. Mapping of that sporting infrastructure (figure 2) onto the proposed active open space reserves, with most staying in the location indicated within the PSP’s & Agency DCP (no mapping was precent in the Exhibition DCP), requires a total of 208ha (table 11). This included placing sporting provision onto A89-03, which was agreed between the WCC/MPA to be un programmed for community use/flexible sporting reserve. Note: Hockey provision for Wyndham North is 2 fields, plus with the addition of Wyndham West’s provision of 1 field, the total provision should be 3 fields (Wyndham West picked up Wyndham North’s Lacrosse provision in exchange). As these fields are synthetic grass, it was felt that 2 fields were sufficient to service the combined population of Wyndham North & West, and to meet club viability requirements.

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Table 10: Sporting Infrastructure Demand for Wyndham North According to WSIPF 2040 (2012 Update)

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Figure 2: Expected sporting demand for Wyndham North mapped onto active open spaces.

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Table 11: Land requirement to meet minimum fit-for-purpose reserves to accommodate sporting infrastructure demand, passive open space component (when one is not already co-located) and Council’s insurer’s requirements.

6.4 Precinct Structure Plan Guidelines, Metropolitan Planning Authority

MPA’s Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines stipulate a provision rate for active open space of 6% of NDAR. WCC had negotiated for 7% of NDAR for active open space, by trading off 1% of NDAR for passive open space. No regional open space has been nominated within Riverdale or Truganina PSP’s or Wyndham West DCP. Table 12: Precinct Structure Plan Guidelines Active Open Space Provision for Riverdale and Truganina PSP areas. AOS MPA Proposed Sport

Land Provision (PSP) 7% NDAR

A90-01 11.00 A90-02 11.87 A90-03 12.11 A90-04 10.42 Truganina Precinct Total 45.4 40.0

(571.21ha NDAR) A91-01 12.55 A91-02 13.09 A91-03 11.78 A91-04 3.82 Riverdale Precinct Total 41.24 53.0ha (756.99ha NDAR) Wyndham North Total (Using latest PSP/DCP figures)

184.94 185.2ha (2645.68ha NDAR)

Sporting Reserve Land Requirement (ha)

Oakbank A88-01 / (A5) 11.0 A88-02 / (A6) 15.8 A88-03 / (A7) 15.0 A88-04 / (A8) 13.3 55.1 Tarneit North A89-01 / (A9) 17.5 A89-02 / (A12) 10.0 A89-03 / (A10) 15.0 A89-04 / (A11) 12.9 55.4 Truganina A90-01 / (A13) 13.1 A90-02 / (A14) 17.0 A90-03 / (A16) 12.11 A90-04 / (A15) 11.6 53.8 Riverdale A91-01 / (A2) 12.5 A91-02 / (A3) 15.2 A91-03 / (A4) 12.5 (only 0.7ha POS) A91-04 / (A1) 3.8 44.0 TOTAL 208.3 (1.8ha/1000)

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6.5 Overall Comparison of Active Open Space Provision Standards

Table 13: Active Open Space Provision Calculations from Varying Sources

Reference Document

Truganina (ha)

Riverdale (ha)

Wyndham North (ha)

Ha/1000 for Wyndham North

PCIGA (2ha/1000)

52.98

68.08

233.4

2.0

PCIGA (Distribution)

53.2 – 53.4

69.2 – 69.5

235.05 – 236.18

2.01 – 2.02

WOSS (2003) (2ha/1000)

52.98

68.08

233.37

2.0

WSIP 2040 (2012) *

53.6

43.9

208

1.78

WIOSTP

61.4 - 62.2

65.1 – 65.9

254.49 – 257.71

2.18 – 2.21

PSPs / DCP

45.4

(1.71ha/1000)

41.24

(1.21ha/1000)

184.94

1.58

* Using MPA’s current AOS layout for Riverdale which is undersupplied in AOS reserves to meet population, and passive open space component only incorporated into active open space when not already co-located.

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7. Analysis Criteria for Active Open Space

In order to assess the adequacy of proposed active open space provision in the Riverdale and Truganina Precinct Structure Plans, I performed the following analysis:

7.1 Sporting Facility Provision Requirement based on Projected Population

The projected population of the Wyndham North PSP’s (using population projections in the Exhibition PSP’s for Truganina & Riverdale, Agency PSP for Tarneit North and Exhibition DCP for Oakbank) was assessed against the WSIPF 2040 (2012 Update) indicative community infrastructure demand (outdoor sport) to adequately provide for the 15 outdoor sports with the highest participation rates (refer to table 10) While the MPA plans open space facilities for only the top 5 participation sports, councils are generally required to plan for the top 15. The top 6 – 15 sports are sports that are generally provided at the type of active open space facility being planned for the top 5 sports but are of a lower participation rate that only merits the provision of facilities over a much broader catchment such as hockey or rugby union. If the PSP Active Open Space facilities such as the ones currently under consideration are not adequate to provide for the top 6 – 15 sports in association with the top 5, this simply embeds a further level of under provision into the sporting infrastructure of the community. On that basis, I have also had regard to what is reasonably required also to accommodate the top 6 – 15 sports. The proposed sporting infrastructure distribution was assessed against the current and planned sporting provision in adjacent developed/developing areas, the proposed sporting provision within the Wyndham West Planning area and the location of a number of sports outside of the Municipality. Wyndham’s sporting club viability requirements were also considered to establish the most appropriate sporting infrastructure numbers and placements.

This approach was taken because a planning process that only focusses on the immediate sporting needs of a subject PSP will result in an under supply of sporting infrastructure across the total growth area, in particular sports with lower participation rates than AFL, cricket, soccer, tennis and netball than an approach that considers sporting needs across the sub-municipal & municipal level. The number of oval/fields co-located to achieve sporting club viability was also a significant consideration. This process determined that the sporting provision to be placed across the Wyndham North area as follows: Table 15: Proposed Sporting Infrastructure on each active open space reserve in Wyndham North Sporting Reserve Sporting Provision

Oakbank A88-01 / (A5) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

1 x BMX track A88-02 / (A6) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

4 x Soccer fields A88-03 / (A7) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

3 x Soccer fields 12 x Tennis courts

A88-04 / (A8) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 4 x Lawn Bowls greens 1 x Archery

Tarneit North A89-01 / (A9) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

4 x Baseball fields A89-02 / (A12) 4 x Softball fields

2 x Touch Football fields

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A89-03 / (A10) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals A89-04 / (A11) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

3 x Soccer fields 1 x BMX

Truganina A90-01 / (A513) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

2 x Rugby League fields A90-02 / (A514) 3 x AFL/Cricket ovals

3 x Soccer Fields A90-03 / (A516) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

15 x Tennis courts 8 x Netball courts

A90-04 / (A15) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 2 x Touch Football fields

Riverdale A91-01 / (A2) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals

2 x Hockey fields 12 x Tennis courts

A91-02 / (A3) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 3 x Soccer fields 9 x Netball courts

A91-03 / (A4) 2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 2 x Ruby Union fields

A91-04 / (A1) NIL – Community Provision (1 x Junior AFL/Cricket ovals)

7.2 Fit-for-Purpose Assessment Criteria 7.2.1 Location It is critical to ensure that active open space reserves within the urban environment are not only located to be easily accessed by the surrounding community and equitability located within the precinct so that 95% of all residents are within 1km of the active open space, but also that surrounding land uses are not adversely affected by the ultimate uses within the reserve and vice versa. 7.2.2 Size The size of the intended parcel of active open space will directly correlate with its ability to function for its intended use. Therefore, it is essential that the active open space is able to accommodate the spatial requirements for the intended sporting provision and associated infrastructure. To enable this and to provide for economies of scale, it has been determined that active open space reserves of 10ha + are required within the PSP areas. 7.2.3 Shape Irregularly shaped active open spaces are generally less adaptable in terms of the range and long term viability of the sporting opportunities that may be planned for that site into the future. Rectangular shaped active open spaces are the most appropriate desired shape as they offer the greatest flexibility. Flexibility is particularly important in long-term planning, because there is potential for significant changes in sporting provision demands as new sporting trends emerge in the intervening years between land allocation and construction. 7.2.4 Topography The existing gradient of land will determine the suitability of the site for its intended function. For active open spaces, on land of a gradient greater than 1:60, construction costs for bulk earthworks,

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retaining, access provisions & safety increases significantly due to the altered landform and the need to terrace the active open space. 7.2.5 Aspect/Orientation The orientation of outdoor playing areas is an important planning consideration; with the best common orientation being north-south, with 15 deg east of north being the optimum. This takes into account solar orientation in summer and winter, the time of day and the desire to share the advantage/disadvantage equally of the sun’s direction between both teams. 1 7.2.6 Multi-functional & Adaptable Active open spaces that are designed to cater for multiple recreational opportunities and are co-located in close proximity to community hubs generally encourage greater use from a wider cross-section of the community. Designing for multi-functionality requires consideration of:

both the physical and operational requirements of the intended use and how they can be accommodated within the site;

possible impacts of the intended use on adjoining land uses and vice versa; the inclusion of enough ancillary land area so that adaptation to the changing communities

requirements can take place; impacts upon design of topography, cultural & heritage features; internal & external passive surveillance requirements; location of shared facilities and infrastructure, and; adaptable landscapes that can be altered if required.

7.3 Other Considerations 7.3.1 Co-location with Schools Wyndham City Council encourages co-location of active open space with educational facilities. In order to achieve a two way benefit, DEECD needs to provide adequate open space for both curricular (sport/PE lessons – in the form of an oval/pitch) and grass dispersal space for play/lunchtime/break use which are irrigated and maintained to a standard to allow community use. Currently all suitable sporting infrastructure on schools within Wyndham (except for Heathdale Glen Orden as described earlier) are non-complying for use by community sporting organisations. Council would prefer DEECD adopt this provision standard and complementary maintenance regimes to allow broader use of school facilities that adjoin Council’s active open space reserves. Council will give priority to its sporting community and residents over schools in the allocation of natural turf areas for the optimal 20-24 hours of use per week. 7.3.2 Co-location with Community Centres Co-location of community centres with active open space reserves within Wyndham can have significant positive outcomes in relation to being able to share facilities such as parking, offering greater surveillance of the reserve when not programed for sporting use, and for the community centre to offer programs / lease rooms to particular groups (Scouts etc) that can utilise the adjoining open space for their programming. In the past, with the integration of these two facilities effectively on the one site, changing regulations (larger kinder rooms / outdoor space) and programming demands (men’s sheds, community gardens) has / will result in the need for community centres to require additional land, and thus expanding into land set aside for active open space. 7.3.3 Environmental Factors 1 Sports Dimension Guide for Playing Areas, 2008, Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia

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Waterways – Melbourne Water requires a minimum 20m clearance from the defined waterway edge to any construction. 100 Year flood Line – Playing surfaces (Grassed, synthetic and hard) to be constructed 300mm and pavilions 600mm above the 100 year flood line. Environmentally significant areas - are classed as encumbered for the purposes of active open space and cannot be included as part of the AOS allocation. Nor should any buffer requirements associated with these areas impact on or prevent the logical location of sporting infrastructure if located adjacent. 7.3.4 Infrastructure Factors Easements/Hazards - Easements, particularly with above or underground utilities, access ways, landfill, contamination, buffer zones around certain industries etc. should be classed as encumbered land. These elements need to be considered in the AOS design and may prevent its location on, or near, these hazards. Pavilions - Pavilions need to be consistent with the facility provision (rooms / storage etc) and size requirements as set out in Wyndham’s Outdoor Facility Development Guidelines. Pavilions should ideally be placed between oval/fields in order to service 2 ovals/fields / sports at the same time. Pavilions are to be co-located with car parking, viewing areas and playground. Car Parking - Car parking is required at the set ratio and construction as per Wyndham’s Outdoor Facility Development Guidelines. Overflow parking should be comfortably facilitated in side streets. Street Access - Sufficient street access is required to facilitate arrival & departure of the peak expected users / visitors travelling by car (as per Wyndham’s Outdoor Facility Development Guidelines) without significantly impacting on amenity for local residents. It is preferred that the reserve abuts streets on as many sides as possible to allow for as much on street parking as possible for peak use period. Active Transport - Active open spaces are to be strategically located to capitalise on / facilitate active transport linkages. Public Transport - Active open spaces are preferably located on public transport routes or within 800m of public transport routes /stops. Associated Passive Open Space - A proportion of active open space (1 – 2ha, Wyndham Interim Open Space Policy) must be suitable for passive open space to cater for passive / social recreation opportunities, except when a passive open space reserve is co-located with active open space reserve. These embellishments should include, but not limited to a playground, seating, picnic tables & facilities to ensure greater use and appreciation of the AOS by the broader local community. Passive open space to be located in reasonable proximity to the pavilion. Landscaping – Tree planting is required at goal ends where they are located in proximity to items at risk (i.e. roads, school, community centres, carparking), along reserve boundaries wherever possible and within the reserve where appropriate to improve the visual amenity of the facility. Open Spaces are frequently one of the few locations in modern subdivision where significant size canopy trees can be located.

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8. Analysis of the Precinct Structure Plans Nominated Active Open Space Reserves

Assessing the active open space reserves as nominated within the Precinct Structure Plans has been performed at desk top level, as all nominated active open space reserves remain under private ownership. Visualisation of some of the reserves was possible from nearby public roads, but with many this was not possible. To Council's knowledge, no specific Cultural Heritage Management Plans have been undertaken for any of the active open space reserves by the Metropolitan Planning Authority. However, Archaeological & Heritage Management Solutions (AHMS) undertook a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North, which identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of the Werribee River, David Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek. A total of 51 Aboriginal places were identified in the precinct, of which the bulk is located in close proximity to the above waterways. A number of active open space reserves are located adjacent to these watercourses. On November 27, 2013 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria updated its GIS mapping of cultural heritage sensitivity areas for Wyndham. This mapping shows additional areas which directly affect active open space reserves in currently planned in Riverdale (A91-02) and Tarneit North (A89-04), in addition the MPA proposed reserve (A88-02) when shifted to the SP AusNet easement in Oakbank, would then be located upon an area of mapped cultural sensitivity (see Appendix 1). No detailed topographical survey plans have been supplied to date by the Metropolitan Planning Authority. 0.5m contour CAD plans were supplied by MPA to Wyndham City Council on 12 March 2013. 8.1 Riverdale Undersupply of AOS

The early planning undertaken by the MPA of the active open space reserves within Riverdale indicated to Council that there would be an undersupply of sporting land. Council believed an agreement had been reached between Council and the MPA whereby the undersupply would remain in Riverdale, so long as that undersupply was to be located within the Truganina PSP area in order to bolster the sporting infrastructure in that area to assist in the retrofitting of sporting provision for established Truganina as Council had purchased a large parcel of land within Riverdale & Oakbank PSP area to retrofit some of the shortfall in sporting infrastructure existing Wyndham, and it was felt that new residents within Riverdale would be able to utilise these sporting reserves. With the subsequent release of the Agency and then Exhibition PSP’s for Riverdale and Truganina, the Agency PSP for Tarneit North and the Exhibition DCP for Wyndham West, it became evident that the undersupply of Riverdale’s active open space was being distributed amongst the remaining three PSP areas. This is illustrated in Table 17 below. Table 17: Active Open Space Provision in Riverdale and Truganina PSP’s. PSP Area 7% NDAR AOS

requirement (ha) Delivered as per PSP/DCP (latest figure used)

Undersupply/surplus (ha)

Riverdale (Ex PSP) 53 41.24 -11.79 Truganina (Ex PSP) 40 45.40 +5.4 Tarneit North (Ag PSP)

45 47.8 +2.8

Oakbank (Ex DCP) 47.3 50.5 +2.7 TOTAL 185.3 184.94 -0.89 unaccounted

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When Council realised that this under provision of active open space was not being wholly located within the Truganina PSP, the issue was raised with the MPA. The MPA subsequently denied that any such agreement took place. In an email dated March 8, 2013 to Kelly Archibald (Council’s Strategic Planner) to discuss open space changes/additions proposed by me within the Riverdale PSP, Dane Logan stated “The additional reserve proposed within the south-eastern corner of the precinct removed at the direct request of Lois Binnie and the additional contribution used to service an underprovided area south of the Regional Rail Link in PSP 90.” As can been seen in Table 17 above, less than half Riverdale’s under provision of active open space has been located in Truganina. If Council is unsuccessful in its submission for 2ha/1000people of active open space to be the provision standard, Council requests that the full 11.79 ha of undersupplied active open space from Riverdale be allocated to the Truganina PSP with Council and the MPA to jointly engage in the planning of the most suitable location and reserve configuration. 8.2 Previous Wyndham North Reserve Analysis

Council has engaged in network planning the active open space reserves across Wyndham North from mid-2012 within the planning phase of the PSP development. An assessment of the active open space reserves was then undertaken by me in February 2013 upon the release of the Agency PSP’s for Truganina and Riverdale and the Agency DCP for Wyndham North. This early network analysis for sporting requirements and reserve fit-for-purpose was possible for Wyndham North because the Agency PSP and DCP documents included an indicative land budget, active open space reserve information and most particularly, population predictions for the whole planning region. This allowed Council to assess the network and engage with MPA soon after Agency release about expected sport infrastructure demand and fit-for-purpose issues it could foresee in the active open space layout across the planning region. Council subsequently mapped the sporting infrastructure demand of the expected population of Wyndham North to try and achieve better fit-for-purpose reserves for Wyndham North. The indicative land requirement was 190.5ha to achieve very ‘tight’ fit-for-purpose reserves, based on an expected population of 108,336 people across the Wyndham North region and Council’s previous oval/field buffer requirements. The MPA subsequently maintained its position that all bar two reserves remain in their current location in order to achieve the desired urban design objectives. It should be noted that Council does not necessarily disagree with these objectives, however, considers that to achieve fit-for-purpose reserves (i.e. reserves that can fit the required sporting infrastructure given their constraints - road network, environmental features, encumbrances, heritage features and co-location with community facilities/schools etc), more land is required to achieve this. Council's mapping indicated that 188.6ha was required. This reduction in area from previous Council mapping was due to Wyndham North’s lacrosse provision being moved and incorporated into Wyndham West to achieve a lacrosse facility that could viably sustain a club (2 fields) and the 7.9ha Council land contribution to Riverdale being removed. The result was that this provision requirement was 9.5ha above what was indicated within the Agency DCP. Upon the release of the Exhibition PSP’s for Truganina and Riverdale, the Agency PSP for Tarneit North and the Exhibition DCP for Oakbank, it became apparent that the expected population across the Wyndham North region had increased by 7.71% to 116,684 (an additional 8,347 people.) While preparing for the Ballan Road and Westbrook PSP Panel Hearings, Council also become aware of MAV Insurance’s (Council’s insurer) Best Practice Manual – Risks in Sporting Reserves, November 2011, which recommends increased sporting field buffers where adjoining land uses that have the potential to pose risk of injury from errant balls, particularly adjacent land frequented by children, the elderly or where errant balls landing on high traffic/high speed roads has the potential to create a significant incident ie. multiple vehicle accident.

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8.3 Current Reserve Analysis The following assessment of Wyndham North specifically reflected in Truganina and Riverdale PSP’s active open space reserves is directly correlated to the sporting demand of the top 15 outdoor sports for the population as proposed, MPA’s reluctance to move the reserves to achieve better fit-for-purpose and Council’s policies, guidelines, industry/insurance providers best practice standards. 8.3.1 Truganina Precinct Structure Plan

Within the Truganina Precinct Structure Plan, four (4) active open spaces are proposed. The geographical location of the active open spaces within the Future Urban Structure Plan is identified in Plan 2 of the Precinct Structure Plan document (see figure 3 below). Figure 3: Future Urban Structure, Ballan Road PSP

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These active open spaces are identified and described in the Open Space Delivery Guide in the Precinct Structure Plan document as described in Table 18 below. Table 18: Open Space Delivery Guide – Active Open Space Reserves

MPA Proposed AOS Plan Legend (all reserves.) Figure 4: MPA map legend

Park ID Size (HA) Unencumbered

Park Function

Location & Other Attributes Responsibility

A 90-01 11.00 Active Recreation/Heritage

Located adjacent Skeleton Crook and incorporating Robertson Farm heritage site. Opportunity for heritage to be adaptively re-used as part of a Community Garden.

WC

A 90-02 11.87 Active Recreation

Located between Woods Road and Forsyth Road. Intended to provide additional amenity to adjacent employment areas.

WC


Located between existing government roadway, Skeleton Creek, Rail line and Morris Road. Adjoins Skeleton Creek heritage conservation area. Dry-stone wall on northern boundary to be retained. Recommended location for a regional Playground.

WC


Located between water easement and rail line. At the termination of Woods Road.

WC

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8.3.1.1 Active Open Space Reserve A90-01 Proposed Reserve Proposed active open space reserve A90-01 is illustrated in Figure 3 below.

Figure 5 & 6: Active Open Space A90-01, Truganina PSP I have analysed A 90-01 in Table 19 below. Table 19: Open Space Analysis A90-01 Open Space Reserve Analysis A90-01 Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 2 x Rugby League fields 3 x Cricket nets 2 x pavilions 180 (6 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

North west of the precinct area, between branches of Skeleton Creek to the east and west, Robertson Farm to the north west. Government Primary School is located also to the north west.

Size

11.00 ha

Shape

6 sided reserve constrained by its L shape, 2 boundaries adjacent waterway which are angled, heritage precinct to the west, dry stone wall “with potential for retention” running east west bisecting the north of the reserve. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation Able to achieve north south orientation.

Sports Field Dimensioning Figure 5 in PSP indicate full-size AFL fields with 20m buffers. The eastern oval buffers are within the waterway setback. Provision required is Rugby League while Soccer fields (League

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requirement is 16m longer and 4m wider) are indicated without adequate buffer areas.

Multi-Functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. Constrained site will limit adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves may result in inefficient use of space. MPA’s mapping has oval boundary on edge of waterway, with buffer areas within the waterway with the principle active transport path within 10m of the field of play. Medium level of risk as adjacent pedestrian/bike path and residential street.

Co-location with Schools / Community Centres

Government Primary School is located to the north west of the reserve. There is no indication of co-sharing of sporting open space and indicative building locations would indicate inadequate room for such adjacent the AOS

Infrastructure Factors Pavilions and parking The reserve is bound on 2 sides with waterway/heritage area, greatly reducing the availability of on street parking for times of peak usage. Active transport Principle bike network path is indicated along the waterway to the east of the reserve and MPA mapping indicate it will be located within the AFL/Cricket 20m buffer area, approx. 10m from field of play. Off road shared path south of the reserve has been indicated along with on-road bike lane and pedestrian path (Cross-Section 5). Clarification is required from the MPA regarding this. The shared off-road path will be within approx. 10m of the field of play. Off road bike path has also been indicated along the northern boundary connecting with the principle bike network. This path on MPA’s indicative plan is within approx. 15m of the field of play. Passive Open Space As Robertson’s Farm will effectively be associated with the reserve, no additional passive open space will be required other than what can be achieve as remnant land.

Heritage Considerations Dry Stone Wall Agency PSP indicated NO dry stone walls within the reserve (just adjacent on the Robertson Farm Complex). MPA encouraged any alteration to reserve to occur north and not south as Council had mapped. Exhibition PSP indicates dry stone wall “with potential for retention” bisecting the northern section of the reserve. Council now requires a permit for its removal. Council’s guidelines for the retention of dry stone walls within the urban environment require a 2.5m landscape buffer either side of the wall to discourage public interaction with these walls.

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Aboriginal Cultural Heritage AHMS undertook, on behalf of the MPA, a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. Reserve is located with waterway on both eastern and part of the western boundary. No Registered AAV site recorded onsite, but the waterway corridor adjacent is moderate to high with very high in part sensitivity area.

Recommended Reserve A90-01 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A90-01 is illustrated in Figure 7 below. Figure 7: recommended Active Open Space Reserve for A90-01

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Table 20: A90-01 Council Recommendation on Reserve Location/Configuration

Sports Field Dimensioning

Senior playing surfaces are to be designed for all circumstances to avoid inappropriate use of junior playing fields by senior players. Senior ovals can be temporarily line marked and goaled for junior games.

Sporting infrastructure dimension standards as per the Sport Dimension Guide For Playing Areas: Sport and Recreation Facilities (2008), Department of Sport & Recreation, Government of Western Australia and the Siting Standards from the Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure Section 24 – Sportsground Design , Edition 2, Revision 2. Territory and Municipal Services, Australian Capital Territory Government as referenced in Best Practice Manual – Risks in Sporting Reserves, November 2011, MAV Insurance Liability Mutual Insurance.

Threats Additional car parking may be required to accommodate peak car parking requirements due to the eastern park boundary is Skeleton Creek.

Reserves’ location adjacent to waterway and within a moderate to high sensitivity area for the discovery of Aboriginal artefacts. Complex CHMP will be required.

Open Space Recommendation A90-01

Size & Shape Move the AOS north to Property # 120772. It appears that 2 of the 3 owners of this property also own the property where the reserve was originally located. No 96a application is proposed for this site. The site has no registered AAV sites, although it does pose a moderate to high level of risk having regard to the adjacent waterway. This active open space reserve should be increased in size and reshaped to accommodate the required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation area and associated infrastructure.

Total size required 13.1ha to meet minimum fit-for-purpose standards. This site has been increased by 0.2ha and relocated since last mapping performed on 24 May 2013 due to recent permit requirement for the removal of dry stone walls. Advice received from Statutory Planning indicated that a permit being granted for the removal of a highly significant dry stone wall would not be likely.

Location Move active open space north so that the dry stone wall is located on the southern boundary of the reserve.

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8.3.1.2 Active Open Space Reserve A90-02 Proposed Reserve Proposed active open space A90-02 is illustrated in Figure x below.

Figure 8 & 9: Active Open Space A90-02, Truganina PSP I have analysed A90-02 in Table 21 below. Table 21: Open Space Analysis A90-02 Open Space Reserve Analysis A90-02Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

3 x AFL/Cricket ovals 3 x Soccer fields 3 x Cricket Nets 2 x Pavilions 200 (9 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

North east of the precinct. West of Forsyth Road and north of proposed Truganina Rail Station.

Size

11.87ha

Shape

Reserve is 5 sided. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation North south orientation for MPA’s proposed AFL/Cricket. Tennis provision is not within desired orientation.

Sports Field Dimensioning Ovals and fields appear to be full-size. 20m buffer area for AFL appears to overlap the road reserve.

Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves result in inefficient use of space.


Government Primary School is located to the west of the reserve, separated by a connector street. There is little to no opportunity to

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share sporting open space, if supplied by DEECD.

Environmental Factors

Council mapped grassland is present south of the reserve.

Infrastructure Factors Passive Open Space Programmed area appears on plan which may be suitable for passive open space.

Heritage Considerations Dry Stone Wall Agency and exhibition PSP indicates dry stone wall “to be retained” within and along the western boundary of the reserve. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage AHMS undertook on behalf of the MPA a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. Reserve is located within a low sensitivity area and highly unlikely of requiring a complex assessment..

Recommended Reserve A90-02 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A90-02 is illustrated in Figure 10 below. Figure 10: Recommended active open space layout for A90-02

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Size & Shape Increase active open space reserve to accommodate required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation and associated infrastructure.

Total size required working with MPA’s desired urban structure: 17.0ha to meet minimum fit-for-purpose standards.

This has increased by 3.8ha since Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping in order to provide an addition ALF/Cricket oval to service the increased population.

Location Reserve remains in MPA’s desired location.


Senior playing surfaces are to be designed for in all circumstances to avoid inappropriate use of junior playing fields by senior players. Senior ovals can be temporarily line marked and goaled for junior games.


Threats Dry stone wall for retention on reserves western boundary – unconfirmed if wall is to be located within road reserve or active open space. Unconfirmed at this stage which side of the road will be widened.

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Figure 11 & 12: Active Open Space A90-03, Truganina PSP I have analysed A90-03 in Table 23 below. Table 23: Open Space Analysis A90-03 Open Space Reserve Analysis A90-03 Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 15 x Tennis Courts 8 x Netball Courts 3 x Cricket nets 2 x Pavilions 180 (9accessible) x car parking bays

Location

South west of the precinct. North of the RRL, east of Morris Road overpass, west of waterway and ‘potential heritage protection zone’.

Size

12.11ha

Shape

5 sided reserve constrained by its L shape, 1 boundary adjacent to waterway, heritage precinct to the west, dry stone wall to the north, Morris road overpass to the east and RRL to the south. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation Reserve is able to accommodate field/ovals orientated correctly.

Sports Field Dimensioning Proposed sporting fields appear to be full size but with only 20m buffer areas to AFL fields and minimal to soccer.

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Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate MPA proposed sporting infrastructure. Constrained site will limit the adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves result in inefficient use of space. MPA’s mapping has oval buffer areas overlapping rail corridor and roads. Medium level of risk as adjacent pedestrian/bike path and residential street.


A Government Secondary School is located to the north of the reserve with a connector road in between. There is no indication of co-sharing of sporting open space.

Infrastructure Factors Parking The reserve is bound on 3 sides with the waterway/heritage area, RRL & Morris Road (4lane arterial), greatly reducing the availability of on street parking for times of peak usage. Active transport Principle bike network path is indicated along the RRL to the south of the reserve and west along the waterway. This infrastructure has been confirmed to be included within the active open space reserve. Off road shared path to the north is also to be located within the sporting reserve. Passive Open Space Programmed area appears on MAP’s plan which may be suitable for passive open space.

Heritage Considerations Dry Stone Walls Agency and exhibition PSP indicates dry stone wall “to be retained” on the northern boundary of the reserve. Council now requires a permit for its removal. Council’s guidelines for the retention of dry stone walls within the urban environment require a 2.5m landscape buffer either side of the wall to discourage public interaction with these walls, but a negotiated 1.5m buffer has been agreed to by Council and half the dry stone wall and buffer will be included in the reserve. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage AHMS undertook on behalf of the MPA a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. This reserve is adjacent one of the most heritage significant areas within the PSP and part of the reserve is within AHMS’s recommended Aboriginal Conservation Area.

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Recommended Reserve A90-03 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A90-03 is illustrated in Figure 4, and the proposed Section 96a application in figure 13. Figure 13: Recommended active open space reserve for A90-03 Figure 14: Proposed developer 96a application incorporating A90-03.

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Size & Shape To accommodate half a rock wall, a 1.5m buffer, a tree, and a shared path as indicated in cross section 9 of the PSP, 6.3m is required within the sporting reserve that cannot be located within the oval buffer area. In order for this infrastructure, the oval needs to be shifted south and the western oval also adjusted south. Risk minimisation measures need to be undertaken on the southern goal end of this reserve as the principle bike network path will be within the required buffer area of 40m. Total size required working with MPA’s desired urban structure: 12.1ha to meet minimum fit-for-purpose standards.

This site has measured 0.21ha BELOW the MPA provision. This inconsistency may be due to the inaccuracies of CAD plan or the extra land required for left turning land from Morris Road.





Threats The 96a application lodged for this site has also indicated a wetland within the AOS reserve in the south west adjacent to the waterway and a proposed squaring off of the connector road, which will result in a reduction of area in an already very constrained area which will lead to the inability to fit the sporting provision required. Additional car parking may be required to accommodate peak car parking requirements due to the park being bound by Skeleton Creek, the Morris Road overpass and RRL.

Reserves location adjacent Skeleton Creek in a known area for Aboriginal Places and in part is located within AHMS’s nominated Aboriginal Conservation Area makes it of very high risk for the discovery of Aboriginal artefacts. Complex CHMP will be required and results may jeopardise all or part of the reserve being developed into a sporting facility.

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Figure 15: Active Open Space A90-04, Truganina PSP I have analysed A90-04 in Table 25 below. Table 25: Open Space Analysis A90-04 Open Space Reserve Analysis A90-04 Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 2 x Touch football fields 3 x Cricket nets 2 x Pavilions 160 (6 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

South east of the precinct. South of the RRL, north of the gas easement

Size

10.42ha

Shape

7 sided reserve constrained by the RRL to the north and gas easement to the south. With the intrusion of a Council Community Facility on the eastern boundary. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation Able to achieve north south sporting orientation

Sports Field Dimensioning There is no indicative sporting provision placed on this reserve within the PSP

Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. Constrained site may limit adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves result in inefficient use of space.


Council Community Centre and Government Primary School are located on one of the eastern boundaries. There is no indication of

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Recommended Reserve A90-04 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A90-04 is illustrated in Figure 4 and developer 96a planning permit application in figure 16 below.

Figure 16: Recommended Active open Space reserve for A90-04

co-sharing of sporting open space.

Infrastructure Factors Parking The reserve is bounded on its northern edge by the RRL, thus reducing the availability of on street parking for times of peak usage. Active transport Principle bike network path is indicated on the northern side of the RRL with a pedestrian and bike bridge landing within the active open space reserve. This infrastructure with the required ramp gradients to achieve clearance of the rail line will require a significant footprint of land which has not been allowed for within the reserve. Confirmation from MPA is required as to placement of this infrastructure. Passive Open Space No indicative site plan available to assess.

Heritage Considerations Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Reserve is located within low sensitivity area.

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Figure 17: Proposed developer 96a application incorporating A90-04. Table 26: A90-04 Council Recommendation on Reserve Location/Configuration


Size & Shape Increase active open space reserve to accommodate required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation and associated infrastructure by relocating Community Facility to another location.


This has increased by 1.2ha since Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping in order to provide adequate buffer areas to MAV design guidelines.





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8.3.2 Riverdale Precinct Structure Plan

Within the Riverdale Precinct Structure Plan, four (4) active open spaces are proposed. These active open spaces are identified and described in the Open Space Delivery Guide in the Precinct Structure Plan document as described in Table 27 below. Table 27: Open Space Delivery Guide – Active Open Space Reserves

The geographical locations of these active open spaces within the Future Urban Structure Plan is identified in Plan 2 of the Precinct Structure Plan document (see figure x below).

Park ID Size (HA) Unencumbered

Park Function Location & Other Attributes Responsibility


Located adjacent Growling Grass Frog Conservation Area and forming part of the Werribee river open space corridor.

WC


Located across property 91-NO-01, 91-No-02 and 91-NO-03. Provides an open space link between the two tributaries of Davis Creek.

WC


Located as shown on Plan 4, at the termination of four connector roads. Recommended location for the co-location Community Garden, adjacent the Davis Road South local town centre.

WC


Urban active open space containing a single oval/sporting field, with a community use focus.

WC

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Figure 18: Riverdale Future Urban Structure

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8.3.2.1 Active Open Space Reserve A91-01 Proposed Reserve

Figure 19: Active Open Space A91-01, Truganina PSP I have analysed A91-01 in Table 28 below. Table 28: Open Space Analysis A91-01 Open Space Reserve Analysis A91-01 Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 2 x Hockey fields (1 from Wyn West) 12 x Tennis courts 2 x pavilions 230 (9 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

South west of the precinct. North and east of the Werribee River. Partly located within Werribee Township Regional Park

Size

12.55ha Unknown (No associated Open Space Delivery Guide supplied – presume 12.55ha)

Shape

7+ sided reserve dictated heavily by GGF conservation are and proposed road network. This multisided reserve will result in inefficiencies of site design. 10 sided reserve dictated heavily by the GGF conservation area and proposed road network. This multisided reserve will result in inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation Able to achieve sporting infrastructure to be in a north south orientation

Sports Field Dimensioning Figure 4 in PSP indicates full-size AFL fields with 20m buffers. No sporting provision has been indicated in revised shaped reserve.

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Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. PSO-02 was to be incorporated into the park at 1.8ha (WCC/MPA discussions after Agency PSP) but only 0.4ha passive park was incorporated. WCC has indicated objection to smaller allocation for what was to be designated ‘District’ level passive park and with its placement ‘wedged’ between the community facility and the tennis courts, allowing limited connection with the reserve and limits passive surveillance from within the sporting reserve. Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure in current configuration and with the passive open space remaining in configuration indicated. Constrained site which can limit adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves result in inefficient use of space.


Council community facility is co-located inappropriately within the site. Council recommended moving the community facility to the north, adjacent the convenience centre. Council community facility is located adjacent the convenience centre to the north.


Environmentally Significant Area Very close proximity to the proposed GGF conservation area. At the time of writing this report only the Conservation Management Plan for Conservation Area 14 – Growling Grass Fog corridors (south) (Oct 2013) by DEPI was available. It indicated that “the conservation area boundary is proposed to be changed slightly from that shown in the BSC, primarily as a result of local topography, existing features and drainage and management considerations.” The CMP further stated that a Growling Grass Frog Masterplan will be undertaken by DEPI to determine the priority locations for delivery of constructed Growling Grass Frog wetlands. Within the notes on the mapping performed for Ballan Rd & Westbrook PSP’s, # 5 “Infrastructure associated with low intensity passive recreation, such as built structures, hard surfaces, paths, lighting and mulched areas, must be placed a minimum of 30m from the edge of the Primary Conservation Zone and outside the tree protection zone of scattered trees, unless shown on this plan. Lighting must be designed and baffled to prevent light spill and glare into this zone.” There is no such recommendation for high intensity active recreation in proximity to the Primary Conservation Zone. Lighting used for active open space reserves is generally in the range of 100 – 200 lux, the difference being for grass vs synthetic surfaces.

Infrastructure Factors Parking The reserve is bound on 2 sides by the Werribee River Conservation Area thus greatly reducing the availability of on street parking for times of peak usage. Active transport Principle bike network path is indicated along the Werribee River

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south and west of the reserve. Ultimate location is unknown, but the path must be no less than 40 m from goal lines and 30m from side boundaries.

Heritage Considerations Aboriginal cultural Heritage AHMS undertook on behalf of the MPA a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. The reserve is located within a moderate sensitivity area, but adjacent to a very high sensitivity area with known AAV registered sites within 100m of the reserve boundary.

Recommended Reserve A91-01 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A91-01 is illustrated in Figure 21 below.

Figure 20: Recommended active open space reserve layout

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Size & Shape Increase the provision of passive open space to 1.8ha as previously discussed. Locate the community centre north of the reserve and accommodate required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation and associated infrastructure.

Total size required working with MPA’s desired urban structure: 11.9ha to meet minimum fit-for-purpose standards. This is a 0.1ha increase from Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping. Reconfigure the reserve to accommodate the required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, while maintaining the 1.8ha district passive open space at the terminus of the boulevard connector road, and associated infrastructure.


This is a 0.7ha increase from Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping.

Location Reserve remains in MPA desired location.




Threats The reserve is located adjacent Werribee River, a ‘very high sensitivity’ area, and thereby presents a much higher risk of discovering Aboriginal artefacts. Complex CHMP will be required. Reserve’s location is adjacent the GGF conservation area – the extent of which is not yet finalised, nor setback requirements stipulated for intensive active recreation uses adjacent. Additional car parking may be required to accommodate peak car parking requirements, due to a lack of roads on the reserves southern and western boundary. This may be accommodated if the Werribee Township Park visitor centre is located adjacent.

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Figure 21 & 22: Active Open Space A91-02, Truganina PSP I have analysed A91-02 in Table 30 below. Table 30: Open Space Analysis A91-02 Open Space Reserve Analysis A91-02 Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket ovals 3 x Soccer fields 9 x Netball courts 2 x Cricket nets 2 x Pavilions 230 (9 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

Slightly south/central to the precinct. South of constructed waterway.

Size

13.09ha

Shape

5 sided reserve, constrained by the road layout, possibly the waterway if it cannot be moved and by the heritage windrow of gum trees bisecting the reserve. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect / Orientation Able to achieve sporting infrastructure to be in a north south orientation

Sports Field Dimensioning Figure 5 in PSP indicate full-size AFL fields with 20m buffers.

Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. Constrained site will limit adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided odd shaped reserves result in inefficient use of space.

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Windrow for possible retention runs though the centre of the reserve. Medium level of risk as adjacent residential streets and shared path.


Government Secondary School is located to the south of the reserve with connector road between. There is no indication of co-sharing of sporting open space.


Waterway Constructed waterway along the reserves northern and eastern boundary.

Infrastructure Factors Parking The reserve is bound on 2 sides with waterway, greatly reducing the availability of on street parking for times of peak usage. Active transport Off road shared path is indicated along the waterway to the east of the reserve.

Heritage Considerations Windrow Bisecting the site is a windrow of ‘existing trees with potential for retention’ that severely restricts the placement of sporting infrastructure and reduces the reserves ability to adapt into the future Aboriginal cultural Heritage AHMS undertook on behalf of the MPA a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. The reserve is located within a moderate sensitivity area.

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Recommended Reserve A90-02 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A91-02 is illustrated in Figure 24 below.

Figure 23: Recommended active open space layout Table 31: A91-02 Council Recommendation on Reserve Location/Configuration


Size & Shape Increase active open space reserve to accommodate required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation and associated infrastructure by adjusting the constructed waterway, noting Melbourne Water additional encumbrance.


This is an increase of 2ha in order to an additional netball court, passive open space and sporting buffer zones from Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping.



Senior playing surfaces are to be designed for in all circumstances to avoid the inappropriate use of junior playing fields by senior players. Senior ovals can be temporarily line marked and goaled for junior games.

Sporting infrastructure dimension standards as per the Sport Dimension Guide For Playing Areas: Sport and Recreation Facilities (2008),

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Department of Sport & Recreation, Government of Western Australia and the Siting Standards from the Design Standards for Urban Infrastructure Section 24 – Sportsground Design , Edition 2, Revision 2. Territory and Municipal Services, Australian Capital Territory Government as referenced in Best Practice Manual – Risks in Sporting Reserves, November 2011, MAV Insurance Liability Mutual Insurance.

Threats Reserves’ location adjacent the constructed waterways may result in adverse alterations to its course or its inability to be adjusted, thus reducing the size of the sporting reserve.

Additional car parking may be required to accommodate peak car parking requirements due to a lack of roads on the reserves eastern and northern boundary.

Reserves is located adjacent to a drainage area that is within a moderate sensitivity area for the discovery of Aboriginal artefacts. Complex CHMP will be required.

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8.3.2.3 Active Open Space Reserve A91-03 Proposed Reserve Figure 24: Active Open Space A91-03, Truganina PSP I have analysed A91-03 in Table 32 below. Table 32: Open Space Analysis A91-03 Open Space Reserve Analysis A91-03

Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

2 x AFL/Cricket oval 2 x Rugby Union fields 3 x Cricket nets 2 x Pavilions 180 (6 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

North of the precinct with Davis Creek near its western boundary.

Size

11.78ha

Shape

6 sided reserve configured in a boomerang shape. This will lead to inefficiencies of site design.

Aspect/Orientation Able to achieve sporting infrastructure to be in a north south orientation

Sports Field Dimensioning No reserve plan indicating sporting infrastructure was within the Riverdale PSP.

Multi-functional & Adaptable Reserve cannot accommodate required sporting infrastructure and passive open space component. Constrained site will limit adaptability of the park into the future. Multi-sided boomerang shaped reserves results in inefficient use of space. Medium level of risk as adjacent residential streets.

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Government Primary School is located to the north west of the reserve, with a connector road between. There is no indication of co-sharing of sporting open space, especially given the size of the school site.

Infrastructure Factors Active transport Off road shared path is indicated along the east and south boundary of the reserve.

Heritage Considerations Aboriginal Cultural Heritage AHMS undertook on behalf of the MPA a standard cultural heritage assessment and complex heritage report for Wyndham North. Results identified that the highest potential for Aboriginal Places exist in close proximity to the watercourses of Werribee River, Davis Creek, Dry Creek and Skeleton Creek, with 51 Aboriginal places revealed in the precinct with the bulk located in close proximity to the mentioned waterways. AHMS recommended further investigations of low to high sensitivity be undertaken to mitigate the risk of discoveries impacting on construction. As this reserve is in close proximity to 2 branches of Davis Creek and deemed within AHMS’s report as being moderate to high sensitivity area and WCC AAV mapping indicated a significant number of sites within close proximity, this reserve represents a significant risk of uncovering Aboriginal artefacts. AAV GIS mapping (Nov 2013) has indicated that part of the oval portion of this reserve is located on an area of newly mapped cultural sensitivity (see appendix 1)

Recommended Reserve A91-03 Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A91-03 is illustrated in Figure 26 below. Figure 25: Recommended active open space layout for A91-03

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Size & Shape Increase active open space reserve to accommodate required sporting provision with appropriate buffer areas, passive recreation and associated infrastructure.


This is an increase of 1.2ha in order to incorporate passive open space and MAV’s recommended sporting buffer zones from Council’s 24 May 2013 mapping.



Senior playing surfaces are to be designed for in all circumstances. Inappropriate use of junior playing fields by senior players. Senior ovals can be temporarily line marked and goaled for junior games.


Threats Reserves’ location in close proximity to Davis Creek and locations of known AAV sites is of a much greater risk of the discovery of Aboriginal artefacts and with AAV confirmation that part of the reserve is in area of cultural sensitivity a complex CHMP will be required.

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Figure 26 & 27: Active Open Space A91-04, Truganina PSP I have analysed A91-04 in Table 34 below. Table 34: Open Space Analysis A91-04 Open Space Reserve Analysis A91-04Sporting Provision & Infrastructure Required (Community Infrastructure Demand – WSIP 2040)

NIL This sporting reserve, will be debited against the land budget for active open space but is for community use only and was included at the specific required of MPA, not Council. No sport programming on this reserve is being counted towards the provision of formal sport within the Wyndham North precinct, because of it intended ‘community use’ status and that the only provision that will fit will be a junior AFL/Cricket field which is unsuitable for organised sport training and play. Infrastructure planned for this site will consist of: 1 x junior AFL/Cricket oval 1 x small pavilion/picnic shelter Approx. 50 (2 accessible) x car parking bays

Location

West of the precinct, approx. 200m south of the proposed town centre.

Size

3.82ha

Shape

Small 5 sided reserve.

Aspect/Orientation Configuration is not ideal and sporting infrastructure is at extreme

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of preferred orientation.

Sports Field Dimensioning Figure 1 (Riverdale Major Town Centre) shows part of the reserve with an AFL oval with no buffer area. Presumed junior in size, knowing size of the reserve.

Multi-functional & Adaptable Limited scope for adaptability or being multifunctional.


Government Primary School is located to the west of the reserve, divided by a connector road. There is no indication of co-sharing of sporting open space nor could there be given the size of the school site.

Infrastructure Factors Parking Approx. 40 car parking bays will be required onsite.

Heritage Considerations Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Appears from AHMS’s mapping to be in a low sensitivity area.

Recommended Reserve Having regard to my analysis, my recommendation in relation to the active open space provision in A91-04 is illustrated in Figure 29 below. Figure 28: Recommended active open space layout for A91-04

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8.3.3 Council Accepted Reserve Risks/Issues

1. No detailed site survey for any AOS has been performed. A 0.5 CAD plan has been supplied by the MPA and if correct indicates acceptable site gradients for all reserves.

2. All reserves have ‘moderate’ contamination risk from previous agricultural use and/or structures onsite and require site inspection to ascertain level of contamination and remediation.

3. Inability to place pavilions between ovals/fields.


Size & Shape Total size required:3.82ha. This remains unchanged from previous mapping.



For community use only. Sporting buffer areas must be accommodated.


Threats Complex CHMP is required even though look to be located in an area of low sensitivity for uncovering Aboriginal artefacts.

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9. Impact on Sporting Provision of Proposed Densities The population predicted for Wyndham North has increased by 7.71% or 8,347 people in the 8 months between the Agency to Exhibition PSP/DCP release as can be seen in the table below. With the recent release of the draft Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy it is proposed within growth areas that a target density of 18 dwelling/ha should be achieved. If this requirement is retrofitted to the Wyndham North planning precinct in its entirety, 16,658 additional people will reside in the planning area, an increase of14.3% and therefore a much higher sporting demand. Table 37: Effect of increasing Population Density and Sporting Infrastructure demand Sporting Infrastructure

Proposed Population Sporting Infrastructure Demand - December 2012

Proposed Population Sporting Infrastructure Demand - August 2013

Proposed Population Sporting Infrastructure Demand - Draft Plan Melbourne

108,339 people

116,684 people

133,342 people (NDAR @18d/ha)

Football (AFL) ovals 27 29 33

Cricket ovals 27 29 33

Soccer fields 16 17 19

Tennis courts 36 39 44

Lawn bowls 16 17 19

Baseball field 3 3 4

Hockey fields 1 2 2

BMX (site) 2 2 3

Lacrosse field 1 1 1

Rugby Union field 2 2 2

Rugby League field 2 2 2

Softball field 4 4 4

Touch Football field 4 4 4

Skate Facility 2 2 3

Archery field 1 1 1

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10. Financial Impacts & DCP Implications The proposed active open space requirement of 233.37 ha across the Wyndham North precinct to supply 2ha of active open space per 1000 people plus additional sporting infrastructure construction cost on increased sporting demand since the Agency DCP, will result in an additional cost (since the Exhibition DCP) to development per dwelling of $530.35 - $704.67, depending on the adopted land value. The DCP figure needs to reflect the increase in both land and construction costs. Table 38: Financial Implication of Increased Active Open Space and its Effect on the DCP and Dwelling Cost. Wyndham

North Sporting Infrastructure Cost

(based on population of 116,684)

Financial Cost @ $350,000/ha

Financial Cost @ $500,000/ha

Cost per Dwelling (41,672)

PCIGA 5,150,000

WOSS (2003)

233.37 5,150,000 16,950,500 24,215,000 $530.35 - $704.67

WSIP 2040 (2012) *

208 5,150,000 7,861,000 11,230,000 $312.22 - $393.07

WIOSTP 254.49 – 257.71

5,150,000 24,342,500 – 25,469,500

34,775,000 - 36,385,000

$707.73 - $996.71

MPA 184.94

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11. Discussion To adequately meet the active recreation needs of future Wyndham North residents, the provision standard for active open space needs to be linked to a need or demand based provision rate for the population, rather than to a percentage of net developable area. A minimum of 2ha per 1000 people is required to achieve fit-for-purpose reserves that meet best practice standards, can cater to a variety of sporting and recreational needs, not just the 5 most commonly played sports, be multi-functional and adaptable into the future plus have the ability to respond to any unforseen issues that arise during design and/or construction. Residential densities typical of Wyndham less than a decade ago was 12 dwelling/ha. Today, communities of 17 dwelling/ha are being constructed and up to19 dwelling/ha have been planned. With the release of the Draft Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy document this month by the Victorian Department of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, the expected minimum density in growth areas is to be increased from a minimum of 15 dwelling/ha to18 dwellings/ha, with areas within the walking catchments of train stations to be even higher. The Truganina and Riverdale PSPs are each proposed to deliver 16 dwelling per residential net developable area. With the minimum density proposed within the Plan Melbourne document of 18 dwelling/ha, these PSP areas will deliver an additional 16,658 people (the equivalent need for 4 additional AFL ovals). In addition, both PSP’s have within their planning area a railway station, with Tarneit Station currently under construction and the planned Riverdale Station some time away. This will have significant impact on catchment densities and likely result in an even higher residential population within Truganina and Riverdale. As has been seen with decreasing lot sizes and multi-story units, private open space has been generally reduced. No longer are there backyards to kick a ball in, or front yards to play catch. Local streets now have a much higher car carrying capacity. Active open spaces are community assets, not only for organised sporting activities, but also for casual/unorganised play and leisure pursuits, of increasing importance as opportunities for play within private and public open space diminish. It is essential that there is adequate quantity and quality of active reserves that are able to sustainably accommodate the organised sporting demand of the community, while also allowing unorganised sporting activities and leisure pursuits to take place within the reserve.

12. Conclusion An important part of planning for a new community is providing for the expected sporting needs of that community. The PSP Guidelines stipulate a percentage of net residential developable area to be set aside for active open space reserves to meet these needs. Since these guidelines were formulated, Wyndham has seen a steady increase in population densities, without a corresponding increase in the percentage of land for active open space. With higher minimum densities supported in the most recent State Government’s draft Plan Melbourne document, without corresponding increase in active open space will result in the delivery of sporting reserves that are inadequate in area to meet the sporting needs of new communities or reserves so tightly programmed that they are not only in breach of insurance best practice standards, but also have no ability to adapt to unexpected scenarios should they arise, or both. To compound this situation, it has been shown that schools rarely contribute to the local community’s active open space network, despite the current desire by DEECD and the MPA to co-locate these facilities for this to be achieved. The Truganina and Riverdale active open space reserves have a number of existing threats to their delivery, which could result in and further jeopardise the delivery of sporting infrastructure. These include:

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Most of the sporting provision nominated where there is a risk of the ball leaving the field of play have inadequate buffer areas and thereby pose a 'medium' to 'extreme' insurance risk.

Aboriginal habitation is well documented in the region and no complex Cultural Heritage Management Plans have been performed on any of the proposed reserves.

Three of the reserves have limited street accessibility to accommodate overflow car parking during peak times.

A community facility is located adjacent to one of the reserves.

To adequately achieve the delivery of the sporting provision requirements, casual/un-organised sporting and leisure opportunities, in a low risk environment that is of high landscape amenity, that has the ability to ‘adapt’ to unexpected site conditions, it is essential that active open space reserves are delivered fit-for-purpose with the size and area determined by the expected population. As Council has already experienced great difficulty in being able to purchase suitable land for active open space outside of the Urban Growth Boundary, it is imperative that adequate active open space provision for the community’s sporting needs be allocated as part of the Precinct Structure Planning process. Less than half Riverdale’s under provision of active open space has been located in Truganina. If Council is unsuccessful in its submission for 2ha/1000people of active open space to be the provision standard, Council requests that the full 11.79 ha Riverdale undersupply be allocated to Truganina PSP and Council and the MPA engage in planning where the most suitable location and reserve configuration is to be. Furthermore, the Development Contribution Plan needs to reflect both the increase in land provision and sporting infrastructure construction cost within the plan for the proposed residential population.

13. Recommendation In conclusion I recommend that:

The sporting provision be provided at a rate of 2ha of NDA per 1000 people.

The Development Contributions Plan reflect both the increase in land provision to 2ha/1000 people and the increased sporting infrastructure construction cost within the plan for the proposed residential population.

Sporting reserves that have been identified within Archaeological & Heritage Management Solutions, Tarneit Precinct Structure Plans 88,89,90 & 91, Cultural Heritage Management Plan as wholly or partly located on ‘moderate’ to ‘very high sensitivity’ areas are to have a complex Cultural Heritage Management Plan undertaken prior to Gazetting of the Precinct Structure Plan. Results and remediation measures need to be approved by Council.

If Council is unsuccessful in its submission for 2ha/1000people of active open space to be the new provision standard, Council requests that the full 11.79 ha Riverdale undersupply of active open space be allocated to the Truganina PSP and for Council and the MPA engage in planning to determine where the most suitable location and reserve configuration are to be.

If Council is unsuccessful in its submission for 2ha/1000people of active open space to be the new provision standard, Council requests that A91-04 be removed from the active open

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space provision and that 3.8 ha be allocated to the balance of the active open spaces within Riverdale at the discretion of Council.

For a better urban design outcome and more equitable encumbrance situation, that the land for the community facility (1.502ha) is transferred from 1245 Sayers Rd to 1160 Sayers Rd,, at a site yet to be determined and for the land for indoor sport (6ha (6.5ha)) be transferred from 1160 Sayers Rd to 1245 Sayers Rd, to be located on the south west corner of Sayers & Sewell’s Rd.

I have made all the inquiries that I believe are desirable and appropriate and no matters of significance which I regard as relevant have to my knowledge been withheld from the Panel.

Sue Hawes Open Space Planner City Presentation & Recreation Wyndham City Council 13 November 2013

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Appendix 1

Documents

REVISED STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE AND REPORT …...5.2 DRAFT PLAN MELBOURNE The State Government of Victoria has recently released its draft Plan Melbourne: Metropolitan Planning Strategy