The Public Open Space Plan (POSP) guides how parks, gardens, reserves and playgrounds in Banyule are planned, maintained and improved to meet the needs of everyone in the community.

Research highlights the health benefits of time in nature. As our population grows and we live closer together, access to open space becomes more important as a way of providing different forms of recreation.

A 2023 review found that 22% of the Banyule community don’t have a park or green space nearby. Addressing this is challenging because of population growth, rising land values, limited funding and the impacts of major projects such as the North East Link.

The Public Open Space Levy applies to subdivisions of three or more lots in residential, commercial and industrial zones across Banyule. It does not apply to all ratepayers.

Council already collects a levy from developers for new subdivisions to help improve existing open spaces and create new ones. The current contribution is 5% of land value, but this does not meet the growing needs of the community.

The most effective way to increase and improve the quality of Banyule's open space is through the existing Public Open Space Levy (the Levy) on developers at Clause 53.01 of the Banyule Planning Scheme.

Planning Scheme Amendment C177 (C177bany) proposes to amend the planning scheme to change the Levy on developers from a mandatory 5% contribution to 7.5%.

Submissions must be made in writing and must include the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed, and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter proposes.

Please note: Council must make a copy of every submission available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours, free of charge, until the end of two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses. Submissions will be redacted by Council in accordance with relevant legislation.

We are seeking feedback on the proposed amendment to increase the Public Open Space Levy.

Your submission will:

• help Council understand community views on the proposed amendment
• identify potential benefits, concerns or impacts of the proposal
• be considered as part of the planning scheme amendment process.

Important information about this process

This is a statutory planning scheme amendment process.

Some aspects of the proposal are constrained by legislation, technical analysis and the planning scheme amendment process. Community submissions can help Council understand support, concerns and potential impacts of the proposal, however any change to the levy must follow the statutory process and requires approval from the Minister for Planning.

Click the '+Follow' button to stay up to date on this project.