We're developing a detailed design for Powlett Street Reserve, based on the Burgundy and Powlett Street Reserves Masterplan that was adopted by Council in 2018.
We know that a lot has changed since 2017 when we last heard from community. More people live in and around Heidelberg, and the population is expected to grow by more than 50% by 2046. This means our parks and open spaces will need to support many more people.
This is why we’re checking in again — to make sure we haven’t missed anything and that the design still meets the needs of the people who use the Reserve.
What does the Masterplan include for Powlett Reserve?
Take a look at the drawings from the Masterplan for Powlett Street Reserve.
We understand that it's been 8 years since the Masterplan was adopted, and updates may be needed. This is where you come in!
Take a look at the drawings, complete the survey and drop a pin on the map to tell us what you think.
Get involved
There are a few ways to get involved:
- Complete the online survey below or request a hardcopy survey from Joe (see 'Contact us' for details)
- Attend an in-person session at Powlett Reserve on:
- Monday 9 February, 3.30pm - 5pm
- Saturday 14 February, 10am - 11.30am
- Talk with the Open Space Planning Team: book a 30-minute conversation (phone or online) with Joe on 8673 4390.
Have your say
What can you influence?
- Relocation of the Reserve's active and passive spaces.
- Facilities and equipment to be included in improvement works.
- That there will be a detailed design implemented for Powlett Reserve.
About the project
The detailed design for Powlett Street Reserve is a chance to build on what the community has already told us and improve an important part of Banyule. The area has to do a lot at once - provide open space for everyone to enjoy, fit in car parking, and allow safe cycling and walking - while being in the middle of a busy local centre.
The Masterplan aims to:
- Create a clear vision for Powlett Street Reserve that will benefit the whole community.
- Support Council’s plans for open space, transport and the Heidelberg Activity Centre by helping make the area more connected, more sustainable, easier to get around, and better for social and economic activity, while also improving car parking.
Powlett Street Reserve is in central Heidelberg, south of Burgundy Street, opposite the Austin Hospital and next to Warringal Cemetery on Darebin Street.
Right now, this land is classified as a ‘road reserve’. Council has asked the State Government to approve changing it to ‘public open space'.
Take a look around and get familiar with the space:
Powlett Reserve - The wide nature strip on the eastern side of Powlett Street, between Burgundy Street and Darebin Street (sometimes referred to as the Powlett Street Common).
Research show that green public spaces are very important for people’s physical and mental health. This is true in Australia and around the world (Banyule Public Open Space Plan 2016-2031).
Powlett Street Reserve is a valued 'green space' in the busy Heidelberg Precinct. Council wants to improve and look after this space into the future.
As more people move into the area and more residences are built, having easy access to good public open space will be even more important for community health and wellbeing. Research also shows that informal activity areas in parks help with social connection, play, and child development.
Council’s Public Open Space Plan technical report recommends that Powlett Street Reserve be officially classified as public open space and that a Masterplan be created. Council adopted this Masterplan in 2018.
Powlett Street Reserve is part of the Heidelberg Major Activity Centre (MAC). A Heidelberg Structure Plan for Heidelberg was developed and adopted by Council in 2023.
The Heidelberg MAC is one of 60 activity centres chosen by the State Government for its Activity Centres Program. Under this program, the government will set its own planning rules for these centres, including Heidelberg, to support its Housing Statement (September 2023).
View more details about the Heidelberg MAC and Structure Plan.
Many workers in the area use public open spaces during lunch to get a break from work, hospitals, and shops. Visitors to patients in Heidelberg’s hospitals also need easy-to-access open spaces for rest and comfort.
Council is under pressure to provide more usable public open space and improve walking connections in the area. Developing key open spaces in this precinct is a high priority for Council, while still keeping the area pleasant for residents and meeting local needs.
There isn’t much 'green space' in the Heidelberg Activity Centre for people to use as public open space.
Banyule’s Public Open Space Plan has identified this as a problem because the population is expected to grow and more residential blocks will be built. These residences will have little or no private outdoor space for residents. This means demand for public open space will keep increasing.
Our community is made up of diverse cultures, beliefs, abilities, bodies, sexualities, ages and genders. We are committed to access, equity, participation and rights for everyone: principles which empower, foster harmony and increase the wellbeing of an inclusive community.
Banyule City Council is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as traditional custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the region’s history.
