13A.4 Objectives and Policies for the Open Space Zones

Updated 11 September 2018

13A.4.1 Objective - Open Space Role and Function

The maintenance, enhancement and development of Open Space provides for a wide range of recreational, community and active living opportunities.

13A.4.1.1 Policy - Open Space Role and Function

By providing for the maintenance, enhancement and development of Open Space through:

1. Identifying open space areas that cater to the needs of:
   1. Local neighbourhood reserves (Passive Open Space);
   2. The City (Active Open Space);
   3. The subregion (Active Open Space (Major);
   4. Special Uses (Scheduled Sites);
2. Identifying areas with natural character, ecological and conservation values (Conservation);
3. Enabling a wide range of recreational, community and active living opportunities that caters to the needs of users to occur across each zone;
4. Creating a safe physical environment by applying the following principles to use and development:
   1. Open space areas are well-defined and provide for convenient and safe movement without compromising security; 
   2. All publicly accessible areas are overlooked, and with clear sightlines and lighting providing maximum visibility;
   3. Design Open space areas so the level of human activity is appropriate to the areas’ location and purpose, deters crime and creates a sense of safety.

13A.4.2 Objective – Recognition of Reserve Management Plans

The development of Open Space is in accordance with approved Reserve Management Plans.

13A.4.2.1 Policy - Recognition of Reserve Management Plans

By ensuring that objectives, polices, actions and relevant development/landscape concept plans of an approved Reserve Management Plan are recognised and provided for through open space management and development.

13A.4.3 Objective – Bulk and Scale of Buildings and Structures

Buildings and structures are of a bulk and scale that is compatible with the surrounding environment.

13A.4.3.1 Policy - Bulk and Scale of Buildings and Structures

By ensuring that the bulk and scale of buildings and structures in the Open Space Zones:

1. Is restricted to a bulk and scale that:
   1. Avoids the impacts of building bulk and overshadowing on surrounding independent dwelling units, or activities including their outdoor living areas;
   2. Ensures an adequate supply of daylight to adjacent sites to minimise overshadowing;
   3. Provides a level of amenity consistent with the surrounding landscape character.
2. Provides for larger buildings and structures on land zoned Active Open Space and Active Open Space (Major).

13A.4.4 Objective – Site Layout and Building Design

Development within Open Space Zones provides for an amenity consistent with the landscape character of the surrounding area.

13A.4.4.1 Policy - Site Layout and Building Design

By ensuring the layout and design of development in the Open Space Zones:

1. Provides building setbacks between sites that ensure a physical separation of buildings between sites and limits the impact of building bulk on adjoining sites;
2. Retains the majority of the site as Open Space;
3. Ensures that buildings are setback from the road boundary to provide a consistent streetscape that provides opportunities for landscape planting.

13A.4.5 Objective – Open Space Character

The open space character of the City’s reserves is maintained and enhanced.

13A.4.5.1 Policy - Open Space Character

By ensuring that the development in an Open Space Zone is assessed against:

1. The Reserves Act purpose of the reserve and its role and function within the open space network;
2. The location of the proposed development within the open space in relation to surrounding uses;
3. The existing landform or topography (and the extent of earthworks);
4. The size or proportion of the open space and its ability to absorb new buildings or structures and activities;
5. Any positive or negative effects on access and connectivity to other open space, or areas of community activity;
6. The ability of new buildings, structures or activities to enhance or detract from the existing visibility of the open space;
7. The effects on indigenous flora and fauna, with an overall goal to retain existing indigenous vegetation and/or large specimen trees.

13A.4.6 Objective – Adverse Effects on the Surrounding Environment

Buildings, structures and activities on land zoned Open Space does not adversely affect the surrounding environment’s amenity, landscape character, streetscape and/or heritage or cultural values.

13A.4.6.1 Policy - Adverse Effects on the Surrounding Environment

By ensuring that buildings, structures and activities on land zoned Open Space are designed, sited, operated and maintained to address the potential adverse effects:

1. Of noise and light emissions;
2. On the amenity values of the surrounding environment, including its landscape character and streetscape;
3. On the amenity values of sites, buildings, places or areas of:
   1. Indigenous flora and fauna
   2. Heritage, cultural or archaeological value.

13A.4.7 Objective – Public Access

Public access, for the recreational needs of the City, to and along the coastal environment, wetlands, rivers and streams is maintained and enhanced.

13A.4.7.1 Policy – Public Access to rivers and streams is provided.

By maintaining and enhancing public access to and along the coastal environment, wetlands, rivers and streams, provided that the adverse effects on the natural character values of those areas is remedied or mitigated.