Why do we have a metropolitan open space strategy?
The last metropolitan planning strategy, Plan Melbourne 2017-2050, identified the need for a new metropolitan open space strategy. DEECA led the process of developing the strategy.
This involved reviewing global and local research, strategies and plans, and engagement with local councils, state departments, agencies, Traditional Owners, peak bodies and academics.
What is Open Space for Everyone?
Open Space for Everyone (2021) builds on Melbourne’s great open space legacy. It aims to create a network that is more connected, immersive and shared through planning and investing to protect, optimise and grow open spaces.
It also guides the design and programming of these areas to ensure their quality, equitability, and accessibility.
Open Space for Everyone guides all levels of government in the planning, management and delivery of a quality open space network over the next 30 years.
It will achieve this by fostering a coordinated approach by state and local governments, Traditional Owners, communities, researchers and businesses.
The strategic framework outlined in Open Space for Everyone outlines the vision, goals, directions and enabling actions. The framework can be applied across Victoria.
What will this mean for Melburnians?
Through its progressive implementation, Open Space for Everyone will give Melburnians better access to quality and diverse open space in their local neighbourhoods.
Our vision is that Melbourne is a city in nature with a flourishing and valued network of public spaces that is shared and accessible by everyone.
We are improving the way we plan for and identify new investment opportunities. This will provide more benefits for current and future generations including:
- improved community health and wellbeing
- maximised economic and social benefits.
- healthier biodiversity
- enhanced climate change resilience and sustainability.
What has already been implemented?
Implementation of Open Space for Everyone is well underway across government with improved planning guidance and investment delivering new and upgraded open space. This includes:
- $315 million Suburban Parks Program delivering more than 6,500 hectares of new and upgraded open space across Melbourne, including new and revitalised pocket parks, dog parks , and trails.
- $13.4 million for New and Upgraded dog parks ensuring Victorians have much needed green open space to exercise, relax and enjoy outdoors with their dogs.
- $7.4 million Better Parks and Playgrounds program delivering eleven new or upgraded parks across Victoria.
- $11.95 million More trees for a cooler, greener west contributing to urban cooling and greening across Melbourne’s west by planting 500,000 more trees.
- New Guide for Open Space Strategies supporting local governments and other open space public land managers prepare local open space strategies (due to be released in September 2025).
- Guidance to support when, why and how to apply Integrated Place Management.
- Creating a more accessible Spatial data mapping portal to help inform decision making about where to invest to support delivery of the Open Space for Everyone goals.
We will continue to work together to reform planning and invest more to meet the challenges and opportunities we face as Melbourne’s population grows.
Contact us
Contact the Open Space for Everyone team for more information.
Page last updated: 13/10/25