The National Trust has seen a concerning (but not unexpected) increase in planning permit applications for development projects that do not align with the objectives of Green Wedge Zones.

We have been classifying significant natural and cultural landscapes for more than 40 years. Many of these landscapes fall within green wedge zones and are also afforded additional protections though Significant Landscape Overlays under municipal planning schemes.

According to the Department of Transport and Planning, the purpose of a Green Wedge Zone is to “recognise and protect non-urban land outside the Urban Growth Boundary in the Melbourne metropolitan area for its agricultural, environmental, historic, landscape or recreational values, or mineral and stone resources.”

As Green Wedges are primarily on the fringes of the urban growth boundary, the planning provisions and controls set in place to protect them are constantly being tested by urban sprawl as Melbourne’s population grows and the demand for space increases. This issue was identified in the Parliamentary Inquiry into the protections within the Victorian Planning Framework Interim Report, which was released in 2022.

Cultural landscapes such as green space in more urban contexts contribute environmentally, socially, and economically across Victoria. It is well known that trees, parks and gardens mitigate the urban heat island effect and provide health benefits to the community, as well as create healthier ecosystems with a greater biodiversity in urbanised contexts.  Furthermore, green space is essential to wellbeing and liveability in areas with increasing population density and development pressures. Therefore it is important that the protection of these places is not overlooked as we plan for Victoria’s future.

The National Trust fully supports the state government to increase tree and urban green spaces. However, there is a clear misalignment of this intention and the implementation planning for housing targets being drafted in the current plan for Victoria. The need for increased housing density to accommodate future population will increase pressures on our existing green spaces. As a minimum, current green space benchmarks must be maintained as we face a changing climate.

The National Trust is currently preparing our submission to the State Government’s consultation on a new Plan for Victoria. We are calling upon the government to include heritage in the conversation about the state’s future and provide meaningful incorporation of heritage building stock, landscapes and trees into development planning and design.