jacana valley master plan visioning framework - Hume City Council

JACANA VALLEY
MASTER PLAN
VISIONING FRAMEWORK

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................ p.3
Objectives .............................................................................................. p.4
Background ........................................................................................... p.5
Consultation .......................................................................................... p.11
Vision ..................................................................................................... p.18
Themes .................................................................................................. p.19
Actions ................................................................................................... p.20
Appendix A ............................................................................................ p.24
Appendix B ............................................................................................ p.26
Appendix C ............................................................................................ p.27
Appendix D ............................................................................................ p.30
2

Introduction
Hume City Council is preparing a master plan for the precinct
consisting of Johnstone Street Reserve, Jacana Valley Park and
the Moonee Ponds Creek wetland and surrounding parkland,
known for the purposes of this study as the Jacana Valley Master
Plan.
‘The Master Plan will capture the community’s and Council’s
aspirations of the precinct by articulating a vision which builds on
the site’s uniqueness, and establish clear directions for the future
use and functionality of the three sub-precincts.’
This Visioning Framework aims to capture aspirations for the
regeneration of Jacana Valley and will be the foundation
document for a master plan for Jacana Valley to guide future
plans for this significant open space.
Barry Road
Westmeadows
Broadmeadows
Pascoe Vale Rd
Broadmeadows/Craigieburn
Johnstone Street
Broadmeadows CAA
Blair Street
Gladstone Park
Jacana Valley
Jacana
Camp Road
City of Moreland Jurisdiction
Widford Street
Figure 1.1 Broader Site Context
3

Objectives
The visioning for Jacana Valley and consequent Master Plan
responds to:
• Clear vision established in partnership with a range of
stakeholders.
• Agreed visioning framework guiding prioritised decision making.
• Engaged local community in the planning of the precinct/subprecints.
• High quality urban design aesthetic objectives, including private
realm.
• Place making opportunities considering a range of functions
and uses including community infrastructure, high-end land
use opportunities (e.g. urban agriculture, social enterprise
opportunities, commercial food services), active and passive
recreation, family spaces, quiet contemplation and urban
wilderness.
• Sustainable and inclusive sports clubs that provide for local
communities and respond to identified needs, including
targeted participation programs from contemporary facilities
that meet community expectation.
• Sustainable environment outcomes including management
strategies and general time frames to maintain the landfill
cap on Johnstone Street Reserve, and any required ongoing/
future remediation to improve the quality of water entering the
Moonee Ponds Creek.
• An intelligent design response which enhances the existing
qualities of the site.
• Role of open space in contributing to the proposed regeneration
of Broadmeadows and supporting a regional catchment from
across Melbourne’s north.
• Explore opportunities to increase passive surveillance
incorporating potential residential development.
4

Background
Landscape Character
Jacana Valley is located approximately 13km north of Melbourne, boarded by suburbs of Jacana,
Gladstone Park and Broadmeadows. Broadmeadows is set for extensive change over the next
20 years. The Draft Broadmeadows Structure Plan (November 2011), aims to guide the area’s
transformation into a ‘mini CBD’. The regeneration of Jacana Valley will play a major role in providing
quality open space that responds to this ‘new city’ .
The study precinct consists of three connected parcels of land: Johnstone Street Reserve, Jacana
Valley Park and Freeland Grove Reserve in Jacana, and the Moonee Ponds Creek wetland and
parkland west of the Creek to Gladstone Park.
The regionally significant precinct connects to Broadmeadows Valley Park to the north, and the
Moonee Ponds Creek Linear Parkland to the north-west and south in neighbouring Moreland City
Council. The precinct and adjoining open space serves a regional catchment and in part provides
for the neighbourhood-level passive and district-level active recreation needs of residents in
Broadmeadows, Gladstone Park and Jacana. The Metropolitan Trail Network extends through the
study area.
5

Metropolitan Trail Network
Background
Broadmeadows
Valley Park
Johnstone Street
Broadmeadows
Jacana
Reserve
Residential
Residential
Johnstone
Street Reserve
Extent of Study Area
Gladstone
Park
Moonee Ponds Creek
Jacana
Valley Park
Residential
Jacana Reserve - sports
ground and pavilions
Johnstone Street Reserve -
Playground, Skate Park and
BBQ facilities
Broadmeadows Sporting
Club
Moonee Ponds Creek
Wetland
Freeland
Grove Reserve
Jacana
Residential
M80 Western Ring Rd
Jacana Valley
Wetlands
Figure 1.2 Existing Site Plan
Not to Scale
6

Background
Characteristic
Topography/
Physiography
Cultural/
Heritage/
Interpretation
Geology
Hydrology
Accessibility
Description
• Jacana Valley Park is a wide, natural valley with the Moonee Ponds Creek forming it’s base.
The informal parkland is a highly exposed space and has very steep topography. Johnstone
Street Reserve has a steep and undulating geography with three ‘terraces’ for areas of
passive and informal active recreation. There are two sports grounds utilised by the Jacana
Cricket and Football clubs at Jacana Reserve. These sports grounds sit below the 1/100 year
flood line.
• Any indigenous significance will be dealt with in more detailed concepts that this Master
Plan instigates.
• Cultural and heritage significance will be promoted through interpretation via path networks,
public art and potential future programs such as ‘Friends of Jacana Valley’ and voluntary
natural resource management programs.
• Johnstone Street Reserve is a former landfill over a narrow valley which provided storm
water run off from Broadmeadows to the Moonee Ponds Creek. Council monitors the former
landfill site through regular gas emission, surface and ground water quality and cap integrity
testing and reporting. Previous use for landfill constrains future use options and existing
landfill buffers must be retained.
• The Moonee Ponds Creek line traverses the study area, passing through the Moonee Ponds
Creek wetlands downstream in the south of the site. The creek and wetlands are both prone
to flooding. The area adjacent to the creek that includes the Metropolitan Trail Network and
the two sports grounds at Jacana Reserve sits under the 1/100 year flood line. The wetlands
are arguably the most important asset along this creek line as it has suffered environmental
impact from urban development upstream.
• Major storm water infrastructure runs through the Johnstone Street Reserve. As this site is
a former landfill, Hume monitors the surface water that is discharged from this pipe.
• The site is accessible via Johnstone Street to the east and from Sunset Boulevard - the
entrance to the Broadmeadows Sporting Club from which there are pedestrian through
points into the reserve. Jack Ginifer Reserve in Gladstone Park and Pyke Drive only allow
access to the top of the west escarpment. The two ovals and club rooms at Jacana
Reserve are accessible via Loraine Crescent with a formal access path connecting into
the Metropolitan Trail Network. A temporary shared path has been constructed as part of
the M80 Ring Road widening works to the south west of the site which allows access from
Jacana Valley to the south of the Ring Road.
• The Metropolitan Trail Network extends through the study area from north to south and on
the west side of the Moonee Ponds Creek, crossing it at two points via footbridges to the
north and south of the site.
• Meadowlink is a shared walking/cycling path through Broadmeadows proposed to move
through Johnstone Street Reserve and connect to the Metropolitan Trail Network in Jacana
Valley Park.
7

Background
Characteristic
Flora and Fauna
View lines
Ownership
Tenancy
Zoning
Description
• The site provides habitat for the growling grass frog. This species is listed as Threatened
under the Flora and Fauna Act 1988 and Vulnerable under the Federal Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
• There is little to no remnant vegetation on the site. Significant revegetation works have
been undertaken along the Moonee Ponds Creek and associated Moonee Ponds Creek
Wetlands.
• An Environmental Significance Overlay under the Hume Planning Scheme covers the creek
environs at the site (ESO2). The purpose of the overlay is to protect significant environmental
values along the creek and ensure the function of the waterway to support natural waterway
flow and provide and preserve habitat for wildlife.
• The precinct has a significant profile from the Western Ring Road (M80) providing regional
exposure into Broadmeadows and views beyond. The termination of Johnstone Street
Reserve into the Valley in the east and the top of the escarpment to the west provide vantage
points to striking, open views across the valley.
• Hume City Council - Freeland Grove Reserve, Johnstone Street Reserve and Jacana Valley
Park east of the valley that includes the Broadmeadows Sporting Club, and Jacana Reserve
down to the 1/100 year flood line.
• Melbourne Water - Moonee Ponds Creek and Wetlands and Jacana Reserve up to the 1/100
year flood line.
• VicRoads - The parcel of land west of the valley reserved for the E-14 extension down to the
1/100 year flood line, along with small parcel of land located in the south east of the site
abutting Freeland Grove Reserve.
Hume City Council has a range of tenancy arrangements operating across the study area:
• lease of area developed for car parking east of Johnstone Street Reserve to Northern Health
• lease to Broadmeadows Sporting Club lease
• Seasonal license agreements with Jacana Football Club, Jacana Cricket Club and other
sports clubs as required.
• Johnstone Street Reserve and Freeland Grove Reserve are zoned Public Park Recreation
Zone (PPRZ)
• The Melbourne Water land and VicRoads E-14 easement is zoned Public Use Zone 1 (PUZ1)
• The small parcel of VicRoads land to the south east is zoned Residential Zone 1 (R1Z)
8

Background
Planning Context
Identifying and understanding the planning context for the
Johnstone Street Reserve, Jacana Valley Park and Moonee
Ponds Creek is critical in establishing a Master Plan that can
be implemented and to represent the strategic and statutory
policies of Hume City Council.
Summary of Planning Context
The Master Plan, in terms of planning, will not be contrary to any
of the existing Hume Council Policy, Legislative Requirements or
Hume Planning Scheme.
Points of consideration include:
• The over arching State and Local Policies do not prohibit the
preparation of the Jacana Valley Master Plan. These strategies
support the master planning, activation and connection of this
area to surrounding land uses.
• The legislative framework protecting areas of conservation
significance, in particular the threatened species of Growling
Grass Frog should be noted.
• Within the Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ), retail
premises (including café) are conditionally permitted. This may
be a suitable use to activate the area.
• There are pertinent overlays in the study area of note.
Consideration should be given to these in the Jacana Valley
Master Plan.
• Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 changes in the
PPRZ land are to be based on substantiated need and Planning
Minister approval.
Refer to the appendices for a detailed summation on all
background planning documents and policies along with
a preliminary assessment of residential development
opportunities.
9

Background
Johnstone Street
Broadmeadows
Extent of Study Area
Gladstone
Park
Vic Roads
Melbourne Water
Hume City Council
Jacana
M80 Western Ring Rd
Figure 1.3 Ownership
Not to Scale
10

Consultation
Ascertaining the views and opinions of the community,
particularly those from traditionally underrepresented residents
and community groups is essential in the success of the Jacana
Valley Master Plan. Our aim is to ensure that the consultation
outcomes and findings meet the needs of the current and future
users of this site. As such, we proposed targeted consultation
of local government and authorities, key stakeholders and the
local community to gather information to inform this Visioning
Framework and eventually the Master Plan.
For the Jacana Valley Master Plan, Council employed the
consultation technique of Appreciative Inquiry. This is a valuesbased
approach to consultation. It focuses on engaging those
with a vested interest in a place, along with raising awareness
to other members of the community to develop an interest in
that place. By firmly anchoring the consultation dialogue in the
values of a place, the results will always be focussed toward
community’s stories, histories, affinities and identification with
that place. In turn, those connections will promote value-based
aspirations for a site that can be more tangibly linked to spaces,
programmes, infrastructure, amenities and a range of investment
opportunities.
The community engagement offered a range of options as
follows:
• Online Survey
• Survey Mail out
• Government Agencies and Key Stakeholder Workshop
• Broader Community Group and End Users Workshop
• Community BBQ
• Tenant sports club meeting
11

Consultation
The findings and outcomes from the data drawn from the consultation process focuses on
identifying the key values that the stakeholders and community members already held
and projected for Jacana Valley. The following table outlines the key findings.
Consultation Activity 01
Stakeholder Workshop 1
Government agencies
and key stakeholders
workshop#1
Description + Participants
The purpose of this workshop was to engage with the Council and key stakeholder
agencies to provide an overview of the Master Plan Project.
• To gather their input into the Master Plan in terms of what they value
• What key principles they would like to see incorporated?
• To launch the Appreciative Inquiry approach
• To uncover key champions who are willing to help the Inquiry process
Attendees included:
• Vic Roads
• Moreland City Council
• Melbourne Water
• Moonee Ponds Creek Co-ordination Committee
• Victoria Police
Facilitated by :
• Hume City Council
• AECOM
Findings + Outcomes
Key values were drawn out by asking attendees to project what Jacana Valley could
be in the future, what they valued about the space currently and also discussing
what they valued about other open spaces that they have enjoyed.
Key values drawn from this discussion were:
• Accessibility and connectivity - through stakeholders identifying the need for
improved DDA access, footbridges, boardwalks, connections over the creek and
a trail that supplies both sides of the creek, a space that provides good public
amenity through toilets, shade, water fountains, cafes, strengthening bike and
pedestrian connections. It was noted that if the E-14 is ever constructed this will
impact greatly on access from the Gladstone Park interface, west of the site.
• Activation - through the stakeholder group identifying the need to maintain and
consolidate the sporting precinct, shared community facilities .
• Productive environment - through the stakeholder group identifying the desire for
community gardens.
• Security - through the group identifying the need for passive surveillance through
activation and the potential for the existing ‘back fences’ that currently interface
the reserve to become ‘inward facing’.
• Conservation - through the group identifying the need for the Moonee Ponds Creek
wetland to maintain flood capacity, increasing revegetation.
• Responsiveness - through identifying the critical importance of Council
implementing the plan and the need for ongoing maintenance for the project.
• Respect for others - through the group identifying the need for interpretation and
inspiring the community to develop a connection to this space.
• Simplicity - through the group identifying the need for signage, way finding and a
legible landscape.
• Regional scale - the group recognising that the Jacana Valley needs to be
recognised on a regional scale/regional asset.
12

Consultation
Consultation Activity 02
Survey - Online
Consultation Activity 03
Survey - Hard copy mail out
Description + Participants
Survey based on Appreciative Inquiry approach and asked three main questions,
what they currently use the park for (or why they currently don’t), what they value
about the park currently and what aspirations they had for Jacana Valley in the
future. Posted on Hume City Council Website. The majority of respondents were
from Gladstone Park and Broadmeadows making up 26 of the 41 respondents.
Findings + Outcomes
• 93 % of respondents have visited the park in the past 12 months with just under
half usually spending 1-3 hours there at a time
• The main reasons for not using the park were identified as feelings of insecurity
and the fact that there is nothing to do there.
• The main activities already participated in were identified by respondents as
being: enjoying the outdoor/natural environment, exercising, general recreation for
health and well being and dog walking.
• The main activities respondents would like to see in Jacana Valley were identified
as: environmental restoration, passive activities such as walking through nature,
interpretation and public art.
• The key values that were identified by respondents as desirable for Jacana to
possess were identified as: accessibility, cleanliness and orderliness, community,
conservation, family, health and well being, peace and quiet, pleasure, protection,
safety, security and tranquillity.
Description + Participants
Survey questions as per as online survey.
Mailed out to residents within a 3 km radius - 5, 800 no. total surveys were posted
• Out of the 5, 800 surveys 180 were returned. The majority of respondents were
from the Broadmeadows and Gowanbrae area making up 72% of those that
replied.
Findings + Outcomes
• 63% of residents who responded had visited the park in the last 12 months, with
those who don’t use the park identifying reasons as being too busy, too far from
where they live, facilities not matching needs/nothing to do there and difficulty in
accessibility.
• Currently respondents mainly use the park to engage in organised sporting
activities or as part of their exercise routine. Other uses identified were dog
walking and enjoying the environment.
• The main programs and activities respondents identified as wanting to see in
Jacana Valley were a social/cultural calendar of events (33%), community gardens
(35%), more activities for family (28%), children (28%) and young adults (21%), BBQ
and picnic activities (29%) as well as passive activities (39%) and active activities
(26%).
• The key values respondents want Jacana Valley to posses were identified as: civic
pride (23%), cleanliness/orderliness (52%), conservation (35%), fun (36%), peace
+ quiet (47%), tranquillity (37%), productive (28%), environment (52%), simplicity
(10%), diversity (7%), neighbourliness (20%), safety (55%), security (41%), family
(41%), education (22%), respect for others (46%), health and well being (50%),
respect for law (41%), pleasure (32%), nature (52%), accessibility (34%).
13

Consultation
Introduction
Consultation Activity 04
Community BBQ
Description + Participants
Community members were invited to a free BBQ in Johnstone Street Reserve.
Approximately fifty local community members attended with a demographic ranging
from families, youth using the skate park and playground as was well more elderly
members of the local community.
The AECOM and Hume team members were able to engage with the local community
raising awareness for the project and inspiring a vested interest in contributing
ideas through formal responses and also uncovering key champions who are willing
to help the Inquiry process.
Facilitated by :
• Hume City Council
• AECOM
Findings + Outcomes
• Formal responses are included in the hard copy mail out findings + outcomes.
• Participants spoke positively of the recent development of new informal recreation
facilities at Johnstone Street Reserve including the skate park, flying fox and
nature-based play spaces, and suggested additional sports be catered for such as
tennis, bocce and soccer.
• Support for additional recreation facilities in the reserve including spaces for
family/social gatherings and facilities for children and young people.
• Sought greater access to the valley and creek corridor through trails and shared
paths.
• Residents valued the precinct’s natural setting, and sought greater opportunity to
experience and care for the natural environment including access to the creek and
wetland.
• Residents valued the importance of large, mature trees, and the opportunity to
capitalise on the valley’s unique topography/setting by creating viewing points and
use of the steep escarpments for different activities.
• Connected spaces supported by program of events and activities that draws the
community together.
14

Consultation
Consultation Activity 05
Stakeholder Workshop 2
Broader community
group and end users
workshop
Description + Participants
The purpose of this workshop was to engage with the key user groups and
community groups (friends of groups, environment groups, religious spiritual groups,
sports clubs, mothers groups other potential end users to provide an overview of the
Master Plan Project.
• To gather their input into the Master
• Plan in terms of what they value
• What key principles they would like to see incorporated?
• To launch the Appreciative Inquiry approach
• To uncover key champions who are willing to help the Inquiry process.
Attendees included:
• Metropolitan Fire Board
• Jacana Football Club
• Jacana Cricket Club
• Kororoit Institute Proponents and Supporters Association
• Hume BUG
• Broadmeadows Rotary
• Friends of Upper Moonee Ponds Creek
Facilitated by :
• Hume City Council
• AECOM
Findings + Outcomes
• All the participants are engaged to see improvements for the site.
• The football and cricket clubs are keen to see a clear direction pertaining to the
improvement of their club and associated facilities.
• MFB noted the importance of the path network as a means of emergency access.
• There was a general consensus for the City to ensure ownership of the project and
the site; to ‘convert’ the promise and deliver the outcomes from a strategic level
through to operations, management and maintenance.
• Ensure that any staged works match spatial connectivity of nodes, facilities and
amenities.
• Other specifics included a reconciliation between commuter and recreational
cyclists through the site – that a meandering path might not always be the most
appropriate proposition; ratification of car parking if amenities are to increase, and
ensure outcomes are community focussed.
15

Consultation
Consultation Activity 06
Tenant sports clubs meeting
Description + Participants
Site tenants Broadmeadows Sporting Club, Jacana Football Club and Jacana Cricket
Club attended a meeting to discuss and explore plans and aspirations for the study
area and their respective clubs’ operations. Clubs occupy these facilities through
tenancy agreements with Council.
The meeting was facilitated by Hume City Council.
Findings + Outcomes
• Broadmeadows Sporting Club (BSC) is poorly located and difficult to access
without a private vehicle.
• The BSC seeks to modernise facilities in keeping with Broadmeadow’s
regeneration and provide members and the community with an inviting and
accessible facility that support a range of social, leisure and entertainment needs
and becomes a community hub for Broadmeadows and Jacana. The club wishes to
continue financially supporting a range of local community sporting clubs through
proceeds from gaming revenue.
• The BSC would consider relocating to Jacana Reserve to an integrated with
modernised sports hub, with upgraded player and umpire facilities responding to
the operational needs of the Jacana Football and Cricket clubs, and other seasonal
sports tenants. The proposed integration of sporting facilities would need to
consider an appropriate governance structure.
• A proposal to relocate BSC to Jacana Reserve would need to take into account a
range of planning and community needs including amenity impacts, traffic and
parking requirements, gaming and liquor licences, 1 in 100 year flood inundation
overlay.
• Player facilities at Jacana Reserve are ageing, and are limited in supporting
participation by women and girls and people with disabilities.
• All clubs valued the importance of providing for young people and families, and
delivering sporting programs and related activities in partnership with schools and
other sporting bodies that brings the community together and provides choice.
• Other identified sporting opportunities across the study area include exercise
stations and fitness trails, spaces for personal trainers and outdoor fitness class
and provision of other sports such as softball, tennis and soccer.
• Improved vehicle and pedestrian access throughout the study area
• Further investigate potential for residential development to assist in funding the
Park’s redevelopment.
• Consider alternative community uses of Broadmeadows Sporting Club should BSC
relocated to Jacana Reserve.
16

The vision and values that underpin the future direction of Jacana Valley have been identified
through background analysis and consultation and aim to capture the essence of community and
key stakeholder aspirations.
It is proposed that the vision be realised through pursuing key themes that directly reflect the main
values the we read and heard during the background and consultation process.
Each theme outlines these values which have been coupled with an ‘action’. These actions, to be
explored and developed in the master planning process, propose a way to spatially implement these
values.
17

Vision
‘toward an action framework’
Jacana Valley will be a key regional open space providing social,
environmental, and urban connectivity for the community.
It will provide a range of values and benefits; from being a place of natural beauty and quiet
contemplation, to a social hub for sport and cultural activities. The community’s diversity and depth
of heritage will drive the:
• Implementation of high-quality, high-amenity landscape architecture that provides for a range of
uses including: family spaces, active and passive recreation and urban agriculture,
• Re-development and activation of regional sporting programs. Viable sporting clubs delivering a
range of active recreation and associated social activities for members and the local community,
• Transformation of the Valley into a community-based destination that is designed to create safety
and security, reduce isolation and instigate a sense of place and identity with all user groups,
• Environmental sustainability,
• Improved accessibility within the Valley itself and to the broader context of Broadmeadows,
parkland south of the M80 and beyond.
• Development of a robust interpretation and public arts plan, and
• The development of residential areas for the purposes of economic regeneration and improvement
to the interface of the Valley.
Johnstone Street
Broadmeadows
Gladstone Park
Jacana
M80 Western Ring Rd
Figure 1.4 Vision Diagram
18

Themes - Framing the Vision
The Visioning Framework responds to the various background
documents, complemented by the Appreciative Inquiry of the
community and key stakeholders that sought feedback on the
valley’s current and future values. From this, five themes have
been identified from which key spatial components will be
developed as a master plan. An Action Framework details short,
medium and long-term targets to deliver the master plan.
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMIC
REGENERATION
ENVIRONMENT
DESTINATION
SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
CULTURE + ID
19

Actions - Delivering the Vision
GOVERNANCE
Values
civic pride,
respect for law
leadership + maintenance
Thinking/Possibilities
responsiveness
authorities to ensure the
delivery of the master plan
ENVIRONMENT
Values
cleanliness/orderliness
maintenance
Thinking/Possibilities
conservation, nature
riparian corridor, 1/100 year flood line, restoration ecology,
habitat creation, urban tree planting
fun
activity based infrastructure + social programming to create
an appropriate mix of activities
peace + quiet,
tranquillity
ensure places for solitude + calm
productive
environment
provide productive landscape
20

Actions
CULTURE + ID
simplicity
Values
create a landscape that is
legible + structured
Thinking/Possibilities
respect for others
provide flexible land uses
ensure space + amenities to provide celebrations
connection to place through an interpretation of time
neighbourliness
community gardens
SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
safety, security
Values
Thinking/Possibilities
access, 12-14 hour use
activity that increases perceptions of personal security
accessibility
provide multi- generational activity
all ability access to key nodes
provision of youth orientated activities
accommodate commuter and recreational users
family
a place for both physical and social access, safety and equality
21

Actions
education
create a landscape that allows for varied experiences and
discovery
activation, health and well
being
create a landscape that allows for varied experiences and
discovery
open space
provide for both regional open space and neighbourhood open
spaces serving local needs
ECONOMIC
REGENERATION
regional scale
Values
Thinking/Possibilities
create a place of iconicity that can be recognised on a regional
scale
pleasure create a ‘whole of life’ ,
enduring landscape (materials)
residential development
consider certain fringes of the reserve to be sold and
developed for residential purposes that front on to the reserve
22

Appendices
23

Appendix A
Planning Context
Policy Document
Hume City Plan 2030
Hume City Council 2009-2013 (2011
Action Update)
Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing
Plan 2009-2013
Hume Social Justice Charter 2007
Hume Youth Strategy 2010-2013
Hume City Development Principles:
Recreation & Community Facilities
2006
Community Safety Strategy 2009-
2013
Hume City Council Pathways to
Sustainability Framework, and
Pathways to Sustainability Action
Plan 2009-2013
Broadmeadows Valley Park
Management Plan 2007
Key Policies and Objectives
• The Hume City Plan 2030 has been developed by the community for
the community to ensure that by the year 2030, Hume City will be
recognised as the ideal location for healthy living, lifelong learning,
employment, recreation, enjoyment and prosperity.
• The Jacana Valley would assist in meeting the Themes and objectives
of this plan including Prosperity, Community Wellbeing and
Appearance of City and Environment.
• The Hume City Council 2009-2013 (2011 Action Update) has similar
policies and directions as the City Plan and the Jacana Valley would
assist to meet these policies, in particular the Community Wellbeing
for elements such as social inclusion, Health, Safety and Wellbeing
and Arts, Leisure and Recreation.
• This document seeks to improve health and wellbeing, all of which can
be improved by improved access and utilisation of public space areas
such as the Moonee Ponds Creek. Therefore the Jacana Valley is in
accordance with the directions of this policy.
• The Jacana Valley aims to provide increased access and quality
of public open space, which is an indirect action in achieving the
objectives of this policy document.
• The Jacana Valley provides an opportunity to address the structural
(i.e. facility provision) and non-structural (i.e. event and service
provisions) aims and objectives of this policy.
• This policy was prepared to ensure that new development provide
for a broad range of accessible, sustainable, green open spaces and
recreational opportunities, including active sports, playgrounds,
passive recreation, formal and informal meeting and community
facilities and spaces connected walking and cycling trails and
pathways, waterways and preserved natural environments.
• Responses from the community during this study identified that
residents rated leisure centres and facilities, parks and open spaces
as places where they felt the least safe.
• This policy document also identifies the importance of safety in urban
design which includes principles such as passive surveillance of
space, linkages and open areas.
• This document, with specific relation to the Jacana Valley and the
study area are the maintenance, protection and improvement of public
open spaces for recreation and biodiversity to ensure a sustainable
urban environment.
• The location of this park is north of the study area however actions,
particularly in relation to water quality of the Moonee Ponds Creek will
have impacts on the study area.
• The key aspect will be to retain, connect and improve linkages
between the two areas.
24

Appendix A
Policy Document
Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Plan
2011
Planning for Broadmeadows:
Emerging Strategic Directions 2010
Broadmeadows Central Activities
District Structure Plan: Context and
Discussion Report 2010
Meadowlink Master Plan
Broadmeadows Structure Plan (Draft)
November 2011
Landfill Bore & Water Quality Reports
Hume City Council Open Space
Strategy 2010 – 2015
Key Policies and Objectives
• This Strategic Plan recommends adopting an integrated approach to
the Moonee Ponds Creek and the surrounding environs.
• Specific strategies for the Jacana Valley include weed management,
increase crossing opportunities, advocate to underground existing
power lines, increase connectivity and linkages, incorporate policy
into planning scheme and implement interpretation and revegetation
strategies.
• This document encompasses the community aspirations for the
Broadmeadows Activity Centre.
• Specifically, the main points are to create linkages (walking, cycling
and biodiversity) between established areas and recreational areas
along the Moonee Ponds Creek in the study area.
• Future directions from this document include investigation of using
small frontages of the study area to facilitate additional residential
development fronting the public open space areas.
• This Master Plan provides an over arching framework for the
development of a walking, cycling and open space link between the
Metropolitan Trail Network at Moonee Ponds Creek and Merlynston
Creek via the Broadmeadows town centre and railway station which
includes the study area.
• The Master Plan encourages linkages between activity areas,
recreational space and residential areas, on a macro scale around
the broader area. The Jacana Valley will build on these principles on a
micro scale for the study area.
• The Draft Structure Plan includes the Johnston Street Reserve within
the study area. Similar to other policy documents and strategies,
the key to utilisation and better planning for the Johnston Street
Reserve and the broader study areas is the improvement of linkages,
biodiversity and usage of these recreational spaces.
• The Jacana Valley Master Plan will build on these principles, on a
micro scale and would not be contrary to any objectives or themes
from this document.
• Study area needs to respond to/reflect CAA’s regional catchment.
• Methane risks to adjoining properties from the former landfill are
generally low
• Gas monitoring indicates that there is a low risk impact to adjoining
residential dwellings however future development of this area is
unknown and would require further environmental investigations
• The Hume City Open Space Strategy 2010-15 has been prepared to
provide a framework for the future planning and provision of open
space across the municipality.
• In relation to the Johnstone Street Reserve, the Strategy identifies the
need for additional facilities.
25

Introduction
Appendix B
Legislation
Environmental Protection Act 1970
The ongoing landfill management and rehabilitation of parts of Johnstone Street Reserve must be
in accordance with the Environment Protection Act 1970. The landfill’s existing buffer to adjacent
land uses must be maintained.
Land Protection Act 1994
The management and protection of stream flows along Moonee Ponds Creek must be in
accordance with the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Environmental Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Flora and Fauna Act 1988. The Growling Grass Frog, a
species classified ‘threatened’ under the Flora and Fauna Act 1988 and ‘vulnerable’ under the
Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 has been identified in
the study area. The Jacana Valley Master Plan will not impact on their habitat or is any habitat
proposed to be impacted. Consultation with Federal and State Authorities may be required.
Planning and Environment Act 1987
As specific in the Planning and Environment Act 1987, ensure any changes in land zoned Public
Park and Recreation (PPRZ) be based on substantiated community need. The re-zoning of PPRZ
land requires approval from the Minister of Planning.
An Environmental Significance Overlay is in place along the Moonee Ponds Creek to protect
significant environmental values ensuring the function of the waterway to support natural flow
and preserving habitat for wildlife.
The Victorian Native Vegetation Management: A Framework for Action 2002 requires net gain
native vegetation offsets if/where native vegetation removal is recommended.
26

Appendix C
Planning Framework
State Planning Policy Framework
Settlement
Planning is to anticipate and respond to the needs of existing and future communities through
provision of zoned and serviced land for housing, employment, recreation and open space,
commercial and community facilities and infrastructure.
Of particular importance from this policy are the requirements for planning of Activity Centres (i.e.
Broadmeadows) and provision for suitable Public Open Space.
The Jacana Valley Master Plan will provide increased access to public open space and will be
integrated through linkages (where possible) with the Broadmeadows Activity Area and is therefore
in accordance with this policy.
Environment & Landscape
The Moonee Ponds Creek Environs is environmentally significant to the area and surrounding
region in terms of native flora and fauna species.
The Jacana Valley Master Plan will retain existing Environmental Planning Controls in the ESO for
the creek and surrounding environs and therefore is not contrary to the policies and directions of
this clause.
The Biodiversity and Native Vegetation Management of this area will not be compromised as part of
the Jacana Valley Master Plan.
Environmental Risk
The study area is subject to environmental risks including landfill / contamination and flooding, all
of which will be considered in terms of both strategic and statutory planning obligations as part of
the Jacana Valley Master Plan.
The landfill area proposed uses will be in accordance with EPA policy and the uses surrounding
and adjoining the Moonee Ponds Creek will be in accordance with Hume Planning Scheme and
Melbourne Water requirements.
Built Environment & Heritage
This policy is pertinent in considering landscape and cultural heritage and urban design elements.
The Jacana Valley Master Plan will consider these policy objectives and address linkages to
landmarks and activities, design for safety, sustainability, cultural identity and neighbourhood
character.
27

Appendix C
Housing
There are potential opportunities to utilise part of the study area owned by Council for residential
development. The City of Hume is a growth area and the rezoning of this land would be in accordance
with State Policy for urban infill development within close proximity to the Broadmeadows Activity
Area.
Local Planning Policy Framework
Community Wellbeing
Hume City is distinguished by the diversity of its community and renowned for social justice,
community inclusion and lifelong learning. Council’s role in creating and enhancing community
wellbeing includes a wide range of community issues.
In particular the Jacana Valley Master Plan will address the key elements of this clause including
provision for housing, health and safety and community services and facilities.
Natural & Built Environment
This policy provides local content and support for the State Planning Policy Framework in relation to
the natural and built environment. Similar to the above mentioned assessment, the Jacana Valley
Master Plan will address issues of biodiversity, catchment and land management, landscapes, open
space and heritage elements of the study area.
Activity Centres
The SPPF designates Broadmeadows as a Central Activity Area, providing similar services and
functions to central Melbourne. As an activity centre it provides a range of retail, commercial,
entertainment, employment, public services and community services and activities integrated with
housing in a location which is highly accessible by road, public transport and bicycle.
Zones & Overlays
Public Use Zone (PUZ1) – Service & Utility
The purpose of this zone is to recognise public land use for public utility and community services
and facilities and provide for associated uses that are consistent with the intent of the public land
reservation or purpose.
This land is known to be owned by both VicRoads and Melbourne Water for service provisions
(existing and future) the Jacana Valley Master Plan must be in accordance with these land uses and
consultation with these authorities will be required.
28

Introduction
Appendix C
Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ)
The purpose of this zone is to recognise areas for public recreation and open space, protect
and conserve areas of significance where appropriate and provide for commercial uses where
appropriate.
This land is owned by Hume City Council and the Jacana Valley Master Plan is an opportunity to
build on existing policy for the planning of the area.
Retail Premises (i.e. café) uses are conditionally permitted within this zone.
Residential 1 Zone (R1Z)
There is a small strip of R1Z land within Jacana Reserve fronting Johnstone Street opposite
Westfield Boulevard. Within the local area, residential dwellings would appear to the be the
highest and best use for R1Z land in the study area.
Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2) – Merri and Moonee Ponds Creeks Environs
The key objectives of this overlay are to maintain and improve the ecological function, waterway
function, recreation use, landscape character and heritage of these areas.
The Jacana Valley Master Plan would seek to build and enhance on these objectives for the study
area including Moonee Ponds Creek.
Melbourne Airports Environs Overlay (MAEO2)
This applies to a small portion of the VicRoads land on the western edge of the study area and is
not considered to be important in relation to the Jacana Valley Master Plan.
Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO1)
This applies to part of the VicRoads land required for the proposed E18 connection road linking
north of the study area to the Western Ring Road along the western boundary of the study
area and section on east near Freeland Grove Reserve above Broadmeadows Sporting Club.
Development of the E14 would have a significant impact on the precinct’s functions and values.
Special Building Overlay (SBO)
This applies to sections of the study area that are subject to inundation and development
should retain a free passage and temporary storage of floodwaters, minimise flood damage,
be compatible with the flood hazard and local drainage conditions and should not cause
significant rise in flood level or flow velocity. The study area will not be prone to negative levels of
development in accordance with these objectives and should not impact on this overlay and the
water quality of Moonee Ponds Creek.
29

Appen
dix D
Preliminary Residential Development Opportunities
33 Sunset Boulevard and Rear
Sunset Boulevard, Jacana
Size:
23,000 m 2 ( 2.3 ha)
Zone:
Public Park and
Recreation Zone
(PPRZ)
Overlays:
Environmental
Significance
Overlay
Estimated Yield: 40 lots (approx.)
@ 500 m 2 per lot
Access:
Multiple entry
points off Sunset
Boulevard
Design
Terraced to
Characteristic:
minimise
impact on
existing
property views
into the valley
Facing valley to
capitalise on
views of valley
Buffer road
separating
residential
allotments and
areas of park
creating
connectivity
and passive
surveillance
Infrastructure
To be confirmed
Requirements:
Servicing:
To be confirmed
Contamination:
To be confirmed
Traffic:
To be confirmed
Geotechnical
To be confirmed
Analysis:
Flora & Fauna: To be confirmed
5 – 35 Freeland Grove, Jacanaa
Size:
14,000 m 2 (1.4
ha)
Zone:
Public Park and
Recreation Zone
(PPRZ)
Overlays:
Not applicable
Estimated Yield: 19 lots (approx.)
@ 500 m 2 per lot
Access:
Via Freeland
Grove (southern
end of site)
Infrastructure
To be confirmed
Requirements:
Servicing:
To be confirmed
Contamination:
To be confirmed
Traffic:
To be confirmed
Geotechnical
To be confirmed
Analysis:
Flora & Fauna: To be confirmed
30