Project objectives
Strategically planning the use of Bayside’s open space network will provide a consistent framework for prioritising, improving, developing, and managing municipal open space assets.
The Bayside Open Space Strategy (BOSS) aims to:
- inform initiatives, decisions and deliverables for Bayside’s open space
- maintain and enhance the useability of local open space assets for informal and formal activity
- provide inclusive, welcoming, accessible open space opportunities for all ages and abilities
- guide the planning, management and delivery of a quality open space network
- investigate opportunities to protect, optimise and grow Council’s open space network
- inform an action plan for maintenance, upgrades and growth
- embed the Bayside 2050 Community Vision’s aspirational views of:
- ensuring open space and community infrastructure on recreational land, has the potential for multipurpose use
- barriers to participation for all people in accessing Council and community services to be identified and solutions implemented
- ensure existing open space is maintained, protected and accessible to all.
The engagement program seeks to understand community sentiment about the draft BOSS. Feedback and ideas will help to identify gaps, opportunities for improvement, and growth areas to help support an inclusive and accessible active community:
- does it align to the three strategy pillars: Protect, Optimise and Grow.
- are Bayside’s open space resources being used optimally (including use and value)
Community and stakeholder feedback will help to inform the final draft. The renewed strategy will also consider the review of existing policies, strategies and related action plans, including the Bayside Open Space strategy, the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021 – 25, the Bayside 2050 Community Vision, the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-24, and the Bayside City Council Plan 2021 - 25.
Project impacts
The scope of Bayside’s open space in Bayside is comprehensive. The BOSS will consider the various uses, impacts and values placed on Bayside’s open spaces, including but not limited to:
- protecting and enhancing biodiversity
- conservation and ecosystem health
- mitigating urban heat island effect
- population growth
- optimising space for multi-use
- the importance of connection of green spaces, health and wellbeing.
Initiatives stemming from the strategy will impact all Bayside residents, volunteer and member groups, and visitors to the municipality. Through effective and collaborative planning, Council can support a healthy and connected community by providing accessible and multi-use open spaces facilities, efficient management processes, and maintained and improved infrastructure.
Influences that are shaping the strategic direction include:
- environmental impact
- the Bayside 2050 Community Vision
- capacity and demand for facilities
- Local, State and Federal Government data trends and forecasts
- consideration of the functionality and multipurpose use of assets
- census data and Bayside’s demographic profile
- accessibility, inclusivity, and cultural acknowledgment
What information do we need from the community?
The 4-week community engagement program will gather feedback through a survey, ahotspot map with embedded surveys, face-to-face engagement sessions, and stakeholder meetings.
The consultation will seek feedback on:
- Community sentiment about existing open space offerings.
- Popular and sought-after opportunities through Bayside’s open space network.
- Priorities for maintaining and upgrading open space assets.
- Ideas for improving social connection and wellbeing through open space.
- Community priorities to protect, optimise and grow open space in Bayside.
Community feedback on the draft will help to finalise the strategy before being presented to Council for endorsement.
What can the community influence?
- Identifying open space priorities, issues, opportunities and ideas.
- The action plan for the renewed BOSS.
- Ideas for about existing (and new) open space initiatives.
What can’t the community influence?
- The development of the BOSS.
- The term of relevancy attributed to the strategy.
- The dates, timelines and milestones involved in the development, service delivery and implementation of the strategy.
- Council’s budgetary process and strategy financial allocations (this is subject to separate community engagement on the annual budget).
- Alignment to any legislative, anti-discriminatory, ethical, and culturally sensitive requirements/guidelines
- Proposed fees increase for new open space developer contributions.
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
Stakeholder / community | Impact | Interest | Influence |
| Bayside City Council staff | H | H | Collaborate |
| Bayside residents | H | H | Consult |
| Visitors to Bayside | M | L | Consult |
| Bayside advisory and representative committees:
| M | H | Consult |
| Volunteer groups/ organisations | M | M | Consult |
| Community action and ‘Friends of’ groups | M | M | Consult |
| Dog owners/walkers and Bayside Dog Alliance (BDA) | H | H | Consult |
| Open Space conservation/environmental groups | H | H | Consult |
| Bayside Business Network | M | M | Consult |
| Bayside Tourism Network | M | M | Consult |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.
Key tools for communicating the project
- Project page on Have Your Say engagement platform
- Direct email to relevant Have Your Say members
- Direct e-mail to community members/groups that have an interest in Bayside’s open space network and council strategy development
- Signage at identified high-use open space areas in Bayside
- Digital signage at Bayside libraries and Bayside Council Corporate Centre
- This Week in Bayside (Council e-newsletter)
- Council website (news story)
- Social media
- In the Loop (Council staff e-newsletter)
Key methods for gathering feedback
- Survey
- Social map with embedded survey
- Face-to-face engagement Talk to Us events
- Opportunity for key stakeholders to book a meeting with Council Officer to discuss the project
- Printed materials, as required.
Project timelines
| Community consultation to gather feedback about the draft strategies | Active | 24 July - 21 August 2025 |
| Collate and consider feedback | Incomplete | July - August 2025 |
| Draft final strategy | Incomplete | September 2025 |
| Strategy endorsed (anticipated) | Incomplete | 14 October 2025 |
| Implementation of actions | Incomplete | 2025 - 2035 |
We’ll engage the community in a 4-week campaign to gather feedback on the draft Bayside Open Space Strategy. Feedback will help to inform amendments to the draft before being presented to Council for endorsement.
It is expected that Council will consider the Bayside Open Space strategy for adoption at the 14 October 2025 meeting.
Meeting agendas are published one week prior to scheduled meetings. Interested community members can make a submission or request to speak at a meeting in relation to this project.
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More information
Amy Weir
Biodiversity and Conservation Planning Officer
03 9599 4339
