Project objective
20 Wangara Road was previously used as a quarry and municipal landfill, which has contaminated the site. At the November 2022 meeting, Council endorsed the future use of the land at Wangara Road as an “Interactive Passive Open Space with an Environmental Focus”. Council recognised the master planning process for the site’s six-hectares, acknowledged the development constraints, and adherence to the Environmental Action Notices (EANs) relevant to the former landfill site, issued by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
It was moved the Masterplan should consider incorporating:
- A mother stock area for the Bayside Community Nursery
- Interactive garden beds
- Protection and enhancement for native wildlife including Bronzewing habitat
- A large Floral Clock (consisting of predominantly indigenous plants).
To help draft the site’s Masterplan, we undertook a three-month community consultation between November 2023 and February 2024. A second phase of consultation to test sentiment for and help develop the draft masterplan is planned for May 2024.
The community engagement program seeks to share information about the site’s development limitations and to build an understanding about how the community would like to utilise and experience the site.
Through consultation and engagement, Council is inviting the community to share their ideas and aspirations to assist in drafting the constraints-based Masterplan.
We’ll analyse the community and stakeholder feedback to help inform the draft Masterplan. The Masterplan will align with the Bayside 2050 Community Vision, Bayside City Council Plan 2021-25, Annual Action Plan (2023-2024), the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-24, the Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-27, Bayside Open Space Strategy and other related Council plans and strategies.
We’ll share the draft Masterplan and undertake a Phase 2 community consultation in May 2024 after the draft is presented to Council. An area within the site may also be allocated to manage overflow car parking from the Bayside Community Sports Centre at Sandringham College. This is considered a separate project and is outside of the scope of the Wangara Road Masterplan.
Project impacts
Due to the site’s historical use as a quarry and a municipal landfill, and EANs issued by the EPA, there are significant development limitations. These are largely in relation to proposed landfill capping, ongoing compliance monitoring (leachate, stormwater, gas etc.) and additional future management considerations (resulting in a ‘constraints-based masterplan’). Some of which are as follows:
- Deep-rooted plants and trees, infrastructure that required foundations or piling are unlikely to be supported.
- It is unlikely that additional enclosed buildings will be suitable at this site.
- Infrastructure including paths, benches and tables are likely to be permitted, as will shallow growing vegetation, but will have to undergo appropriate assessments.
- A stormwater drain will be installed along the northern boundary to direct surface waters away from the existing buildings on-site.
In June 2023, Council submitted the site’s Rehabilitation Plan to the EPA for endorsement. The Rehabilitation Plan will be used to mitigate the contamination created through the site’s former use and provide an understanding of built form and landscaping opportunities and constraints for the site.
The EPA need to approve the proposed Rehabilitation Plan before it can be implemented. The actions within the plan may span several years. The approved Rehabilitation Plan will establish the level of rehabilitation and remediation required before we can finalise the masterplan.
What information do we need from the community?
The three-month community engagement period will gather ideas about the aspirational use, design, and planting at the site. Participant contributions are being shared on a digital comments board, with like/ comment capability. Feedback collected will help inform the draft Masterplan.
The second phase of community engagement to the draft masterplan in May 2024, will help to refine it to meet feasible community aspirations.
Community engagement will seek to understand:
- Ideas for features, planting locations and design elements to be considered for the site’s master planning
- Community and stakeholder sentiment about the master planning ideas expressed by Councillors
- Mother stock area for Bayside Community Nursery
- Interactive garden beds
- Some parameters pertaining to the protection and enhancement of native wildlife Bronzewing habitat
- Large floral clock consisting of predominantly indigenous plants
- How the community envision the site being used, and who will use it.
What can the community influence?
- Ways to improve biodiversity at the site
- Features to include to improve enjoyment of the passive open space
- Expressions of interest for a 'friends of' group
- Locations of paths, seating, and tables
- Existing built infrastructure
- Locations of shallow vegetation (deep rooted vegetation cannot be accommodated due to the historic use as a landfill site and noted contamination)
What can’t the community influence?
- If a master planning process is undertaken for the Interactive Passive Open Space with an Environmental Focus
- Adherence to EPA notice, an endorsed Rehabilitation Plan and Landfill requirements
- Existing vegetation and proposed EVC species pallet
- Landfill cap disturbance
- Planting of deep-rooted vegetation
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 | Interest | Impact | Influence |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | M | M | Involve |
| Local residents | H | H | Consult |
| Local businesses | M | M | Consult |
| Environmental and Friends’ of Groups:
| H | H | Consult |
| Sandringham Driving Range (former)/ Sandy Mini Golf) | H | H | Involve |
| Bayside District Netball Association | H | M | Consult |
| Sandringham College | M | M | Consult |
| Bayside Dog Alliance | H | M | Consult |
| Bayside advisory and representative committees:
| H | 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
- Postcard mailbox drop to residents within a 500m radius of the Wangara Road site
- Signage around perimeter of Wangara Road site, and at Merindah Park, Pobblebonk Park and George Street Reserve
- Direct e-mail to community members/groups that have an interest in open space
- Council website (news story)
- This Week in Bayside (Council e-newsletter)
- In the Loop (Council staff e-newsletter)
- Social media, organic and paid
Key methods for gathering feedback - phase 1
- Online ideas/ comments board on Have Your Say project page
- Face-to-face at:
- Sandy Festival, Sandringham Village, 1pm - 4pm, Saturday December 2
- Sandringham Twilight Market, Foreshore Reserve, 3pm – 8pm Saturday February 3
- Email, post, or phone submissions
- Opportunity for to book a meeting with Project Manager
- Printed materials, as required.
Key methods for gathering feedback - phase 2
- Online survey or written statement via the Have Your Say project page
- Q&A forum
- Email, post, or phone submissions
- Opportunity for to book a meeting with Project Manager
- Printed materials, as required.
Project timelines
| Rehabilitation Plan submission (EPA) | June 2023 |
| Phase 1 community engagement – generating ideas and visioning | 29 November – 28 February 2024 |
| Draft Masterplan developed | March 2024 |
| Draft Masterplan presented to Council | April 2024 |
| Phase 2 community engagement on draft Masterplan | 1- 26 May 2024 |
| Masterplan – adopted (anticipated) | July 2024 |
Decision-making process
We will engage the community in a two-phase consultation campaign. Phase 1 to generate ideas and visioning, and Phase 2 to present the draft. It is expected that Council will consider the Wangara Road Masterplan for adoption at its July 2024 meeting.
The agenda for this meeting will be published a week before the meeting date. Interested community members can make a submission or request to speak in relation to this project at the meeting.
Please select the +Subscribe button at the top of the page to receive updates about this project, including when it will be considered by Council and any further opportunities to participate in this project.
More information
Elley Thomas
Biodiversity and Foreshore Planning Officer
03 9599 4407
