The Western Plains South Green Wedge is one of 12 designated Green Wedge areas that form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne. Green Wedges are rural areas (non-urban) that lie outside of the Urban Growth Boundary and are areas of land with agricultural, environmental, historic, landscape, recreation and/or tourism value. Green Wedges provide a landscape buffer for urban and urban growth areas and are typically locations where minimal development is allowed.

Melton City Council has two designated Green Wedges – The Western Plains South and the Western Plains North.

The Western Plains South Green Wedge is shown in the map below, it spans across the southern area of the City of Melton and the north-western area of the City of Wyndham. The Western Plains South is characterised by wide open volcanic plains and scattered rare native grassland flora and fauna.

More information on green wedges can be found at the Department of Transport and Planning’s website planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/green-wedges

Council is required by the State government to prepare a Green Wedge Management Plan for its green wedges.

The Western Plains South Green Wedge Management Plan is a draft document that identifies a vision, objectives and actions for the sustainable use and development for the Western Plains South Green Wedge located within the City of Melton. The plan identifies the issues and opportunities in the area, provides guidance for land use planning and land management and highlights opportunities for future projects in the area.

The plan follows on from previous work culminating in a background report in 2018 and consultation with stakeholders in 2019. The background report was prepared with Wyndham City Council for the entirety of the Western Plains South Green Wedge Area, however the proposed plan refers to the green wedge area within the City of Melton only and does not include the Western Plains South area that extends across the City of Wyndham.

Council prepared and then adopted the Western Plains North Green Wedge Management Plan in 2014. The plan can be viewed at melton.vic.gov.au/WPNGWMP

The draft plan includes a number of actions relating to the different chapters in the document. Example actions include:

• Advocating for funding for the Werribee River (pedestrian and cycling) Trail.
• Investigate opportunities with First Nations Peoples for access and recognition of Mt Cottrell.
• Investigating recycled water irrigation opportunities for to support new forms of agriculture.

Council and the Western Plains South Green Wedge Management Plan has no influence over:

• Changes to the Urban Growth Boundary (ie. rezoning rural land to urban land). The current Urban Growth Boundary was reaffirmed as the outerlimit for growth by the State Government through its planning strategy, Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 at Policy 2.1.1 and can only be changed by majority vote in both houses of Parliament.
• The Western Grasslands Reserve (WGR) which is a State Government reserve managed by Parks Victoria under the Parks Victoria Act 2018.
• Outer Metropolitan Ring (OMR) freeway reservation which is State Government planned infrastructure.

Digital copies of the draft plan are available in the document library and a hard copy is available for inspection from Monday 8 May 2023 onward at the following locations:

During office hours at Melton Civic Centre at 232 High Street, Melton.

During office hours at Caroline Springs Civic Centre/Library, 193-201 Caroline Springs Blvd, Caroline Springs.

Council Officers are also available to discuss the Amendment with the community by email citysupport@melton.vic.gov.au and via phone on 9747 7200.

Following the closing date, feedback will be considered by Council officers and subsequent revisions made to the plan. The plan will then be presented at a future Ordinary meeting of Council, for Council to consider.