We are developing a new Open Space Strategy that will inform how we plan, deliver and maintain open space in Merri-bek. We want to hear directly from the people who use the spaces and places around Merri-bek to make sure the city is livable, green and designed with future generations in mind.

We want to find out:

  • How you use Merri-bek's open space.
  • What you value about open space.
  • How open spaces could be improved in Merri-bek.
  • How you think Council can plan and manage open space into the future.

Project news

Acknowledging Traditional Owners

Our open space exists on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways in the area now known as Merri-bek. The creation of a new Open Space Strategy is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate a greater level of respect for Country and our open space. The new Open Space Strategy will explore how Council can increase integration of Traditional Owner knowledge into how we use, manage, plan, and maintain our open space. We will build upon existing actions and discussions, such as the renaming of Council to Merri-bek City Council and the recent Merri Creek Parklands discussions. We will aim to work closely with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation throughout the creation of our new Open Space Strategy.

What is Open Space?

When we talk about open space we are talking about land that is used by the community for outdoor recreation and leisure. Some ways people use open space include:

  • playing
  • relaxing
  • walking or jogging
  • dog walking
  • organised sport or informal sports recreation
  • active commuting.

In Merri-bek there are over 350 spaces managed by Council.

Examples of open space in Merri-bek

7 circles with different images of outdoor spaces in them.

How you can participate

We have written a discussion paper that outlines key themes (identified below) through other engagements, comments and questions from our community, research and information from within Council.

The themes are summarised on the pages below. On each page you will find an activity where you can share your own experiences and ideas. Visit them all or just participate in the topics that are important to you.

You will need to have a Conversations Merri-bek account to participate in the activities on these pages. If you don't want to make an account or if you prefer a survey format, you can complete our survey without being logged in.

We also have a calendar of events where you can share your thoughts in person.

  1. Find the teal-coloured "LOG IN/JOIN" button at the top of the page and click it to start registering.
  2. Select "LOG IN" if you already have a profile on Conversations Merri-bek OR select "SIGN UP" to create a new profile.
  3. To create your profile you will need to add: Screen name, email address, password, full name and postcode. Any extra questions you answer give us a better idea of who we're hearing from so we'd love to know more about you. Once you have entered your details hit "CREATE ACCOUNT".
  4. Now you can use the activities on each page.

We are asking people to register for these activities to help us collect important information about the communities we are hearing from.

Merri-bek is a diverse community and we want our community engagement to reflect that.

This information helps us to meet our legislative obligations and improve our processes. We want our decisions to benefit as many of the diverse people who use open spaces in Merri-bek as possible.

Your information will not be used for any other purpose.

For details on how Merri-bek City Council collects and protects your personal information, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Join the conversation

More ways to get involved

  • Chat to us in person

    We are holding pop-up conversations and structured workshops all around Merri-bek during the consultation.

    Dates and locations 
  • Take our survey

    If you prefer a survey format you can comment on all the questions we are asking across our various activities here.

    Take the survey