Big things are coming to the City of Melbourne’s largest park. Last week, council endorsed a 20-year Master Plan for Royal Park, with a vision to support its wildlife and biodiversity, expand the parklands and even make it Victoria’s first ever Urban Night Sky Place. The Murrup Biik – Royal Park Master Plan was created from three years of community consultation and expert review, and is the first long-term plan for the park since 1997.
Royal Park Master Plan
Located in Parkville, this massive area stretches across 170 hectares, and is home to around 1,000 species of plants and animals, including 29 threatened species. Over 40,000 people visit Royal Park every day, and that number is expected to grow to 55,000 by 2046.
“As our city grows, so does the need to protect and improve this vital green space,” said Lord Mayor Nick Reece. “Our long-term vision is simple – more parkland, a healthier park and better access for everyone. We want to create more green open space, restore habitat, better recognise Royal Park’s enduring connection to Aboriginal culture, and make it easier and safer to get around.”
A vision for the future
The Master Plan aims to accommodate increased demand by growing the park, and creating more publicly accessible open space. It will look at ways to make better use of existing sports fields, to suit both organised sport and other activities, as well as improve walking and cycling trails, so that visitors can more around more freely.
Beyond the sprawling lawns, sports fields, playgrounds and dog off-leash areas, you’ll find native gardens, wetlands and eucalypt forests. The 20-year vision aims to protect the park’s natural environment and support biodiversity by expanding native habitat, improving ecological connections and creating better conditions for plants and animals. It also proposes introducing new water sources to support cooling, making it more climate resilient.
Council is also seeking an Urban Night Sky Place designation for Royal Park, which will help protect local animals like bats and birds, and allow visitors to go stargazing. This will be balanced by improved lighting around high-use spots and routes around the park, to help the community feel safer.
Developed with input from Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Traditional Owners, the plan also focuses on recognising and honouring their connection to Country.
While the plan doesn’t lock in specific projects, it will provide a long-term framework, guiding decision-making over the coming years.
To read more about it, click here.
