Green wedge management plans

Melbourne’s green wedges are non-urban areas that support a wide range of land uses, including productive agriculture, conservation, tourism, recreation, and resource extraction. Green Wedge Management Plans (GWMPs) guide councils in protecting and managing these important non-urban areas now and into the future.

Green wedge management plans

A Green Wedge Management Plan (GWMP) is a council-prepared plan that sets out a long-term vision, strategies and actions to protect, enhance and manage non-urban land in Melbourne’s green wedges.

GWMPs are required under Part 3AA of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. They ensure green wedge land continues to provide for a variety of non-urban uses, including agriculture, mineral and stone resources, tourism, and recreation, while protecting key environmental and landscape values.

Green wedge land is declared and protected through the planning system, including:

• Part 3AA of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which sets out the framework for declaring green wedge land, preparing and reviewing green wedge management plans, and maintaining Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)
• Clause 11.01-1R (Green wedges) of the planning scheme, which sets the strategic policy to protect Melbourne’s green wedges from inappropriate development while supporting a range of productive and non-urban uses
• Green Wedge Zones and Rural Conservation Zones in the planning scheme, which guide land use and development in green wedges
• Clause 51.02 (Metropolitan green wedge land: core planning provisions) of the planning scheme, which limits uses and subdivision to maintain the rural and open character and ensure non-urban values are protected.

Importance of green wedge management plans

Melbourne’s 12 designated green wedges surround the UGB.

They protect non-urban land for:

• Productive agriculture and local food supply
• Extractive industries such as stone and mineral resources
• Biodiversity and native vegetation
• Cultural heritage and significant landscapes
• Recreation, tourism and outdoor leisure close to the city
• Rural-based businesses and compatible industries that cannot be located in urban areas.

A GWMP supports the balance between protecting important values and allowing for appropriate non-urban uses. It helps councils guide land use and development in line with state and local policy and ensures decisions are clear, consistent and locally informed.

Green wedge management plan requirements

Under Part 3AA of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, each council must prepare, adopt and review a GWMP for green wedge land in its municipality.

The Ministerial Direction on the Preparation and Content of Green Wedge Management Plans requires councils to:

• Identify the non-urban values and uses of green wedge land, including agriculture, extractives and other productive uses
• Develop strategies for protecting, enhancing and promoting these values and uses
• Consult with Traditional Owners, the community and other key stakeholders.

Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, green wedge land means land described in a metropolitan fringe planning scheme as being outside an UGB.

Preparing a green wedge management plan

Councils are responsible for preparing, implementing and reviewing GWMPs.

This involves:

• Reviewing existing policies, planning controls and local priorities
• Identifying land uses, opportunities and challenges across agriculture, extractive industries, conservation, recreation, tourism and rural-based businesses
• Consulting with the community, Traditional Owners, any relevant Minister, government department or public authority responsible for public land, and the local Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
• Developing practical actions to guide sustainable land management, investment and decision-making
• Following the Victorian Government’s Public Engagement Framework to ensure community and stakeholder input is genuine and transparent.

Content within the green wedge management plan

A GWMP must:

• Identify the non-urban values and uses of green wedge land, including agricultural, extractive, cultural heritage, recreational, tourism and conservation values.
• Include strategies for:
  • Protecting, enhancing and promoting these values and uses
  • Managing land sustainably in line with the objectives in section 46AD of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Consulting with Traditional Owners

The Ministerial Direction on the Preparation and Content of Green Wedge Management Plans specifies requirements to consult with Traditional Owners in the preparation of GWMPs to protect cultural heritage values and Country.

Councils should identify the Registered Aboriginal Party (within the meaning of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) for green wedge land. In relation to the GWMP area, councils should also consider whether any Traditional Owner group has a Recognition and Settlement Agreement, or a native title claim over the GWMP area.

Councils should consider applying the following approach when consulting with Traditional Owners:

• Identify the Traditional Owners of Country and whether a GWMP may impact their rights and interests.
• Consult with Traditional Owners early in project planning. Engage as project partners, where possible
• Consider and plan resources which may be required to engage meaningfully with a Traditional Owner group
• Develop practical actions to incorporate Traditional Owners’ values and aspirations for Country and enhance management of Country
• Maintain ongoing engagement with Traditional Owners and allow for self-determined engagement to support collective decision-making
• Ensuring cultural safety is maintained throughout consultation
• Consider developing council staff capability by undertaking Traditional Owner-led Cultural Awareness training or similar
• Seek to align GWMP objectives with Traditional Owner priorities, supported by appropriate documentation including cultural values assessments, Whole-of-Country Plans and Joint Management Agreements
• Meet on Country to build genuine partnerships and support better understanding of the impacts on Country and Traditional Owners’ rights and interests
• Set realistic timeframes that respect Traditional Owner decision-making processes.

Implementing and reviewing GWMPs

A GWMP should include clear actions, responsibilities and timelines. Councils should monitor implementation and review the GWMP regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

Once adopted by the council, a GWMP may support updates to local planning policies, inform planning scheme amendments and guide investment and partnerships to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Page last updated: 16/07/25