New standards for open space
New standards have been set by Baw Baw Shire for the maintenance of open spaces.
Following community consultation earlier this year, council adopted its open space maintenance standard to ensure consistent daily maintenance of council’s open spaces and assets.
A report to council said development of the standards was a key action identified in a best value review of council’s parks and gardens operations.
Open space assets include public parkland and landscaped areas, sport fields, bushland reserves and plantings, and trees in road reserves within the municipality.
A key concern identified in the community consultation was the need for appropriate hygiene practices during maintenance to reduce the potential spread of biosecurity risks.
As a result of this concern, standards were amended to include hygiene practices to decrease these risks.
The standards provide a framework that specifies the level to which each aspect of open space will be maintained; an inspection frequency; and, response times for maintenance works to be completed.
The report said council operated internal crews to support routine maintenance tasks associated with open space, streetscapes and reserves maintenance.
“These crews also respond to customer requests, reactive works and storm and emergency issues across the shire. Specialist tasks are supported by contractors including tree works, sports field works and spraying.
“These standards have been developed for staff, contractors and community to provide a common understanding and application of routine maintenance of open space and associated assets.
There are more than 500 sites and properties included in council’s open space assets.
The policy states any defect that may affect the safe operation and usage of any asset should be attended to immediately.
Where it is cost efficient to address other defects where a crew is working, the standards state it should be rectified at the same time, particularly at more remote locations.
Mayor Debbie Brown said the standards would provide a clear understanding for the community on how open space will be maintained.
“Baw Baw Shire is experiencing significant growth which is predicted to continue; the open space maintenance standards provides both council and the community with a plan to better manage our open space areas into the future,” she said.