The public parks, gardens, bushland and open spaces of Melbourne are central to the cultural, recreational and sporting traditions of our city. They belong to the community

The parklands are vital assets and adequate resources must be devoted to maintaining them. They provide the essential balance against the environmental impact of continuing urban growth.

There must be legal safeguards against commercial interests and state and local government projects that threaten them. Any proposal that would alter existing forms of recreational use or diminish or degrade parklands must be subject to full and open consultation and objective assessment.

Positive environmental and social outcomes must be demonstrated before any changes are made. Furthermore, there must be an undertaking that any open spaces lost be replaced with areas equal in size and quality.

Melbourne has inherited a world class system of open spaces of which it has long been proud. Our parks, gardens, bushland and open spaces must be preserved.