Many of these options could provide great benefit to residents and the community, as well as environmental benefits for the city. Some options will be best suited to certain locations, while others may not be possible due to the extreme future flood risk to the land and the constraints of the land.

Under the Voluntary Home Buy Back (VHBB) program guidelines, land must remain as green or open space (non-inhabitable use) and we cannot build any structures or add any infrastructure that could affect the flood resilience of the site.

While many options will provide great benefit to our city, it is important to remember that all land purchased under this program was done so due to previous severe flooding and its high flood risk for future flooding.

This list is not exhaustive and we are looking for more ideas and potential options from you!

  • Environmental Offset

    Benefits

    • Environmental benefits/ offset
    • Land revegetation
    • Improve biodiversity
    • Improve stormwater quality
    • Green corridors in both urban and rural locations
    • Habitat for animals, threatened species and ecosystems
    • Partnership opportunities


    Barriers

    • Future flood impact (could be minimised by works undertaken and plant/ vegetation selection)
  • Koala Food Forest

    Benefits

    • Provide food for Koala’s (and other animals) in care
    • Environmental benefits
    • Improve biodiversity
    • Emergency feed source during bushfires and other natural disasters
    • Could be utilised on moderate size lots
    • Partnership opportunities


    Barriers

    • Future flood impact (could be minimised by works undertaken and plant organisation)
  • Micro Forest

    Benefits

    • Community Involvement (schools, community groups)
    • Environmental benefits
    • ‘Tiny’ forest in suburban areas on moderate size lots
    • Minimal ongoing maintenance and cost


    Barriers

    • Water supply
    • Future flood impact (could be minimised by plant selection)
  • Off Leash Dog Park

    Benefits

    • Provide additional facilities for dog owners in the community
    • Health and wellbeing


    Barriers
    • Impact on adjoining (or close proximity) properties and residents.
    • Minimum land size requirements
    • Requirements under the Dog off Leash Park Policy and local planning
  • Community Garden

    Benefits

    • Increase community engagement and involvement
    • Health and wellbeing
    • Sustainability


    Barriers

    • Inability to have storage or lighting on site.
    • Ownership (e.g community group or school)
    • Water cost and supply
    • Future flood impacts
  • Cultural Meeting Point

    Benefits

    • Community involvement
    • Cultural understanding and diversity
    • Culturally significant locations


    Barriers

    • Future flooding impact
  • Connectivity - Walking and Cycling

    Benefits

    • Connecting existing paths
    • Health and wellbeing


    Barriers

    • Location would need to connect to existing pathways or be in a location that would allow for residents to easily access and connect.
    • Future flood impact
  • Park and Ride Facilities

    Benefits

    • Provide additional space for residents utilising facilities (e.g. train station)
    • Greater accessibility


    Barriers

    • Impact on adjoining residents/ properties
    • Inability to have lighting or other infrastructure.
    • Future flood impact
  • Car parking facilities

    Benefits

    • Provide off road public parking facilities to community around sporting fields and recreation spaces
    • Community safety


    Barriers

    • Impact on adjoining residents/ properties
    • Inability to have lighting or other infrastructure.
    • Future flood impact
  • Leasehold

    Benefits

    • Provide additional land/grazing opportunities for residents
    • No maintenance/mowing required ongoing


    Barriers

    • Site Constraints, for example land size
    • Animal welfare
    • Inability to have shade structures, storage and access to water
    • Standards of agistment (animal numbers and type)
    • Future flooding impact
  • New Park

    Benefits

    • Provide additional space for community
    • Healthy and active community


    Barriers

    • Not currently planned as part of the Local Government Infrastructure Plan
    • Site Constraints
    • Inability to have lighting and other infrastructure
    • Future flood impact

*Please note, feasibility studies, planning and future funding will need to be considered for all options identified.

Share your thoughts!

Help us understand potential future use options of VHBB land by providing your feedback by 8 December 2024.