Which, Were, What of regional parklands

Eight Mile Creek Corridor.

Which Governments department are you with?

Where are the parklands and who owns them?

What do the parklands have to do with me?

Lets look at these questions and them some.

The development of Albury-Wodonga's regional parklands is in its infancy, but the vision to establish a series of parklands based on the unique, bio-diverse nature of the region has been circulating for more than 10 years.

The vision has reached the point where a Board of Directors has been appointed, the organization has been incorporated in both states and a manager has been appointed.

Until recently the various parcels of land managed by parklands were owned and or managed by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation, the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation, the Murray Darling Basin Commission and local government.

The land is located throughout the Albury-Wodonga region.

North of the Murray the parklands extend to Jindera Gap, west to Splitters Creek and east to Lake Hume.

On the southern side they extend to Baranduda Range, East to Lake Hume and West to McDonalds Hill.

While the various controlling bodies were individually contributing to the establishment of the regional parklands it soon become evident that there was a need for a far more coordinated, strategic approach.

It was also recognized that planning would require significant input from, not only the landowners, but also from interested individuals, various service clubs, special interest groups, commerce and industry.

As a result a Framework Plan, providing a concept for the management of the regional parklands, was prepared in September of 1996.

This plan details a landscape and open space strategy for the region with the parklands Board's mission to 'establish the most magnificent regional parklands in Australia.'

The Board has been appointed to represent the community and key stakeholders. Members are required to undertake strategic parklands planning, develop policy and monitor development of projects on behalf of the community.