Originally formed in 1989 when the Park was first threatened by developers, the Rosanna Parklands Protection Association is a group of local residents whose vision is to protect: Rosanna Parklands as a natural, public open space for informal, passive recreation; the distinctly Australian style of landscape; the heritage of Ellis Stones' aims, designs and landscape features; the native flora and fauna; the remnant indigenous vegetation; the exotic vegetation with heritage or landscape value; Salt Creek as a healthy living stream and the wildlife corridor. To achieve these aims RoPPA undertakes to: learn about, and raise awareness of, the natural, heritage and landscape values of the park; provide a forum for members of the community to express their views about the park; advocate management that protects these values and preserves future benefits for the community and support projects consistent with our aims. The Park is classified as a Public Conservation and Resource Zone and is covered by a heritage overlay. It is also covered by environmental significance and vegetation protection overlays which commits Council to observe environmental protocols in its dealings with the Park. This classification is different to the adjacent Macleod Park which is Public Park and Recreation Zone. Macleod Park is a built environment with two sets of public toilets, a maternal and child health centre and a public hall as well as a sporting oval and tennis courts	Browns Reserve
	Photos by Doug Frood

	2008/09
Name	Role	Phone
Doug Franklin	President	9457 2883
Heather Hobbs	Vice President	-
Dianne Murphy	Treasurer	9458 3106
Margaret James	Secretary
Ian Smith	Ordinary Member
Lynton Thomas	Ordinary Member
Vacant	Ordinary Member

RoPPA's History

About thirty years ago a group of Rosanna residents objected to a proposed housing development on the flood plain of Salt Creek. Rosanna Parklands was the outcome.

In later years, residents challenged proposals for an electrical sub-station and a flood retarding basin, the Park remained intact. RoPPA's beginnings were, and current aims are, to protect Rosanna Parklands.

Rosanna Parklands appears to be an empty space and, as a result, there is destined to be an on-going stream of proposals for development. However, as time goes by, plain and simple open space will become increasingly rare and more highly valued.

Remnant Areas of Native Grass

Remnant areas of native grasses exist in the north-western section of Rosanna Parklands. Two of the indigenous species (Flax - lily and Short Wallaby-grass) are considered highly significant.

Remnant flora include:

• Austrodanthonia caespitosa (Common Wallaby-grass)
• Austrodonthonia carphoides (Short Wallaby-grass)
• Austrodonthonia ?laevis (Smooth Wallaby-grass)
• Austrodonthonia racemosa (Stiped Wallaby-grass)
• Austrodonthonia setacea (Bristly Wallaby-grass)
• Dianella amoena (Flax lily)
• Lomandra filiformis ssp. coriacea (Wattle Mat-rush)
• Lomandra filiformis ssp. filiformis (Wattle Mat-rush)
• Microlaena stipoides (Weeping Grass)
• Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass)

Some of these species are Regionally Significant and extremely rare in Banyule. The remnant patches provide a basis for the re-establishment of indigenous vegetation.

Survey Conducted by Banyule City Council Consultants

The importance of the parklands to the community was expressed in a survey conducted by Banyule Council’s consultants, Thompson Berrill Landscape Design. The survey was conducted over several years, 2002 – 2004 and found the following.

Summary of Thompson-Berrill findings:·

• The community values the natural environment and the lack of built form. The consistency of these values "far outweighs" any request for facilities.·
• The real value for residents is the unspoilt nature of the Parklands·
• The community is unanimous in endorsing the protection and enhancement of environmental and heritage values.·
• The community wish the Parklands to "not be developed".·
• "An enormous number of people use the Parklands for walking"; it is by far the dominant activity.· The elderly walking population appreciate the lack of high-speed cyclists.·
• The community appreciates the unsealed trails on the basis of natural character. They want to retain the Parklands as a safe walking (not cycling) parklands with "absolutely no sealed trails".·
• The community have been very clear that they do not want concrete paths, sporting facilities, carparks or signage. This is in stark contrast to other communities, suggesting this is a very special environment.·
• The overwhelming majority of visitors use all of the parklands, on a very regular basis.· Rosanna Parklands provides a highly social and informal atmosphere, with diverse activities that contribute to a healthy and relaxed lifestyle.·
• The community are very clear as to their vision. The Parklands openness, tranquility, naturalness and safeness are highly valued.
• They wish the Parklands to not be developed or modified.·
• It is the Parklands informal, undeveloped and natural character that sets it aside, and makes it unique.