Planning for the Jamboree started in 1962, when the Victorian Government
approved the application from Scouting Victoria for the temporary use of 160 hectares
of Crown Land within the Police Paddocks Reserve. The perimeter was 4.93 km.In 1964, the final layout Plan for the Jamboree became a detailed operational Project, and construction of the
infrastructure and services commenced. Extensive clearing of blackberries, weeds, and vegetation occurred, including demolition
and removal of structures, water channels, drains and fences which dated back to the period of occupation by the Police
Horse Depot prior to 1931.
The area was undeveloped,
and contained several parcels of cleared land which had been stripped of trees in the 1830s by woodcutters.
The 1945 Aerial Photo Map of Melbourne (Melbourne University) shows
the land which would become the site of the Jamboree some 20 years into the future.
Study of that map reveals the extent and location of the cleared areas as at that time. This included the land which
would become the Main Arena, the Main Assembly Area, the Shopping Mall, the Skillorama Area, the Challenge Valley Area and
the car parks.
