BRIMBANK Council is pushing for a greater slice of Melbourne’s growth pie as the state government launches a new metropolitan planning strategy.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy ditched existing strategies when he came to office and wants to “bring fresh thinking” to growth challenges.
The council’s ‘push’ comes as the state battles to deal with an infrastructure shortfall in the west and struggles to solve rising unemployment out of step with the national jobs market.
“The next 12 months will be critical to the successful development of the metropolitan strategy as we embark on further consultation across the broader community,” Mr Guy said.
The government has put ‘liveability’ and productivity at the centre of the plan and launched a dedicated website around 10 key themes: people, housing, transport, environment, economy, communities, freight, infrastructure, regional areas and peri-urban areas.
It is working with councils, industry and peak bodies and looking at key issues such as land supply, housing affordability, jobs and transport.
Brimbank Council’s general manager of city development, Stephen Sully, said the city had the land, town centres and infrastructure to handle future development and job creation in line with the population explosion.
“One major issue the upcoming metropolitan strategy will have to address is the reorientation of Melbourne’s growth to the west,” he said.
“As the most populous municipality in western Melbourne, Brimbank can play a pivotal role in the region.”
Mr Sully said the council was already pushing for the government to see the potential for growth in existing centres such as Sunshine, Brooklyn, St Albans and Sydenham.
More details at: planmelbourne.vic.gov.au
