Plan Melbourne strategy drives jobs, transport and investment
Melbourne is set to become a powerhouse of jobs, investment and greater opportunity with the release of the Victorian Coalition Government’s new city shaping strategy to 2050, Plan Melbourne, Premier Denis Napthine announced today.
Joined by Minister for Planning Matthew Guy, Dr Napthine said Plan Melbourne integrated game-changing transport projects with job-creating urban renewal and activity precincts, close to homes and services that people need.
“I am delighted to release this final plan for our city that will deliver more jobs, more transport choices, more homes and more lifestyle opportunities across Melbourne,” Dr Napthine said.
“It is vital that Melbourne’s liveability is treasured and maintained. Plan Melbourne outlines the leadership and direction for Melbourne to remain a great place to live, and do business well into the future.
“The plan creates a clear picture of Melbourne’s infrastructure-led growth to 2050 and a long term plan integrating Victoria’s regions with metropolitan Melbourne,” Dr Napthine said.
Dr Napthine said Plan Melbourne would be the strategic framework behind the biggest infrastructure program in Victoria’s history.
“The Coalition Government committed a record $27 billion in the 2014-15 State Budget for state shaping economic infrastructure that will create jobs, boost productivity and a build a better Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.
The plan reflects newly committed transport projects such as the Melbourne Rail Link, including the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, and the full East-West Link road project, connecting the Western Ring Road at Sunshine West to the Eastern Freeway.
Mr Guy said Plan Melbourne defines a new blueprint for our city by unlocking land within existing urban areas, and a strong transport foundation upon which to attract investment and locate jobs, businesses, and services close to where people live.
“This is a comprehensive plan for Melbourne that caters for a projected population of 7.7 million people by 2051 and provides a solid foundation to meet these challenges,” Mr Guy said.
“For the first time there is a dedicated authority, the Metropolitan Planning Authority, to implement Plan Melbourne and together with local government we now have the roadmap needed to forge a productive way forward for our great city.”
Vital structural reforms to the Victorian planning system and a monitoring framework have been put in place to ensure Plan Melbourne can be delivered, while five new metropolitan subregions with representation from all metropolitan councils have begun work to coordinate infrastructure priorities across state and local government.
To implement the strategy, the Metropolitan Planning Authority will be given planning authority powers for metropolitan Melbourne, and will use these powers in precincts and locations identified in Plan Melbourne, including urban renewal precincts, national employment clusters, activity centres, and health and education precincts.
The Planning Authority will work closely with local councils as well as government departments, local residents and other interested parties.
Urban renewal of Fishermans Bend, E-Gate, Arden-Macaulay and along key rail corridors are a major part of the strategy.
National employment clusters in Monash, Latrobe, Sunshine, Dandenong South, East Werribee and Parkville, with concentrations of interconnected businesses and institutions, will make a major contribution to the national economy and Melbourne’s position as a global city.
Key activity and job centres will continue to be a focal point in areas such as Dandenong, Box Hill, Ringwood, Essendon Fields, Narre Warren, Broadmeadows, Epping and Footscray.
In addition, Plan Melbourne prioritises 25 health and education precincts in locations close to homes and transport connections to accommodate new highly skilled jobs and value adding industry.
Plan Melbourne is available at www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au and will be introduced shortly into all planning schemes across Victoria.
Source: News Release Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine, 19 May 2014