Implementation plans > Growth areas > Actions > Action 1

Action 1
Develop new or revised Growth Area Plans for each growth area

Preparatory project consultation
Lead agent: DOI
To ensure an agreed understanding of Melbourne 2030’s policies and implementation measures, DOI will consult with growth area councils before finalising this draft Implementation Plan to ensure it is workable, reflects current priorities, and whether there are any unforeseen issues that need further consideration.

It is recognised that implementation of the directions outlined in Melbourne 2030 will place a substantial workload on growth area councils through the preparation of new Growth Area Plans, or the revision of existing plans, for each designated growth area.

DOI will assist councils to cope with this workload.

Scope growth area projects
Lead agents: DOI and local government in partnership
Scoping of the Growth Area Plan review projects will comprise discussions between DOI and growth area councils to reach agreement on the scope, objectives, key tasks, key stakeholders, related projects, timing and the resources required to undertake the review.

This work will take into account metropolitan policy, the individual character of each growth area, and the substantial amount of strategic work already in place or being undertaken by councils.

Some specific issues, policies and principles pertinent to the future development of each growth area have been identified as part of a preliminary investigation undertaken by DOI. These are included in Appendix 2, and reflect current and future constraints and opportunities, physical characteristics and infrastructure challenges. Together with councils’ past planning, this work is intended as a starting point for the Growth Area Plans and will form the basis of further discussions during the scoping phase.

Development of new or revised plans
Lead agent: Committee for Smart Growth
The growth area review will encompass the preparation of a new growth area plan for Hume, and the review of the existing Werribee, Plenty Valley and South-Eastern (Cranbourne–Pakenham) Growth Area Plans to determine:

• the form and density of development
• development phasing and sequencing and the preparation of a preferred sequence of development
• identification of major infrastructure needs
• the adequacy of current Development Contributions Plans and the preparation of new Development Contributions Plans where appropriate
• the timing and provision of public transport services, including the preparation of an integrated transport plan (see Appendix 1)
• identification of the amount of land in the growth area, including its location, the extent and direction of expansion, and the position of the UGB
• the role of surrounding rural areas and settlements
• planning for a network of activity centres, and identifying and planning for Principal and Major Activity Centres.

The growth area review will focus on greenfield areas, but will include the established urban areas that form an integral part of the growth areas.

It will provide future opportunities for more intensive subdivision of residentially zoned land, and will identify long-term, higher-density residential development opportunities, with a focus on gradually increasing the number of dwellings per hectare, as Melbourne 2030 is implemented, from 10 to around 15.

Guiding principles, policies and implementation measures
The principles for growth area planning link the most relevant directions from Melbourne 2030 to strategies and implementation mechanisms for each growth area.

In planning for new settlements, Melbourne 2030 emphasises the need to take advantage of existing settlement patterns and investments in infrastructure, including physical services, transport and social facilities. New development should respond to the landscape, valued built form and the cultural context.

New areas will be planned as integrated sustainable communities, based around high-quality, frequent and safe local and regional public transport, and a range of local activities.

Neighbourhood Principles (see Appendix 3) apply to the development of new areas as well as to major redevelopment in existing areas. In growth areas this will mean that new development will generally occur on the basis of:

• public transport focus
• preferred sequence of development
• connected and walkable streets
• emphasis on safety in design
• provision of a mix of housing types and land uses
• neighbourhood centres as a focus for local services
• design that enhances existing natural and heritage features and increased environmental sustainability.

The growth areas will need to accommodate forecast changes in household structure and housing preference, which will mean greater emphasis on different housing forms and different subdivision types (see Appendix 1).

Given the need for a longer-term perspective on implementing Melbourne 2030 objectives, and given existing levels of subdivision commitment and approval for proposed developments in the growth areas, it is not anticipated that there will be a significant change to land already identified for development. For this reason, significant changes to development patterns in the growth areas may not be quickly achieved.

Implementation mechanisms
DOI will provide support for the review and preparation of the Growth Area Plans.

Implementation of the principles and policies described above will occur through the mechanisms outlined in Appendix 1.

Investigate a possible new growth area between Melton township and Caroline Springs
Lead agent: Committee for Smart Growth
The area between Melton township and Caroline Springs will be examined to assess the long-term need for and feasibility of developing the Caroline Springs Growth Area along the road and rail corridor

This investigation will be undertaken following the review of the Werribee and Hume Growth Areas. The investigation of this growth area will be overseen by the Committee for Smart Growth, and will require a high level of detailed work.