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Implementation plans
> Activity centres > Actions
> Action 4
Action 4
Lead by example
The Government will lead by example in its involvement in planning
for activity centres and in ensuring that activity centres deliver
the results sought by Melbourne 2030. It will do so in a
number of ways.
Demonstrate the benefits of transit-oriented
development
Lead agent: DOI
Melbourne 2030 aims to promote transit-oriented development.
The Transit Cities program, which designs and develops urban precincts
around key transport nodes to improve the interaction between land
use and transport, will support Melbourne 2030 by more
efficient use of urban infrastructure. At selected locations it
will promote higher density development, integrating public and
private-sector investment and building partnerships within government,
with the private sector and the community.
The Transit Cities program aims to:
- improve public transport usage and the integration of transport
services
- provide opportunities for increased private investment and business
innovation
- improve the overall quality of places and encourage sustainable
city development
- develop high-density housing at strategic locations near transit
centres
- build communities that offer fair access for all to services
and employment opportunities.
The Government will implement demonstration projects at the metropolitan
Transit Cities of Dandenong, Frankston, Ringwood, Footscray and
Sydenham and examine new opportunities to undertake Transit City-style
projects starting at Box Hill, Epping, Broadmeadows and Werribee.
These centres have been selected for their accessibility and transit
orientation, capacity for growth and change, and commitment and
capacity to deliver the objectives of Melbourne 2030. They
also offer willing public and private-sector partners, and the opportunity
to address imbalances in access to jobs, goods and services.
Two million dollars has been committed over four years for master
planning of selected Transit City locations. The plans will evaluate
existing conditions and identify opportunities for growth and change.
Techniques applied to facilitate development at Transit City locations
may include site assembly and site preparation, public works, the
closure of redundant roads, master planning, and identification
of an appropriate mix of uses and development, including a range
of housing.
In response to indications from major land developers, the Government
will take a lead role in initiating strategic change. It will:
- take a proactive role in land assembly – with small and
fragmented land ownership around rail stations, land assembly
is crucial, while current leasing arrangements can impede development
- set up bodies to coordinate or facilitate development
in nominated Transit Cities, such as the Dandenong Development
Board, which will undertake planning
and feasibility studies
- appoint bodies like the URLC to act as a master developer on
its behalf; this role is further enhanced by recent legislation
that extends the URLC’s functions to become more active in
urban renewal.
To obtain maximum benefits from the Transit Cities program, it
is essential to integrate public and private sector investment.
Potential opportunities for business development will be identified
during the master
planning stage.
Dandenong Transit Cities project
In partnership with City of Greater Dandenong and working
closely with the community and local business, DOI is undertaking
a detailed master plan as the first step in the Transit Cities
project for Dandenong.
The plan will evaluate the area’s strengths and weaknesses
and provide a clear vision and detailed framework for action
to improve Dandenong. It will also explore options for creating
stronger links between the Dandenong activity centre and the
railway station, making the area safer through links with
the Department of Justice’s Crime and Violence Protection
Strategy and capitalising on transport initiatives such as
the Scoresby Integrated Transport Corridor and the Regional
Fast Rail service.
A place-based approach will enable government and stakeholders
to work together to integrate planning and investment decisions.
Through the Transit Cities program, Dandenong will become
an integrated sustainable city for residents, businesses and
visitors and will demonstrate how other activity centres can
benefit from comprehensive planning and decision-making.
Key achievements to date include:
- the start of a comprehensive master planning process for
Dandenong activity centre and surrounds
- the establishment and staffing of the Dandenong Development
Board to coordinate, market and facilitate development in
the Dandenong region, and its funding from government of
$1 million over four years
- a commitment by the URLC, starting in 2003, to develop
the 26.5 hectare saleyards site to create up
to 1,400 new mixed density homes – most will be no
more than 800 metres from the railway station, giving residents
easy access to a wide range of public transport options
- the establishment of Dandenong as a ‘fast rail stop’
- the relocation of Freight Australia to a more suitable
location in Dandenong to establish an intermodal freight
hub – a move that has enabled the saleyards site to
be integrated into the activity centre development.
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Photo 1. Dandenong railway station
- click for more detail
Photo 2. Outline of redevelopment area - click
for more detail
Work with the Urban and Regional Land
Corporation
Lead agent: URLC
The URLC now plays a broader and more active role in urban development
and regeneration. Recent legislative changes enable it to buy, consolidate,
transfer or otherwise acquire land in metropolitan and regional
areas for development. In addition, it can carry out land assembly
and facilitate development, including entering into partnerships
and agreements.
Given this change and its skills and experience, the URLC is well
positioned to assist the Government and private developers in site
assembly, master planning and preliminary infrastructure development
in Principal and Major Activity Centres.
Locate government facilities in activity
centres
Lead agent: State and local government
Government facilities in areas such as health, education, justice,
community and administrative services add vitality to activity centres,
provide a ready market and can ultimately define an activity centre’s
role. Because they often generate high numbers of trips, their location
in activity centres can encourage co-location and transit benefits.
State government departments and agencies will lead by example
on the location of new government facilities for consistency with
Melbourne 2030. Such new facilities should be located in
and around activity centres within the service catchment of the
facility, and in a type of centre appropriate to the intensity of
service, measured by trip generation and to the primary function
of the facility (such as research and development or user services).
Local government is an important provider of local community services.
Councils should review their policies on the location of community
and administration facilities.
When undertaking strategic planning for new activity centres or
expanding or improving the mix of uses in existing centres, local
councils and developers should consider options for the location
or relocation of community facilities. DOI will work with government
departments to help achieve this.
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