Three graphics of the proposed Cranbourne town centre. The draft structure plan is now on display and Casey Council is seeking community feedback.CASEY Council is welcoming public input into the future development of the Cranbourne town centre.
Council officers have drafted a detailed vision for High Street and surrounding areas and are seeking community feedback on the plan.
City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler says the draft structure plan acknowledges the precinct as a significant centre in metropolitan Melbourne and addresses largescale growth and development challenges as its residential catchment increases rapidly.
“Cranbourne’s population is set to triple over the next 30 years,” he said.
“Developing a robust structure plan for the town centre is critical to ensure that appropriate facilities and services are provided to the expanding population.”
The plan sets out a number of major initiatives:
•Improve the pedestrian amenity of High Street. The plan reconfirms that it is critical that the State Government commits funds for the construction of the Cranbourne Bypass. The bypass will allow for major streetscape works to proceed through the heart of the centre to completely change the character of the street.
•Extensive Business Growth. Very significant growth of shops, services as well as office employment and entertainment/tourism developments are flagged in the plan.
•A new northsouth street called The Avenue. The new street will become a focus for new retail development to act as a magnet for new growth.
•Underground powerlines in High Street. The plan proposes a major project to remove overhead powerlines from High Street and Sladen Street to beautify the centre.
•Major streetscape works across the centre over time. Extensive landscape beautification works are proposed to be carried out throughout the centre, such as a floral clock that council recently committed $40,000 to construct at the front of the Old Shire Offices.
Some of the major current projects in and around the centre are:
•Development at Casey Fields;
•Planning for the Cranbourne Aquatic Centre;
•Development of the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex, including the Performing Arts Rehearsal Centre, Multicultural Centre and the traffic school;
•A range of large and small commercial proposals within the centre itself;
•Duplication of Sladen Street by VicRoads;
•Development of the Australian Gardens at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne; and
•Construction of the Cranbourne Police Station.
Community consultation sessions will be held on Thursday, 24 November and Monday, 28 November from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Cranbourne Community Theatre, Cranbourne Secondary College, Stawell Street, Cranbourne.
Submissions can be made in writing to Manager Strategic Development, City of Casey, PO Box 1000, Narre Warren 3804, by Monday, 30 January 2006.
For more information or to reserve a place at the community consultation sessions contact the council’s strategic development (city strategy) unit on 9705 5200 or visit Casey’s website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/strategicdevelopment
