By BRIDGET COOK
A BLUEPRINT aimed at shaping Melbourne’s future growth for the next 40 year was release last week, with a number of inclusions to directly benefit Casey residents.
Premier Denis Napthine and Minister for Planning Matthew Guy launched Plan Melbourne, the long-term planning and transport strategy for Melbourne’s growth to the year 2050, on Wednesday.
One of the main features of the strategy was to investigate the location of a third airport, possibly between Kooweerup and Lang Lang, to service the south-east and Gippsland region.
In addition to an airport, Narre Warren/Fountain Gate was named as one of nine Metropolitan Activity Centres.
The centres will play a major service delivery role, including government health, justice and education services, providing a diverse range of jobs, activities and housing for a subregional catchment.
The Berwick Monash University and Casey Hospital area was also named in the strategy as one of four nominated Health and Education Precincts.
Dandenong South was identified as a national employment cluster and a number of provisions were mentioned in the strategy for future road and rail links to the Port of Hastings.
Earlier in the year, the City of Casey made a detailed submission to the Discussion Paper and Ministerial Advisory Committee, advocating on behalf of residents for Casey’s future liveability.
City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon said the council has met with the Minister for Planning and she was delighted that the council’s feedback had been accommodated in the blueprint.
“I am pleased that many of council’s ideas for Casey and the south east region now feature in the Plan Melbourne strategy,” she said.
Cr Stapledon said the council was thrilled that the strategy featured a proposal for an airport in the south-east region.
“The City of Casey has long been advocating for the establishment of an airport in the south-east to provide a significant economic stimulus to the Casey Cardinia region,” she said.
“Not only will the airport be convenient for Casey residents, it will generate significant jobs and ease the congestion on the road network exiting Casey.
Part of strategy involved establishing a permanent Urban Growth Boundary, something Cr Stapledon welcomed.
“Council has welcomed the news that the State Government will introduce an urban growth boundary around Melbourne to contain growth and protect our valuable agricultural land,” she said.
“I look forward to working with the State Government to further develop the detail around the strategy inclusions and wish to thank them for listening to council.
Residents can have their say on Plan Melbourne by visiting www.planmelbourne.vic.gov.au by 6 December.
