Planning for the future
Planning eNewsletter | December 2014
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the Moonee Valley Planning e-Newsletter. We invite you to explore and find out
about planning and development matters affecting our city.
This edition includes details of the latest update to population forecasts for Moonee Valley,
as well as some of the current projects Council is undertaking to ensure our facilities meet
community needs well into the future.
Our new Strategic Planning Advisory Committee met for the first time in November. This
group has been formed to help Council gain a more in-depth insight into the views, ideas
and concerns of the community and to enhance our existing strategic planning projects.
I would like to wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and holiday season. There will be an
e-newsletter break in January and we will return with more planning news in February 2015.
Cr Narelle Sharpe
Moonee Valley Mayor
POPULATION GROWTH
The State Government’s latest population forecasts indicate Greater Melbourne’s current
population of around 4.3 million will grow by close to 1.5 million by 2031. Projections
prepared by ID consulting for Moonee Valley suggest the current number of residents, will
grow close to 28,000 from 116,000 to 144,000. While all suburbs will experience some
growth, Moonee Ponds is forecast to grow at the fastest rate, with 30 per cent of all growth in
Moonee Valley to 2031 expected to occur in the suburb.
The municipality is likely to become more attractive to young families, with a forecast
increase of more than 2,700 residents aged between 35 and 39 years and around 2,600
children age between 0 and 4 years. In determining population forecasts key attributes
considered include dwelling additions, age structure, birth rates, death rates and migration.
A key focus for Council is to plan for this growth by encouraging housing in the most
appropriate locations, and providing community facilities, services and infrastructure for our
growing population.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
Australand Development - 77-89 Military Road
Places Victoria, in partnership with Australand Property Group, has developed plans for the
vacant site at 77-89 Military Road, Avondale Heights. Council has now received a planning
permit application for this site.
Key features of the proposal include provision for 135 dwellings, a maximum building height
of two storeys and 3,000 square metres of centrally located public open space. Formal
community engagement under the statutory planning process will commence once all
information requirements has been satisfied. This will include the opportunity to provide
submissions and third party appeal rights will apply.
1 Ascot Vale Road, Flemington
An application was recently lodged directly with the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal (VCAT) seeking changes to the approved planning permit for a development at 1
Ascot Vale Road, Flemington. The three-day VCAT hearing to consider the request has
been scheduled for 28 January 2015.
Council is a participant in the process and is independently assessing the application at the
moment. Council will form its view on the proposed changes at its meeting on Tuesday, 16
December and will subsequently advise VCAT and all relevant parties of its position on the
matter. Council held an information drop in session on 24 November to empower residents
who wanted to put forward a formal submission to VCAT.
Essendon Airport - Hotel Development
On 4 December, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development approved
Essendon Airport’s Major Development Plan for a proposed hotel. This follows the Airport’s
public consultation on a draft version of the plan earlier this year. The development is
expected to commence in 2015.
More major developments....
To read the latest information on other major developments affecting our city visit our
website.
HERITAGE
Heritage Gap Study adopted
At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday, 25 November the Moonee Valley Heritage Gap
Study was adopted.
The study will guide the order of future heritage studies.
What is heritage?
Heritage is more than just old things or architecture. It can encompass many things such as
a building or a home, parks, gardens or trees, and roads or bridges. Moonee Valley’s rich
heritage tells the story of our continually changing and evolving city.
To find out more about Moonee Valley’s heritage and why Council plays a role in protecting
it, visit our website and watch our short heritage videos.
About the Old Bill on the Hill
Flemington retains a remarkable array of Victorian architecture, including our impressive
post office and civic buildings, workers’ cottages and parts of the saleyards. The Flemington
Court House & Police Station and Lock-Up are two of Moonee Valley’s most significant
public buildings amongst others, and are protected on the state heritage register. They were
designed by Public Works Department architect, AJ McDonald in the early 1890s and still
function as public buildings today. Discover Flemington’s rich history and download a free
walking tour published by the Flemington Association.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Strathmore Children’s Centre
Council is starting the next phase of the Strathmore Children’s Centre project, which involves
a proposed new kindergarten at 1-5 Term Street, Strathmore. As this site is covered by a
restrictive covenant, Council is undertaking a planning scheme amendment to vary the
restrictive covenant, combined with a planning permit application to allow for the centre. This
process will include a five week community consultation period, which will begin in early
February next year. At that time, residents will have the opportunity to make submissions on
both the amendment and the permit application.
East Keilor Leisure Centre Feasibility Study
Moonee Valley’s aquatic centres were built for a single purpose in the 1950s and 1960s.
Given these centres are ageing, in particular the swimming pools, it is now time to plan to
ensure these centres can meet changing community needs well into the future!
In line with the Aquatic Leisure Centre Plan, adopted by Council on 25 November, Council is
first looking at the future of East Keilor Leisure Centre. A Community Reference Group has
been formed to work with Council.
GET INVOLVED
Closing Soon - Help shape the future of Airport West
There are only a few more days left to nominate to be on the community reference group for
the review of the Airport West Activity Centre Structure Plan.
The review of the Structure Plan will guide any changes to future land use, how people
access and move around the area and the design of buildings and spaces. It will assist the
Metropolitan Planning Authority with a wider framework plan project for Airport West and
Essendon Fields to support its transition into an exciting new aviation and employment
precinct.
Nominations close on Monday, 15 December 2014. Visit our website or contact the
Strategic Planning unit on 9243 8888 for more information.
WHAT'S ON
My Smart Garden workshops
When: 24 January 2015 and 21 March 2015
Where: Moonee Valley area
Passionate about gardening? This sustainable urban gardening program provides free
workshops all year round.
Leisure and Lifestyle group exhibition
When: 12 December - 25 January 2015
Where: Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds
This exhibition celebrates the local sporting culture of Moonee Valley through a blurring of
lines between art, culture and recreational pursuits. It is accompanied by a children’s
workshop and a ‘Leisure Walk’, where local sporting clubs around the gallery will present
video and audio works from the show.
More on what’s on…..
To see a full list of Council run or supported events visit our website.
Christmas opening hours
The planning department wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday
season. The Civic Centre will be closed on the following days:
•
from 1pm on Wednesday 24 December
•
Thursday, 25 December
•
Friday, 26 December
•
Thursday, 1 January
The Civic Centre’s normal opening hours are 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday.