From Thursday, 4 June Moonee Valley City Council will be calling for community feedback on the
Draft Essendon Junction Structure Plan.
Moonee Valley Mayor, Cr Narelle Sharpe said the aim of the draft structure plan is to provide a clear direction for the long-term future of the Essendon Junction Activity Centre.
"Essendon Junction is a neighbourhood activity centre which has also been designated as an urban renewal area in the St ate Government’s Plan Melbourne, recognising its significance and relevance within the metropolitan area," Cr Sharpe said.
"The draft structure plan provides a 20-year vision to guide future changes to land use, how people access and move around the area, the design of buildings, open spaces and improvements to infrastructure, while protecting heritage and preserving valued characteristics," Cr Sharpe said.
"Through the structure plan we have the opportunity to revitalise Essendon Junction by improving transport and local infrastructure, creating local employment and integrating a mix of new community, commercial and residential developments, all of which will cater for a growing and diverse population," Cr Sharpe said.
The draft structure plan suggests initiatives to address issues identified during consultation so far including:

Advocating for the rail-under-road grade separation of Buckley Street and Mt Alexander
Road with the Craigieburn railway line.

Applying planning scheme controls to land within the centre to guide future building design.

Encouraging investment in the centre and support local businesses.

Providing more public open space within the centre and improve the public realm.

Establishing a development contributions scheme for the centre to fund and deliver new community infrastructure.
Cr Sharpe said the considerable traffic congestion and delays caused by the Buckley Street level crossing is a significant issue raised by the community through the structure planning process.
"The draft structure plan aligns with Council's preferred option to move the rail line under the road where Buckley Street crosses the Craigieburn Rail Line and highlights the potential opportunities that arise from doing this such as improving pedestrian safety and streamlining traffic conditions.
"Council will continue to work closely with the State Government to advocate for our preferred railunder-road option," Cr Sharpe said.

Portfolio holder for Land Use Planning, Cr Nicole Marshall, said the local community continues to play an important role in developing the structure plan.
"The community working group for this project, as well as the feedback we’ve received from residents and businesses, have been an invaluable part of the three-year process to develop the draft structure plan.
"As the people who know and understand Essendon Junction the best, I encourage everyone who works, visits and lives in and around the centre to be part of the discussion about how it will evolve over the next 20 years," Cr Marshall said.
The community can find out more and provide feedback in the following ways:
Information session
Come along to see a presentation of the draft structure plan and ask questions.
Date: Thursday, 25 June 2015 from 6pm to 8pm
Venue: Ukrainian House, 3-11 Russell Street, Essendon
Drop-in sessions
Meet one on one with officers to discuss the draft plan and provide feedback. Come at any time during the sessions.
Dates: Thursday, 2 July 2015 from 1pm to 6.30pm or Saturday, 4 July 2015 from 10am to 2pm
Venue: Ukrainian House, 3-11 Russell Street, Essendon
The community can also have their say by commenting on our interactive map or by filling out a feedback form. Find out more at mvcc.vic.gov.au/essendonjunction.
The consultation period runs until Friday, 17 July 2015.
Feedback received will inform the completion of the structure plan, which is likely to go to a Council
Meeting for formal adoption towards the end of 2015.
Some of the structure plan initiatives will then be formally introduced into the Moonee Valley
Planning Scheme by undertaking a State Government process called a Planning Scheme
Amendment. This process, likely to take place in 2016, will involve a third round of consultation with the community.