Expanding Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary For Sustainable Growth
Homebuyers are set to be the big winners with an additional 24,500 hectares of land to become available for housing after plans to extend Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary were introduced into Parliament.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the planning scheme amendment introduced today defined the city’s new boundary and set out the alignments for major transport initiatives such the Outer Metropolitan / E6 Transport corridor project and the Regional Rail Link.
Mr Madden said the amendment would protect 15,000 hectares of native grasslands in Melbourne’s west and a further 6,000 hectares would be zoned for rural conservation purposes.
“Extending the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a key part of the Brumby Labor Government’s long term plan to manage growth and protect our enviable lifestyle,” Mr Madden said.
“Melbourne @ 5 million is a detailed strategy to build an additional 600,000 new dwellings over the next 20 years – 284,000 of these will be in new communities like those created within an expanded UGB.
“Making 24,500 hectares available for housing double’s Melbourne’s land supply which will keep housing affordable and ensure that growth happens in a managed and sustainable way.
“While redefining the city’s boundary, this amendment will protect Melbourne’s vibrant and distinctive look and feel and maintain our reputation as one of the best cities in the world.”
Mr Madden also announced today that the Brumby Labor Government would allocate $10 million to prepare Precinct Structure Plans in Melbourne’s new growth areas.
“These masterplans provide the foundation for our newest communities, laying out parks, shopping centres, schools, housing, employment precincts, roads and connections to public transport,” he said.
“These plans ensure that as housing is built, there is appropriate planning and resources to deliver vital infrastructure that new communities need to preserve our renowned quality of life.”
Mr Madden said the recent passage of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) legislation ensured a dedicated funding stream for public transport and other community infrastructure in growth areas.
“We have always said that it would be irresponsible to open up new land for development without first securing the revenue to pay for the necessary infrastructure over the life of the development,” Mr Madden said.
“GAIC means we have a dedicated $2.4 billion funding stream of which $1.2 billion will be directed towards public transport services and a further $1.2 billion will be set aside for community infrastructure such as child care facilities, sporting grounds and libraries.
“The introduction of the GAIC, the extension of the UGB show and the $10 million for Precinct Structure Plans show that the Brumby Government is determined to manage growth by planning new neighbourhoods with the services families need.”
Mr Madden said the planning scheme amendment moved the Urban Growth Boundary in Casey, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Hume, Melton and Mitchell Shire Councils.
“The amendment includes the new boundaries for two large native grassland reserves west of Melbourne, which will help us to protect the nationally listed Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain for future generations,” he said.
“The 2010 State Budget provided $20 million over four years to purchase and protect Victoria’s most endangered native grasslands.
“Less than five per cent of Victoria’s original grasslands still remain and the Brumby Labor government is taking action to preserve these remaining grasslands.”
Topics: 2010, affordable house, Australia, Building New Communities Fund, community, developmers, economic development, economic growth, Economy, GAIC, Governance, government, grants, growth areas, Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution, Growth Areas Public transport Fund, infrastructure, investment, Justin Madden, landowners, Melbourne, moniter, monitor, news, opposition, Outer Metropolitan / E6 Transport corridor, Parliament, property, public transport, real estate, Regional Rail Link, resolution, revenue, sustainable growth, Urban Growth Boundary, Victoria, Victorian Transport Plan
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