Arden community and business forums provide food for thought

The VPA was delighted to host two public engagement forums last week for the Arden Urban Renewal Precinct.

At a business breakfast on Wednesday, October 4, and a community forum on October 5, North Melbourne residents and workers provided the VPA with feedback on its key proposals for Arden.

Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, was also present at the community forum, where he outlined the vision for Arden and took questions from the floor.

This initial consultation revealed that creating creative open space, prioritising walking and cycling and designing the new precinct with the principles of sustainability are of the utmost importance to North Melbourne residents.

Attendees were also keen for the area to have a wide range of cultural and community facilities, such as schools, medical centres and cinemas.

Residents discussed the future height of buildings, noting that the greatest heights should be away from existing residential areas and closer to the freeway and new train station.

At the business forum participants reported that parking and traffic issues in the area were also a concern and must be addressed.

The business breakfast was attended by approximately 15 local business owners, and 50 North Melbourne residents attended the community forum.

Arden will be a mixed-use, 55-hectare precinct located between Macaulay Road, Dryburgh Street and the Upfield Rail Corridor, in North Melbourne. It will be a global knowledge hub that will eventually accommodate 34,000 jobs and 15,000 residents.

The VPA released its Draft Arden Vision & Framework on September 1 and will incorporate residents and business owners’ ideas for the area in the final framework plan.

The VPA will now collate all comments, surveys and submissions into an engagement report, to be publicly released in coming weeks.

The VPA would like to thank all attendees for taking the time to contribute to this important project, as well as Minister Wynne.

The first round of consultation for Arden is open until October 23. To have your say, or complete an online survey, click here