New jobs and housing planned for south-east

Ample jobs, leafy green streets and high-quality housing are key features of a new suburb planned for Melbourne’s south-east.

The draft Minta Farm Precinct Structure Plan represents an overarching vision for the development of a vibrant new residential and employment precinct adjoining Berwick and Clyde North.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) has released the draft plan for public exhibition, alongside a list of infrastructure items and a subdivision application for the first stage of t residential development within the precinct.

The draft plan applies to approximately 285 hectares of land generally bounded by the Princes Freeway and the future O’Shea Road alignment to the north, Cardinia Creek to the east, Grices Road to the south, and Soldiers Road to the west.

The draft plan is a blueprint for a new residential area and employment hub allowing 2,850 homes (8,000 people) and 11,000 local jobs. The employment hub and town centre will support a mix of commercial, office and technology businesses, providing opportunities for diverse range of employment close to home.

The plan also reserves land for:

• a local convenience centre for shopping and services
• a future P-6 government primary school
• a sporting field
• a district park and network of open space connecting to the Cardinia Waterway
• a conservation area providing green space and protecting key areas of significant biodiversity.

Developers of the precinct will contribute approximately $62 million towards essential local infrastructure, such as the first section of the north-south arterial road, local parks, a sports reserve and a community facility.

In addition, developers will pay $25 million towards the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution, to help fund vital state infrastructure in the area.

The subdivision application being exhibited alongside the draft plan is for a proposal for 231 lots in an area directly abutting Soldiers Road in the south-west section of the precinct.

The VPA will be holding two drop-in information sessions about the draft plan and people have until 4 December 2017 to make a submission. Officers from Casey City Council will also attend.

Information sessions will be held at the Gwendoline Family and Children’s Centre in Berwick on:

• 1 November 2017, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• 14 November 2017, 4:30pm – 7:00pm.