VPA setting aside land for the jobs of the future

The Victorian Government is setting aside land for the jobs of the future.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne has approved a Precinct Structure Plan for a 488-hectare precinct known as the Craigieburn North Employment Area.

The precinct is bounded by Donnybrook Road to the north, Merri Creek and the Sydney-Melbourne railway line to the east, and the proposed Amaroo Business Park to the south.

Government projections estimate that this area will ultimately be the base for 7930 jobs, providing a wealth of employment opportunities to residents living in Melbourne’s booming northern corridor.

This includes people living in the emerging community of Kalkallo and the planned future community of Donnybrook.

The majority of this land will be zoned industrial, which can be used for high-tech industries, factories, warehouses and manufacturing sites. Additional land will allow for some restricted retail uses, as well as office space.

Developers will be charged a total levy of over $58 million to pay for vital community infrastructure such as roads, bridges and green space to service the new workforce.

Situated alongside the main freight route between Melbourne and Sydney, the Hume Freeway, the precinct is well placed to support industry.

Furthermore, as part of the PSP, Brookville Drive/Amaroo Road and Summerhill Road will be upgraded to arterial road standards, and a new east-west bridge across Merri Creek will be constructed, linking the Hume Freeway to Donnybrook Road and further north.

This will enable workers to travel with ease to their workplaces, and allow for the smooth transfer of goods across central Melbourne.

As well as providing a key hub for industry, the employment precinct will have excellent cycle and walking paths alongside the picturesque Merri Creek, which will be protected and enhanced through the new precinct.

The area is located approximately one kilometre from Donnybrook Railway Station, which is currently serviced by the V/Line and is planned to become part of the metro rail network in the future.

It is envisioned this area will be developed gradually, over the next 20 years.

This PSP has been approved by Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne.