By LAURA WAKELY
THE PRESSURE will be on Brimbank and Melton councils to deliver as more than 30,000 residents move into new suburbs in the West.
Expressions of interest will open in the coming months for Rockbank North and Diggers Rest, two of the new suburbs released by the State Government last week, which also included suburbs in the north, south-east and Wyndham.
Rockbank North is set to increase traffic on Taylors Rd, which will act as a “gateway” to the new suburb, with 20,000 new residents and 7000 houses across its 711 hectares.
The Mirvac development will reserve 30 per cent of the total site for open space and conservation, with the developer contributing bridges, roads, land and buildings for a community hub, library, aquatic centre and indoor sports centre.
Diggers Rest will be created along the Calder Freeway, building on the existing Diggers Rest township with 3800 homes for 10,700 new residents.
The Investa development will give the former country town its first supermarket and developer contributions will pay for land purchases for community hubs, sporting fields and a recreation centre.
Melton Shire Council General Manager of Planning and Development Luke Shannon said the council had worked closely with the Growth Areas Authority to develop plans for the suburbs, and was prepared for added pressure on infrastructure and services.
“We’re happy with the outcome, but we obviously need the continued support from a State and Federal (Government) level from the infrastructure and services to service the new community,” Mr Shannon said.
He said council would step up lobbying for a public hospital in Melton, growth in employment and improvements to public transport.
Brimbank Council’s General Manager of City Development Stephen Sully said there was continued pressure for residential development, which the council had planned for with their Home and Housed strategy.
Mr Sully said the growth in Melton and Wyndham would be an opportunity for Brimbank to build on town centres, but he said there needed to be improvements in transport infrastructure and continued investment in community services and facilities.
