By NATALIE GALLENTI
BRIMBANK Council is calling on Albion residents to bring the small suburb back to its former glory.
At last week’s council meeting a report was tabled and carried to establish a community reference group and devise an Albion Neighbourhood Plan.
Brimbank administrator Meredith Sussex said in developing the report the council had demonstrated its commitment to improve the “great little neighbourhood”.
The role of the reference group will include consultation with key community members to develop the neighbourhood plan; provide an opportunity for discussion of different issues, perspectives and points of view; offer a forum for testing and discussing ideas and solutions and identify and raise any issues of concern for the council to consider.
The report identified traffic management, traffic calming and appropriate provision of parking as some of the most important issues within the area, along with connectivity in and around the suburb, particularly with the imminent closure of Kind Edward Avenue.
“It is an area under significant pressure,” Ms Sussex said.
Ms Sussex said certain pockets of Albion were home to some of the most disadvantaged and poorest members of the community.
Long-time Albion resident Jodie McLeod said a neighbourhood plan was “definitely necessary” and it is imperative residents are kept up-to-date with key issues facing the suburb.
The mother-of-two said people who chose to take up residence in the area wanted it to remain a good place to live but also had to accept that change was inevitable.
Ms McLeod said a reference group would ease the frustration of many residents who often felt unseen and unheard by the council.
