By Candice Boyle
NEGOTIATIONS to release almost 130 hectares of land for development in Maribyrnong could soon be finalised.
The handover of the former defence site to the State Government would clear the way for a large-scale housing development near the Maribyrnong River.
The Raleigh Rd site was identified as a key growth location in 2004 by the State Government’s development agency VicUrban. The redevelopment plan was due to be approved in June 2004, but the Maribyrnong City Council and residents are still waiting to hear when the land will be developed.
VicUrban’s communications manager Kirsten Howe said it was continuing to negotiate with the Federal Government about the defence site. “We believe the site offers a great opportunity to deliver a range of development and community outcomes,” she said.
The council supported the proposal principles in 2004, which included almost 2000 homes and properties, but not all residents have shown the same support.
The Maribyrnong Residents Association has expressed concern about possible over-population and loss of heritage of the site. Association secretary Alan Ross said the resident body would like to see the land, particularly the three kilometres of river frontage, converted into public open space.
“There is precious little green space left. We would much rather see more green wedge space extended into the area. It is a right of the community to be able to fish and walk along the river. We are totally against private river-frontage development,” he said.
The site is expected to appeal to a range of new and current residents of the municipality, with a range of landforms including hills, an escarpment, river flats and important river-edge vegetation.
Since the 1890s, the site has been used for a mix of purposes, including a stud horse farm and training site, a racecourse and, prior to World War I, an explosives factory and remount depot.
The land has remained as defence property and was used as a defence facility until 2000, when resources were gradually moved off the site, leaving what is expected to be an expensive environmental remediation bill.
The property is the last of three key defence industry sites within the inner West to be developed. The Lend Lease Edgewater and Waterford Green Estate projects saw the redevelopment of other significant former defence sites along the Maribyrnong River.
Despite the similar waterfront setting, developers are wary of drawing comparisons between the sites.
Lend Lease general manager Bryce Moore said the Raleigh Rd site had attracted the interest of many developers, but he could not put a price on what the land would be worth when developed.
The proposal presented by VicUrban could help to ease the affordable housing shortage in the municipality.
The report prepared by the developers said new housing should cater for needs that were under-provided-for in the region, with a particular focus on improved bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and access to public transport for new residents.
Mr Ross said that while there would be many expectations for the site, it was important the heritage was maintained.
An extensive heritage study prepared by consultants Godden Mackay Logan, which includes heritage and management policies, is expected to play a pivotal role in the handover and any development on the land.
