By Bridie Byrne
WYNDHAM activists have labelled strict new planning guidelines in growth corridors as long overdue.
The State Government last week announced building plans to tackle future growth, potentially spelling an end to the quarter-acre block in favour of high density housing.
Future housing developments will now have to include an average of 15 houses per hectare.
The new guidelines cover all land earmarked for development within Melbourne’s urban fringe.
The State Government’s proposed Urban Growth Boundary will bring about 41,000ha of land into the metropolitan area, with more than half to be developed.
It will accommodate 284,000 more dwellings in growth areas, with Werribee the planned site for most of the homes.
Western Region Environmental Centre director Harry van Moorst said the new layout plans should have been on the agenda years ago to prevent urban sprawl encroaching on green wedges.
“If the government did this on a serious basis there would not be the amount of expansion they are currently proposing,” he said.
“This should apply to all new major developments and now they should review the amount of expansion that is required.”
Mr van Moorst said the lack of transport infrastructure was the bane of long-suffering residents.
“The more spaced out we are, the bigger the problem becomes,” he said.
“This will help solve some of the transport issues.”
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the new guidelines would be a cornerstone for growing areas.
The Growth Areas Authority CEO Peter Seamer said there would also be new requirements for developers.
Developers would be forced to outline the number and type of jobs forecast as well as allowing new residents to know the distances they will have to travel to work.
“The guidelines also bring native vegetation and cultural heritage into the mainstream planning process to ensure the protection of bush land and indigenous cultural heritage,” Mr Seamer.
But Master Builders Association deputy executive director Radley de Silva said housing size was a matter for the individual and not government.
“The government should not discourage the aspirations of Victorians to build their dream home,” he said.
Wyndham Mayor Shane Bourke said the council was working with both levels of government and expected significant investment to provide adequate infrastructure to accommodate the population boom.
