By LAURA WAKELY
AFTER six years Brimbank City Council has settled on a vision to guide future planning in Keilor.
Council adopted the Keilor Village Vision Document at last week’s planning meeting, after residents requested a neighbourhood character overlay in 2006.
Consultation for the document began in 2008 and concluded in January this year.
The process included a survey, listening post and a design and vision forum, with more than 100 residents taking part.
The document states the “picturesque” setting of Keilor was unique, in that it has become an urban environment while maintaining a semi-rural character for the past 150 years.
The document outlines a vision including an increase in community facilities, a limit of large signage, more public art, the creation of a roundabout at Flora St, an increase in cycling facilities and a pedestrian crossing linking each side of the Old Calder Highway.
It also states new developments should include large landscapes and council should investigate ways of connecting the shops along the Old Calder Hwy to Arabin Plaza.
In the next two years the document recommends creating a marketing strategy for Keilor Village, replacing the street furnishings in a contemporary style and replace significant trees, among other initiatives.
Over the next five years the recommendations include creating more public spaces, improving the presentation of the laneway behind Old Calder Hwy and investigate the creation of a supermarket in Keilor Village.
After five years it’s recommended the document is reviewed.
Chair of Brimbank Administrators Peter Lewinsky said the Keilor Village Vision Document would provide guidance to council for any development in Keilor for the next 20 years.
“The clear message we kept on hearing throughout the consultation process was that one of the community’s key aspirations was to maintain the village character of the area and to create an attractive and sustainable community,” Mr Lewinsky said.
He said council would implement the short-term, medium-term and long-term recommendations of the vision document subject to budgetary processes.
