By NATALIE GALLENTI
DIGGERS Rest residents will have a chance to voice their concerns and opinions on the future of housing in the area at a council-run session this evening.
Residents can attend the information session and have their say on the Melton Housing Diversity Strategy, to help plan for the muncipality’s future housing needs.
The strategy will address key housing issues and establish initiatives to guide and direct the development of the area’s residential housing areas. Feedback from the sessions will help inform the draft strategy, which will be put on public exhibition later this year.
Diggers Rest resident David O’Connor said the community was in need of a major overhaul and said presently the suburb was simply “700 houses in a block” with the only amenities available not adequately servicing locals.
Mr O’Connor said the area did not boast a local attraction where people can meet and have a drink and get to know one another and he said the only way a vibrant community could evolve was if major changes took place.
He said the future of Diggers Rest remained bright with the opportunity to develop housing options that were now well serviced by the metro rail system.
Mr O’Connor said a new planned employment precinct should provide for local employment opportunities, improving the household-to-jobs ratio within the Melton City.
He said the diverse range of housing could include some studio-style dwellings, offering residents small office or home office living alternatives.
Council will host three community visioning sessions at Diggers Rest, Melton and Caroline Springs in September for residents to learn more about the project and put forward their ideas on housing for the city.
