Government seeks public feedback for high rise Ringwood plan

It’s already a major transport and retail hub, but the heart of this suburb in Melbourne’s east — whether you like it or not — is set to get a lot taller.

Government seeks public feedback for high rise Ringwood plan

A major retail and apartment-dense suburb in Melbourne’s east has been earmarked for further high-rise development with 60,000 new home to be built with the government after feedback from locals.

The Ringwood activity centre — one of 10 such locations in metropolitan Melbourne — includes Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood Square Shopping Centre, Realm, Ringwood Lake Park.

The proposed area for more high-density housing is between the Ringwood bypass and the Ringwood train station.

“As part of our landmark housing statement we’re enabling more homes to be built across established suburbs,” a Victorian government spokesman said.

“It will ensure more Victorians have access to affordable housing close to services, jobs and transport.”

The proposal will include updating building height and design rules to allow for more high- rise buildings in the Ringwood Activity Centre.

Ringwood residents are divided on the proposal for more high rises.

Local resident Lachlan Melbourne said there needed to be more housing in the suburb

“I love Ringwood how it is with all the green space but as a young person housing is far too expensive and something needs to be done,” he said.

“If there were a better way I would be opposed, but sadly there isn’t.”

But Jemi Ma said Ringwood was already busy

“This makes me a little nervous about how the area will change as we raise our family here,” she said.

“Our residential road is already becoming more busy.

“It is getting harder to leave home and get anywhere.”

Other activity centres primed for housing development around the state will include Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Keilor Road in Niddrie, North Essendon and High Street in Preston.

Residents can give feedback on the proposal on the Engage Victoria website.