Sunbury to get new town centres, train stations in long-term vision
UPDATE: About 20,000 new houses and four new town centres will be built in Melbourne’s north to cater for long-term growth.
North West
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FOUR new town centres and 20,000 homes are planned around Sunbury as part of the State Government’s long-term vision for the region.
The Victorian Planning Authority has released the Sunbury South and Lancefield Road Precinct Structure Plans, detailing its vision for the growth of Sunbury over the next 30-50 years.
And the first sods of soil could be turned as early as 2018 following public consultation, development and final approval of the two plans.
The VPA has given the four town centres working titles of Yellow Gum, Emu Creek, Redstone Hill and Harpers Creek.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PLANS
Redstone Hill is envisaged to be a “major” town centre with the other three defined as “local” town centres.
The town centres will feature a mix of residential housing, light industrial, commercial and business infrastructure, along with nearby parklands and services.
The Lancefield Road plan applies to about 1095ha of land bound by Racecourse Road and the Jacksons Creek to the west, Gellies Road to the south, Emu Creek to the east, and a future conservation reserve to the north.
Plans for Sunbury South cover about 1798ha of land, bounded by Watsons Road and the Jacksons Creek to the south, Gellies Road and the Emu Creek to the north and north-east, the transmission line easement to the east and Vineyard Road to the west.
Two employment hubs in Sunbury South are also planned along Vineyard Road and Sunbury Road.
Although not directly part of the just-released documents, the VPA has told Leader that it is already completing “background work” on plans for the former Victoria University site at Jacksons Hill and will soon start community consultation.
The VPA developed the two plans over the past three years in consultation with Hume Council, government agencies, service authorities and major stakeholders.
VPA chief executive officer Peter Seamer said the plans were designed to bring an urban feel to the region as well as maintain Sunbury’s existing character.
Sunbury state MP Josh Bull said that “while it will take another 30 years for Sunbury to develop, we need long-term plans in place which have input from the community.”
“These plans will guide new infrastructure, better services and a wealth of additional community facilities which are close to home for Sunbury residents.”
State Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the government was putting “people first”.
“Sunbury has been earmarked for growth since the 1970s, and we’re making sure the right infrastructure and services are ready,” he said.
Hume Deputy Mayor and Jacksons Creek councillor Ann Potter said the council had not been formally presented with the details but its planning team would provide an in-depth analysis when possible.
“The way growth occurs is important – it needs to occur in a balanced way and a way that brings infrastructure along with it,” she said.
Cr Potter urged the community to get involved with the VPA’s community consultation.
The VPA said up to $800 million in construction levies would be available to implement the plans.
BULLA BYPASS
Altough not officially part of the plans, the Bulla Bypass is a crucial plank to the region’s infrastructure, according to Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull.
“Sunbury Rd through Bulla township represents a traffic bottleneck, which left unresolved would affect the ability of Sunbury to grow,” he said.
“That’s why the early delivery of a Bulla Bypass is critical to achieving the growth vision
outlined in the PSPs.
“The Minister for Roads has instructed VicRoads to undertake a review of alignment options for the Bulla Bypass (and the associated Airport Link), to determine an option that can bring forward the delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
The VPA has organised two community consultation sessions for the Sunbury South and Lancefield Road Precinct Structure Plans in December.
They will be held from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, December 5 and Thursday, December 8, at the Sunbury Bowling Club, 49 Riddell Rd, Sunbury.
Public consultation will close in February with the final draft of the plans expected to be released at the end of 2017.
CLICK HERE on how to make a submission to the Lancefield Road PSP.
CLICK HERE on how to make a submission to the Sunbury South PSP.
IN A NUTSHELL
AT least 6000 new jobs
ABOUT 20,000 new homes
TWO new train stations north and south of Sunbury on the existing train line
THE extension of Elizabeth Drive to complete a ring road around Sunbury
TWO new road crossings and bridges across Jacksons Creek, and another bridge across Harpers Creek
SEVEN new primary schools and three new secondary schools
A NETWORK of recreational trails along Jackson and Emu Creek
NEW community, shopping and entertainment facilities
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