Long-awaited Mernda town centre shifts north under revised plans

THE long-planned Mernda town centre will be moved further north under revised plans ticked off by the council that also allow for six-storey buildings.

An image of Mernda Town Centre plan from the council website.

THE long-planned Mernda town centre will be moved further north to be closer to the Mernda train station under revised plans ticked off by the council.

Whittlesea Council has adopted an amendment to the Town Centre Development Plan, which includes an increase of potential development of up to six storeys in the town centre “core”.

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The amendment also repositions the main street to run east-west from the railway line, and allows for more medium-density residential properties.

A proposed hardware store has been removed from the plans but includes a supermarket and retail development in the northeast corner of the site.

The town centre will be located south of Bridge Inn Rd between the station and Plenty Rd.

Permits for up to 27,500 sqm of retail floor space are available across four blocks.

The new town centre has been proposed since 2009, with original plans approved in 2012.

Mayor Ricky Kirkham said the decision meant the developer could move towards delivering the long-awaited project.

“It’s been a long time coming but we are looking forward to seeing the town centre come to life,” Cr Kirkham said.

The delays have been a source of frustration for residents and some members of government.

Yan Yean state Labor MP Daniel Green labelled the amendment as just another delay after years of inaction.

“I sincerely hope the City of Whittlesea can step up to the plate and facilitate the development of the Mernda town centre and the local jobs that come with it,” Ms Green said.

“The council needs to now get on with it.”

She said Mernda had received more than $1 billion in government funding, including for Plenty and Yan Yean road upgrades, more buses, the rail extension, four new schools and early learning centres, an ambulance station and police station.