Tag: precinct plans

Discussing Federal Involvement within Central Activities Districts

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The Cities of Whitehorse and Frankston, like the City of Maroondah, each have an identified Central Activities District, namely Box Hill, Frankston and Ringwood respectively.

These locations, which are in close proximity to rail stations, have been identified as sites for urban revitalisation, including higher densities and mixed use development. The aim is to provide increased housing, employment and community opportunities within these localities and thus provide more facilities closer to people’s home.

While the policy direction is set by the State Government, local councils are often required to implement policies to support these aims, including structure plans and precinct plans that determine future vision for these centres. The role of the Federal Government in supporting our cities, is an area that is yet to be fully explored.

The Commonwealth Government established the Major Cities Unit to explore the role of our cities in a national context and this afternoon myself and the Mayors of Whitehorse and Frankston discussed the importance of the Central Activities Districts within this framework.

While the Major Cities Unit will be consulting local government, it is imperative that the Central Activities Districts are treated uniquely, given the additional need for infrastructure and investment within these centres.

It is encouraging that the Federal Government is exploring how it can help shape our cities to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. It is imperative that this work continues given that Australia is among the few countries in the world that lacks a federal perspective on the role and function of our cities.

State Government 2010-2011 Budget Breakfast

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The State Budget was delivered on Tuesday, and while several funding streams have been announced, including further funds for sporting and community facilities, there little new initiatives allocated specifically to projects within Maroondah.

The Budget Breakfast has hosted by James Merlino, the Member for Monbulk and the Minster for Sport, Recreation, Youth Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, with the Treasurer John Lenders providing an overview on the Budget.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the Budget was the lack of further funding towards the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The Treasurer spoke extensively about how the State Government is implementing its various plans and while this is certainly positive, it is disappointing that there is not a long-term plan involving the Central Activity Districts across Melbourne.

I asked the Treasurer a question requesting that the Government deliver a plan for Melbourne’s Central Activities District, which would provide confidence and investment certainty within these areas. While Councils, like Maroondah, can deliver Masterplans and Precinct Plans to envisage the desired character of the area, there is a need for State Government investment to provide much needed infrastructure for the designated Central Activity Districts.

The top priority for Ringwood is the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station, a project that thus far has not been identified in the State Government’s Transport Plan or its planning initiatives. While the State Government has committed #39 million to the redevelopment of the bus interchange and station forecourt this will not resolve the fundamental issue of accessibility and the lack of passenger amenities.

Maroondah Council and the community support the transformation into Ringwood as a Central Activity District, it is now time for the State Government to demonstrate its commitment towards this vision through funding the complete redevelopment of Ringwood Station so it becomes an accessible, integrated and safe transport interchange.

Media Release: Key planning documents on public exhibition

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The community has the chance to give feedback on two key planning documents that will contribute toward Ringwood’s evolution into the Central Activities District and regional centre for Melbourne’s outer east.

The Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan and the Ringwood North West Residential Precinct Plan provide the framework for achieving some of the goals set out in the Melbourne 2030 Update: Melbourne @ 5 million. This policy update responds to higher-than-anticipated population growth and requires a change to the structure of metropolitan Melbourne from its reliance on one major centre towards multiple major centres to reduce congestion and maintain Melbourne’s liveability.

Councillor Alex Makin said the precinct plans would ensure that all applicable future development would be undertaken in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan and Melbourne 2030 Update. Cr Makin said they would also provide a higher level of certainty for future outcomes to the local community and to developers.

“Both precincts were identified in the Ringwood Transit City Urban Design Masterplan as requiring additional planning work to stimulate appropriate development and to enable the provision of the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city,” Cr Makin said.

“Potential currently exists to upgrade the image and presentation of Maroondah Highway and allow for a new regime of frontage showroom buildings and landscape treatments that can project a sense of pride along the route. This potential is harnessed by the Ringwood Commercial Precinct Plan,” Cr Makin said.

The Commercial Precinct is one of several precincts within the Ringwood Central Activities District area and is bound by Heatherdale Road to the west, Bond Street to the north, Mt Dandenong Road to the east and the Belgrave/Lilydale rail line to the south.

“The Commercial Precinct is considered important because of its location and role as a gateway between Melbourne’s Central Business District and the Yarra Valley,” Cr Makin said.

The Ringwood North West Residential Precinct has been identified as an area to accommodate a substantial level of change in the coming years.

“It will be one of very few locations in the outer east to develop higher density housing,” Cr Makin said.

This precinct comprises all residential land encompassed by Bond Street, New Street, Ringwood Street, the Ringwood Bypass and Eastlink. It also takes in the western side of Ringwood Street, north of Bond Street.

Both precinct plans are on exhibition until Friday 7 August. The plans are available for public inspection during office hours at the following locations:

Council Service Centres:

  • Braeside Avenue Service Centre, Ringwood
  • Eastland Service Centre, Level 2 Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood
  • Civic Square Shopping Centre, Civic Square, Croydon

Libraries:

  • Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
  • Ringwood Library, Ringwood Plaza, Ringwood

Online:

Submissions can be made in writing until Friday 7 August and sent to:

Mr Phil Turner
Director City Development
Maroondah City Council
PO Box 156
Ringwood 3134

Submissions must be made in writing, stating the submitter’s name, address and daytime phone number, and including views on the precinct plan the submitter wishes to be put before Council. All submissions are public documents.

For more information phone Council on 1300 88 22 33.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce – discussing the Ringwood Transit City

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The Ringwood Chamber of Commerce represents businesses and traders located in Ringwood and the surrounding district providing a critical voice for the business community. This evening the topic of the Ringwood Transit City was discussed with a presentation outlining the precinct plans for the Ringwood Town Centre (the area bound by Maroondah Highway, Bond Street, Ringwood Street and Warrandyte Roads).

It is abhorrent that the State Government has failed the Maroondah community by not delivering funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. It is imperative that Ringwood Station is redeveloped into a safe, efficient and accessible transport interchange to connect the town centre and facilitate the revitalisation of Ringwood.

While the business community, Queensland Investment Corporation (the parent company of Eastland) and council has invested heavily within Ringwood, it is disappointing that the State Government has failed the community. Members of the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce were collectively aghast at the State Government’s neglect of Ringwood and agreed on the need for public transport improvements, better pedestrian connectivity and a campaign to ensure that funding is forthcoming for Ringwood Station.

Launch of Ringwood Going Places

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The Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, was in Ringwood today to launch the branding of Ringwood Going Places. The pieces to rejuvenate Ringwood are coming together such as the passing of the precinct plans for the redevelopment of the Town Centre.

One significant piece that remains unresolved is Ringwood Station. The redevelopment of the station is critical to ensuring the success of the Ringwood Transit City and yet a commitment from the State Government has not been forthcoming.

Successful urban revitalisation requires collaboration and partnership between State and Local Governments, it is time for the State Government to show it is truly committed to the Ringwood Transit City by committing funding to the station redevelopment in the upcoming State Budget.

Precinct Plans – Ringwood Town Centre

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The precinct plans for the Ringwood Town Centre were passed at this evening’s council meeting. The passing of these plans will establish a clear framework for the future development of the Ringwood Town Centre and as such will facilitate investment and employment growth within Ringwood.

The plans, which broadly cover the area bound by Ringwood Street, Warrandyte Road, Maroondah Highway and Plaza Centre Way (also known as the Bond Street extension), will attract a variety of land uses (including retail, civic commercial and residential) and will assist in creating a sense of community and pride for Ringwood.

In particular the plans will include a new Town Square for Ringwood and allow for easier pedestrian access between Ringwood Station and the retail precinct of Ringwood and improve the overall amenity and walkability of Ringwood.

Given the significance of the precinct plans, there was a widespread effort to encourage community involvement and submissions. I am encouraged by the fact that 14 submissions were received, all of which were generally supportive of the concepts identified within the precinct plans.

The relatively high volume of submissions demonstrates wider community involvement within the Ringwood Transit City project and the overall supportive tone highlights a shared vision for the future of Ringwood and the Ringwood Transit City project.

I encourage the community to continue its involvement in the Ringwood Transit City project; the success in creating a vibrant town centre will depend largely on ongoing community engagement.

Tonight’s council meeting also marked the last meeting for 2006. I look forward to further representing as we enter the new year and beyond.

Ringwood Precinct Plans on Display

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Tonight Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC – the owners of Eastland) and Maroondah City Council presented the precinct plans for the Ringwood Town Centre to the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce.

The precinct plans are intended to provide a strategic framework for the Ringwood town centre, which is the area north of Maroondah Highway and bound by Ringwood Street and Warrandyte Road. The precinct plans envisage the transformation of Ringwood into a pedestrian friendly and vibrant suburban centre lined with much needed hospitality and entertainment such as cafes and restaurants.

The revitalisation of Ringwood is long overdue and it was encouraging to see the members of the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce supportive of the concept. While most of the community appears eager for the revitalisation of Ringwood to begin it is unfortunate that the State Government is still dragging its feet by failing to provide a solid commitment to the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The station forms a centrepiece the new urban centre and it is imperative that the existing facility, which fails disability compliance legislation and is perceived to unsafe, is redeveloped into a modal interchange fitting of the new image for Ringwood.

To view the precinct plans please visit the Maroondah City Council Website. Submissions commenting on the plans need to be received by the 10th of November.