Plan Melbourne - What’s it all about? Everyone is talking about Plan Melbourne. Telling you what’s in and what’s out. The controversial inclusions and even more controversial exclusions. Here at David Lock Associates, we couldn’t help think – ‘who needs another summary?’ So we decided to ponder what it might actually mean to the spatial structure of Melbourne.
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Plan Melbourne: In Summary The plan is prepared by the DTPLI. Who are the old DPCD and DoT. It will be overseen by the MPA. Who have subsumed the GAA. NECs are the new CAAs. Which were CADs to most of us. Although some CAAs are now MACs. Some PACs are now MACs. However, these differ from the old MACs. Most PACs and MACs are now just ACs. NACs are now just NCs. We also have HIPs and URs. But some URs are only PURs.
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A key element of the draft Strategy is to diversify employment concentrations, reducing the reliance on the central city and bringing jobs closer to where people live. A new spatial structure for Melbourne includes National Employment Clusters (NECs). These are: “designated geographic concentrations of interconnected businesses and institutions that make a major contribution to the national economy and Melbourne’s position as a global city.” Six locations have been identified that can, or have the potential to, provide high job concentrations in suburban locations. Three places are existing; Parkville, Monash and Dandenong South. And three are emerging, including LaTrobe, Sunshine and East Werribee, principally due to their locational and accessibility attributes. Employment-led growth should be focused around the learning and health sectors with sustainability at their core. Although the draft Strategy emphasises that each NEC is different, we think they should all demonstrate a number of key elements, including:
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Sustainable transport infrastructure including new train stations connected to a local tram and/or rapid bus transit routes.
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Mixed-use, high density development focused around public transport interchanges including offices, shops, cafes, live/work spaces and apartments.
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Education and learning hub including a university campus, TAFE, and schools mixed with high density housing including student accommodation, shops, bars and cafes. Development will be mixed around a compact and fine-grain street network.
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A medical hub concentrated around a hospital with medical research facilities and other commercial health.
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Local neighbourhood activity centres built around tram/bus rapid transit stops including shops, cafes, low-cost incubator space and apartments.
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Local primary schools as part of multi-purpose community spaces including parks and sporting facilities.
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Linear open space networks that incorporate WSUD, land for urban food production and walking and cycling trails and connect the NEC to the surrounding metropolitan area.
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Medium density family housing within easy walking distance of local neighbourhood activity centres and transit stops.
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Light industrial park including panelbeaters, mechanics and other service industry uses.
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Sustainable logistics park incorporating best practice green building design with access to the metropolitan transport network.
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