The state government’s new 40-year planning strategy fails to address how Melton will cope with ongoing population growth, according to Melton Labor MP Don Nardella.
Last week’s Plan Melbourne report included Melton in a western sub-region that also takes in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.
The plan estimates the population of this region will rise from 691,000 to more than 1.1 million by 2050. The only specific project listed for Melton was a Toolern metropolitan activity centre.
The plan states there will be support for new employment in Werribee and Sunshine.But Mr Nardella said it did not explain how employment opportunities and infrastructure would support Melton’s population growth.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below
“Employment issues out here are pretty critical,” he said. “There’s growth and employment in Caroline Springs and at the new Ravenhall prison, but as for getting people to live, work and play in Melton, there’s nothing to encourage that.
“When will they electrify the train line in Melton? Or build a base hospital?”
In its submission to the plan, Melton council said better infrastructure and services had not been delivered, despite the city’s population rising almost 35 per cent since 2006.
“The City of Melton has no tertiary health or education facilities and no employment clusters,’’ the submission said.
“The lack of higher-order health and education facilities and employment uses . . . is having a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of the community.”
According to the plan, about 1.2 million new jobs will needed in Melbourne by 2050. It also says the government will “facilitate the development of national employment clusters . . . to accommodate new highly skilled jobs and value-adding industry”.
