Four public schools, five sports reserves and a six-lane arterial road will be built in the west’s newest suburb.
The state government last week approved the 752-hectare Rockbank Precinct Structure Plan, which is expected to include about 8000 houses for more than 22,000 people.
The new suburb, which is yet to be named, will be bound by the Western Freeway to the north, Paynes Road to the west, Greigs Road to the south and the future Outer Metropolitan Ring Road corridor to the east.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said more than $220 million would be raised in development levies for infrastructure, including a new six-lane arterial road connecting the Western Freeway to Greigs Road.
A town centre and public plaza will be built around the existing train station, which will undergo major expansion in the form of extended platforms and a sealed carpark at the southern end.
“This is good planning in action,” Mr Wynne said.
“We are supporting a new community by making sure there is infrastructure in place as the suburb develops.”
Land has been set aside for three public primary schools, a non-public primary school, and a public secondary school.
Four sports reserves, all with pavilions, will be built, and a regional sports reserve for use by other western suburbs residents.
Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz said more and more people wanted to call the west home.
“They deserve the opportunity to buy affordable land and build their homes,” Ms Kairouz said. “Approvals like this keep the dream of a new home within the reach of many Victorian families.”
Melton design, strategy and environment acting manager Kelly Archibald said once the suburb was gazetted and incorporated into the planning scheme, subdivision applications could be lodged and assessed.
“Development timeframes within the precinct will largely be determined by the market and developers.”
Melton council and the Victorian Planning Authority, formerly known as the Metropolitan Authority, have been planning for the suburb since 2013.
A panel heard submissions from residents in April.
A 2014, MPA newsletter identified the Rockbank PSP as a “historic agricultural settlement situated amongst basalt plains” to be converted into a “dynamic suburb that enhances its natural systems and preserves local heritage”.
