By Ewen McRae
The future of the Rockbank town centre is clearer, after Melton council adopted a framework for future construction in the fast-growing suburb.
The council approved the Rockbank Major Town Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF) at its recent meeting, providing a guide for all future planning applications in the centre.
The framework is designed to ensure that future retail, community facilities and entertainment in the area are high quality, appropriate and consistent, and are located within a set 20 hectare area of commercial land.
Planning permit applications will need to align with the framework and other relevant planning policies to be approved by the council.
Melton mayor Bob Turner said the UDF would provide certainty for new and old residents of Rockbank, which is among the fastest growing suburbs in Australia.
“As one of Australia’s fastest growing populations, Rockbank needs proper planning to ensure the town centre is easy to use and filled with a mix of uses that will serve the community for years to come – and that’s exactly what this framework aims to achieve,” Cr Turner said.
“Right now, 1500 residents populate Rockbank but in the future, that will grow to a population of 22,800. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver a framework that will support the area to grow in a really positive way as it experiences such a significant change.
“This sort of strategic future planning will cement Rockbank’s liveability and ensure it continues to be a place that people want to live, work, and socialise.”
Community consultation on the UDF led to several additions, including the option of additional multi-level carparking, more retail activation space at Main Street and Station Street, an additional signalised intersection on Leakes Road (south of the proposed four-way intersection), and a refined urban plaza to facilitate its early delivery.
