Appropriate funding and infrastructure must be delivered if the state government’s 40-year growth strategy is to be successful, according to Melton council.
Councillors last week agreed to make a submission to Planning Minister Matthew Guy, saying the council supported many of Plan Melbourne’s directions and initiatives but had concerns over how they will be implemented.
Released last month, the plan will form a planning and transport blueprint, shaping how Melburnians work and live for the next 40 years.
Council planning manager Bob Baggio told councillors that many of the proposed outcomes of the strategy would remain simply ‘‘concepts’’ without appropriate budgets and infrastructure.
A council report lists the establishment of Toolern as a metropolitan activity centre and development of an interstate freight terminal and ‘state-significant industrial precinct’ in the Ravenhall area as key projects.
“The combination of the metropolitan activity centre designation and recognition that [the municipality] is an important employment area, will provide us with a strong basis for advocacy to state and federal governments for the required infrastructure,” the report says.
The report says improved transport to provide access to the activity centre and employment precinct are also crucial.
“In addition, there are no plans in the document [Plan Melbourne] which identify future rail stations and other key pieces of transport infrastructure that are key components of various other state government documents.
“This sends out confusing messages and creates uncertainty.”
Plan Melbourne includes Melton in a western sub-region that also takes in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.
Last month, Melton Labor MP Don Nardella said the strategy did not explain how employment opportunities and infrastructure would support population growth.
Submissions to Plan Melbourne close on December 6.
