From left: City of Greater Dandenong retail development coordinator Leanne McCready with mayor Youhorn Chea and planning and design manager Jody Bosman in central Springvale to promote the pending release of its structure plan.THE blueprints of Noble Park and Springvale’s development future will be revealed to the public early next year.
City of Greater Dandenong Council is applying the final touches to Structure Plans for Noble Park and Springvale, and this week said residents could expect to see them early next year.
The structure plans outline general parameters for land usage in the activity centres of both suburbs.
They also outline the type and location of new infrastructure for Noble Park and Springvale, including transport and pedestrian networks.
Mayor Youhorn Chea said the plans marked another step along the road towards making Greater Dandenong an even better place to live and work.
Noble Park
The council has invested over four years’ work into the Noble Park Structure Plan.
Cr Chea said a $3 million redevelopment of the old service station site near the corner of Heatherton Road and Douglas Street was indicative of the type of growth this plan would work to encourage.
This site will be transformed into 17 shops and a restaurant.
Cr Chea said the area surrounding Noble Park Railway Station, between Buckley and Leonard streets, was likely to become a town square under the plan.
“This gives a central community space to the activity centre and is an important element in drawing together the Buckley Street and Ian Street shops into a single precinct,” he said.
Springvale
Springvale’s Structure Plan focuses on the implementation of more, and better designed, urban and green open spaces, Cr Chea said.
“These are seen as an extension of the lively social activity within the street network, and are designed to encourage and accommodate public events, further adding to the centre’s vibrancy,” he said.
“The height and extent of modern buildings which respect and strengthen the area’s recognised theme will also be guided by the structure plan, with its requirements of high architectural standards and their integration with public places and spaces.”
The council is now advocating for an underground rail line at the Springvale Road level crossing, and for a while has been discussing options to redevelop Springvale Library.
Another major project is an eight-hectare site on the corner of Westall Road and the Princes Highway, owned by Harvey Norman.
“The site earmarked for development by Harvey Norman Holdings covers the construction of restricted retail stores, a bowling alley, gymnasium, and food and drink premises on a floor area of about 37,000 square metres,” Cr Chea said.
“Council is now considering a further application to increase the total amount of restricted retail floor area to 69,240 square metres.
“This expanded development would include the construction of a building for furniture retailer Ikea.”
If approved, the Harvey Norman Holdings development is expected to generate up to 870 new jobs, with a projected turnover of close to $220 million by 2010.
