The Victorian Government has released the first 10 pilot activity centres and announced the locations of the next 25 ‘Train and Tram Zone’ Activity Centres to deliver more than 300,000 additional homes close to jobs, services and transport by 2051.
Senior Lecturer Katherine Sundermann, from Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA), said the focus on housing shouldn't overlook that people living in the new Activity Centres need access to open space, jobs, and services for a healthy and productive life.
Available for comment:
Katherine Sundermann, Senior Lecturer, Monash Art, Design and Architecture
Contact: +61 404 228 300 or katherine.sundermann@monash.edu
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Liveable neighbourhoods
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Open space and walkable streets
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Affordable housing and community infrastructure
Comments attributable to Senior Lecturer Katherine Sundermann:
“In general, the aims of the Activity Centres Program are sound in supporting more people to live close to public transport, jobs, shops and social networks.
“For the first 10 pilot activity centre locations, it is great to see the boundaries of the upzoned area shrink to better relate with walkable distances from the heart of these activity centres.
“Given that there are 60 of these centres planned across Melbourne, it is important that we get the process right.
“The current process requires more planning to respond to the specifics of each place, and ensure that we also consider the factors that make these places liveable through new parks, upgrades to streets, new libraries and schools, affordable housing, and places to work and shop.
“In being so focused on housing, we can't forget that people will be living there who need access to open space, jobs, and services for a healthy and productive life.
“The process also needs to evolve to give more agency to local councils and residents. In NSW, councils have been given time and money to create these plans themselves, and residents can give feedback on three options for transformation, like in Ku-ring-gai.”
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