INDUSTRIAL LAND USE STRATEGY - City of Darebin

4.1.1 Core Industrial AreasThe Core Industrial Area designationdelineates the long term industrial oremployment precincts within Darebin.Three Core Industrial (and Employment)Areas have been identified in the City ofDarebin at:1. Reservoir2. East Preston3. Fairfield/AlphingtonThese areas are Darebin's majoremployment areas providing both skilledand unskilled job opportunities, generatingexport revenue and providing services tothe local population and to the widercommunity both in Victoria and interstate.In Core Industrial Areas industrial usesand associated compatible land uses wouldbe encouraged as the primary activitieswith Council ensuring any new usessupport the function and role of theseareas.Industrial uses will be required to maintaina high level of design and amenity andshould particularly address any adjacentmore sensitive land uses. Where theinterface is with a more sensitive use,particularly residential use, care must betaken to ensure the minimisation of off-siteimpacts.4.1.2 Secondary Industrial/Employment NodesFour Secondary Industrial/EmploymentNodes have been identified. These nodesare:1. Normanby Avenue2. Northcote West (Arthurton Rd)3. Northcote Central (Arthurton Rd)4. High Street (North Preston –Regent)These areas are smaller than the CoreIndustrial Areas and tend to reflectDarebin’s industrial past of clusteringindustry on the creek and close to the railline. Whilst the first two of these areas areisolated creek-side developments abuttingestablished residential areas and are notideally located by modern standards, theyare never-the-less successful centres ofindustry and provide a valuable source ofemployment opportunities for the city.Council recognises the historicaldevelopment of some of its industrialstock, particularly in the southern portionof the municipality, and seeks to minimiseconflict between industry and adjoining,often sensitive, land uses. Applications forindustrial development must be cognisantof and sensitive to surrounding land uses.Particular attention to the amenity of thesurrounding residents must be consideredwhen Council is considering anyapplication for industrial development inthese areas. Similarly, Council shouldconsider the impact that intensification ofresidential uses on adjacent residentialsites would have on the ongoing operationof the industrial area.4.1.3 Single Users SitesAmongst the suburbs of Darebin are a fewisolated, generally single user, industrialsites. These tend to be older industriesestablished a number of years ago butzoned “Industrial” to reflect their use.They tend to be large sites and oftenemploy a significant number of workers.These industries are an importantcomponent of Darebin’s economy andshould be protected to ensure they remainviable.Most have substantial investment ininfrastructure on-site and supply a marketbeyond the City of Darebin, generallyservicing Victoria, Australia and, in someinstances, overseas. This means anyrelocation of plant can be an expensiveoption. If relocation was required,Darebin would generally have to competeagainst greenfield sites in industrial estatesCity of Darebin Industrial Land Use Strategy 9