26 March 2013 - Nillumbik Shire Council

OCM.029/13 Submission to Metropolitan Planning Strategy 2012 Discussion PaperAttachment 1to middle and outer suburbs. This is consistent with Recommendation 4.26 of theInquiry: ‘that the Victorian Government’s Metropolitan Melbourne Plan includes a focuson public transport infrastructure provision as a central tenet of Melbourne’s planningpolicy’. Council agrees that buses can be the backbone of public transport routes butCouncil still strongly advocates for the extension to the Whittlesea train line. It alsowants to see more park and ride facilities to take advantage of the Whittlesea andHurstbridge rail lines and greater support for rural bus services.Council is wholly supportive of ‘building new connections across physical barriers suchas creeks, rivers and railways to improve local connectivity’. A prime example of aproposed new connection with a myriad of benefits is the proposed MaroondahAqueduct Trail. The alignment commences in Greensborough and finishes overlookingYarra Glen. The proposed Trail contains a range of recreation opportunities includinglinkage to other regional and local trails within both urban and rural settings. This trail isalso important as it provides an ideal opportunity for both recreation and commuter useand provides a viable, safe and direct link between Diamond Creek and the city via thePrincipal Bicycle Network. There is currently no safe on-road alternative and no securedfunding for the whole 33km stretch. Council notes that Recommendation 6.8 of theInquiry suggests ‘that the Department of Planning and Community Development…workto increase the available cycling infrastructure in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, thoughimproved connections between linear parks and existing cycling paths’.Principle 9: Leadership & PartnershipIdeas and aspirations for changeIdea 14 – Developing partnerships and agreementsIdea 15 – Developing good governance structures and processes to deliver the strategyIdea 16 – Setting targets, measuring progress and publishing indicatorsThe Strategy puts forward the idea of a new process to facilitate innovative projects thatare not contemplated by current planning controls but are consistent with the Strategy.Council would argue that Ministerial intervention is an existing process for this situationand any plans to broaden these powers is of great concern to Council.Council would like to see better coordination of State Government agencies. As anexample, Council is taking the lead to unlock the land use potential around Elthamrailway station. Large parcels of land are managed or owned by various stategovernment agencies, in particular, Public Transport Victoria. Council plans are beinghindered as various government agencies refuse or are reluctant to consider thepossibilities and the potential to create a vastly improved, functional area.43