Residents Put Hands Up to Have Say on Melville’s Future

They participated in the first of five Neighbourhood Workshops that are being held for residents to learn about and have input into the City’s draft Local Planning Strategy – a long-term urban planning vision for the municipality – and to tell the City about what matters to them where they live and work.

The first workshop focused on the North East Neighbourhood of the City, covering Alfred Cove, Applecross, Ardross, Brentwood, Booragoon, Mt Pleasant and Myaree.

Mayor Russell Aubrey, who took part in the workshop with a number of Councillors, said the workshop was fully booked and very successful. “It was a fantastic turnout and shows that our local community in interested in the future of our City and wants to be involved,” he said.

“The first part of the workshop involved the City informing the community about the Local Planning Strategy while the second component was an interactive exercise where people were separated into groups to identify a favourite landmark and a place that needs improvement to start thinking about how they interact with the built environment. They were all very enthusiastic and made sure they got their views across. They were generally in acceptance of the need to increase housing densities in certain areas, including around transport hubs, and were happy with the City’s plans to provide 10 per cent public open space around the municipality. They also wanted the City to make better use of the foreshore.”

The draft Local Planning Strategy, which is open for public comment from 27 August to 31 October, looks at issues such as housing opportunities and densities, business/commercial growth, transport, community connectedness and environmental, heritage and cultural preservation and enhancement. It has been developed using the information gathered from the comprehensive and award-winning Melville Visions community consultation project. Once adopted, the strategy will lead to a review of the Town Planning Scheme where the measures will be put in place to achieve the aims of the strategy.

As part of the public consultation process, a community workshop is being held in each of the four neighbourhoods of the City as identified in the City’s long-term Community Plan, and a fifth workshop will be held at the Melville Civic Centre. The remaining scheduled dates and locations of the workshops are:

•     3 September – Willagee Community Centre (South West)
•     10 September – Point Walter Golf Club (North West)
•     17 September – City of Melville Civic Centre (Conference Room)
•     22 September – Melville Glades Golf Club (South East)

Each workshop will commence at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, finishing at 9.00pm. Light supper will be provided. To reserve your place at one of the workshops or for more information, phone 1300 MELVILLE (1300 635 845).

Mayor Aubrey encouraged residents to attend the remaining four meetings and show as much enthusiasm as those in the North East neighbourhood in having their say on Melville’s urban planning future.

The residents’ comments from all the workshops will be collated and assessed after the public consultation period closes. A report will then be presented to Council so the Local Planning Strategy can be finalised.

Residents can also view copies of the draft Local Planning Strategy at City of Melville libraries, community centres, the Melville Civic Centre and on the City’s website at www.melvillecity.com.au.