Northland Structure Plan

The Vision for Northland Activity Centre explores how the centre can physically change over 5, 10 or even 20 years time to meet changing community needs in housing, services, employment and leisure.

What the Structure Plan will achieve

Key proposed projects

Vision Scenarios Paper

Full details of the Northland Vision, including key development sites and precincts, and the thinking behind these ideas, are documented in the Northland Structure Plan Vision Scenarios Paper, which can be downloaded below.

Background and Issues Report

The process of creating future aspirations and vision scenarios for Northland Activity Centre was initiated by the findings of an extensive background research phase to understand the centre’s existing role and function, and to develop a comprehensive picture of the centre’s existing and potential future strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats.

This work is documented in the Northland Structure Plan: Background Issues Report,completed in April 2010, which can be downloaded below:

Draft Structure Plan Preparation

The project has reached its penultimate phase, with a draft Structure Plan currently in preparation. This stage of the project follows the community consultation on the Northland Structure Plan Vision Scenarios Paper in March-June 2011.

Council wishes to thank all who participated in discussion about this important project and those who made submissions.

The draft Northland Structure Plan will pay specific attention to the following issues raised in the consultation:

- TW Blake Reserve redevelopment
- Desired future economic role of Northland
- Future housing types
- Infrastructure requirements
- Preferred Murray Road design
- Bus Interchange options
- Darebin Creek improvements
- How to deliver the vision

The draft Structure Plan is close to completion and will be presented to Council for endorsement soon.

The draft Structure Plan is expected to go on public exhibition in early 2012 and there will be a program of community consultation. Submissions on the draft plan will be invited.

Council will consider the results of the consultation before adopting a final Structure Plan by mid 2011.

Darebin Creek Northland Ecological Improvement Study

The environmental quality of the Darebin Creek at Northland Activity Centre has emerged as a vital issue to be addressed in the development of a Northland Structure Plan. Developing strategies to improve the condition of the creek environment and enhancing its value as a recreational asset for the local community are amongst the key priorities for the Structure Plan.

Darebin Council received funding from the Department of Planning and Community Development Expert Assistance Panel Program and Melbourne Water Living Rivers Program to undertake a study of the Darebin Creek at the Northland Activity Centre. The study was done in collaboration with Banyule City Council.

The Darebin Creek Ecological Improvement Study was undertaken by AECOM ecologists, environmental planners and town planners to assess the ecological condition of the Darebin Creek precinct at Northland Activity Centre and, with anticipated future changes to the surrounding area proposed by the Structure vision scenarios in mind, develop strategies to improve it through appropriate land management, strormwater management and planning policy.

The findings and recommendations of the study will inform and assist the preparation of the Northland Structure Plan.

The final report is available for download below. Feedback on the study findings and recommendations is welcome at any time.

Gilda Di Vincenzo
Strategic Planning Unit
Ph: 8470 8399
Email: gilda.divincenzo@darebin.vic.gov.au

Postal Address: PO Box 91, Preston, VIC 3072

Council wishes to acknowledge the funding of the project under the Creating Better Places program of the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Past consultation material produced during the course of the project is available for download below: