Gerald Lynch
Hume, Whittlesea, and Mitchell Shire councils have co-signed an historic partnership committing to the planning and delivery of a new city, Cloverton, that will service the growing northern corridor.
The agreement was reached at a special joint council meeting on Tuesday October 3
Cloverton will be the primary employment and service hub for emerging suburbs of the north including Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, and Wallan after being designated as a Metropolitan Activity Centre by the state government.
Cloverton will house 30,000 residents and provide 50,000 jobs when completed. The city will include shopping, health services, education and recreational facilities.
The new city straddles all three council boundaries.
All three mayors agreed that the large scale of the Cloverton area and its strategic location in Melbourne’s rapidly developing northern growth corridor called for a joint effort to deliver the services and community infrastructure required.
Hume Mayor Joseph Haweil said the first-of-its-kind regional partnership is critical in order to meet the challenges ahead and ensure the new city is delivered effectively.
“We know what’s needed to better the lives of our northern communities is a coordination of effort, imagination and resources,“ he said.
“Through our important local alignment, we are sharing the vision of helping communities stay connected by having access to essential services close to home.
“Cloverton city will ensure the large population in Cloverton and surrounds remain connected and serviced through a centralised hub close to home, something that can only be achieved through careful coordination of our resources and collaboration across our three council areas as well as the state government.”
Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson agreed on the importance of collaboration with neighbouring councils, saying it is the best outcome for present and future residents of the north.
“We are thrilled to be a key partner in the creation of a new city of such regional significance right here in the north,” she said.
“As a designated Metropolitan Activity Centre, it is vital that we also work closely with the Victorian Government to ensure the establishment of Cloverton is underpinned by high quality planning and development.
“By working together, we can create exciting new communities where people and families can grow and thrive. We want to create neighbourhoods that cater for the social, economic and infrastructure needs of our diverse community now and into the future.”
Planning for Cloverton is now underway with further consultation to come.
