Whittlesea council will seek to publicly acquire two sections of land along Boundary Road in Wollert to pave the way for the development of an intersection.
During the July 22 council meeting, councillors voted to ask Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to apply a public acquisition overlay to parts of land at 70 and 80 Boundary Road, Wollert, to facilitate the construction of the Boundary and Andrew roads intersection.
Ms Kilkenny will be asked to fast-track the process.
The intersection is identified in the Wollert Precinct Structure Plan (PSP).
A report to the council meeting stated that council had sought to acquire the land through voluntary negotiations with the landowners, which were unsuccessful.
Council planning and development director Emma Appleton told the council meeting that the intersection would not be delivered if the land was not acquired.
Cr Jarrod Lappin said seeking a public acquisition overlay was the right way forward for council.
“This intersection has been part of the Wollert Precinct Structure Plan for quite some time,” he said.
“The time is right to get these works started.
“Those familiar with the area will know how busy and congested it can get around peak times and this intersection is an entry point into Mernda.
“These works are critical to the future growth of the area.”
Council will also write to Ms Kilkenny to highlight the barriers affecting the timely acquisition of land for public purposes in PSP areas, and the delays those barriers cause to the development of land for housing, employment and infrastructure required for growing communities.
Council will also request changes to the planning system to overcome the barriers.
Cr Lawrie Cox said the intersection was a clear example of the difficulties council has in its growth areas.
“We don’t have adequate infrastructure development planning occur in advance of the release of residential property,” he said,
“From a council, we are constable being blamed and held responsible for these failures.
“We want to see infrastructure in place prior to residents moving in, rather than the cat chasing the tail.”
