Whittlesea council is set to consult the community on proposed suburb boundary changes affecting Epping, Lalor and Thomastown.
At its August 19 meeting, council endorsed plans to realign the Epping-Lalor boundary to include two industrial properties at 481 and 485 Cooper Street within Epping, and to shift the Lalor-Thomastown boundary to incorporate two reserves on Barry Road into Thomastown.
Council said the changes would resolve long-standing access and naming issues created by the construction of the Hume Freeway, which has severed the properties and reserves from Lalor.
“The proposed realignment will improve clarity for emergency services, reduce confusion for couriers and service providers, and better reflect the way these sites function day-to-day,” a council report stated.
The Cooper Street properties form part of the Epping employment precinct, one of Victoria’s most significant industrial and commercial hubs, according to council.
Council said keeping a Lalor address for developments in the area risked undermining investment and confusing transport and logistics access.
Cr Daniela Zinni commented on the importance of the area and the allocation of “orphaned” lots.
“It is an important part of our area and municipality to have these particular blocks of land allocated to the suburb of Epping,” she said.
The Barry Road reserves are part of the Merri Creek Reserve and Melbourne Water land, which are already addressed to Thomastown.
Community consultation on the proposed realignments will take place in accordance with Geographic Names Victoria’s requirements.
