By Laura Michell
A multi-staged housing development hailed as “the start of the 21st century in Broadmeadows” has been approved for the former Yakka site by Hume council.
The plan for 60 townhouses, 168 apartments, shops, offices and food and drink premises on the site in King William Street was given the green light by councillors last week.
It follows the approval of 51 townhouses on the site in August 2018.
Councillor Jack Medcraft said the development was important for Broadmeadows.
“This is the start of the 21st century in Broadmeadows. We are setting a standard now that over the next many years, people will say I want to go and live in Broadmeadows because it has all the modern facilities,” he said.
Cr Karen Sherry said the redevelopment would be a catalyst for the redevelopment of that part of Broadmeadows and would change the demographic of the area.
She said the developer was planning a mix of housing on the site, providing options for newcomers to the area or young people who grew up in Broadmeadows and wanted to stay in the area.
Plans to redevelop the Yakka site have drawn the ire of many residents, who fear it will add unacceptable levels of traffic to surrounding streets such as Camp Road.
Broadmeadows Progress Association secretary John Rutherford has previously labelled the development plan a “disgrace”, saying the precinct around the site is already exposed to parking difficulties, lack of public open space and environmental issues.
Cr Geoff Porter said while the development would invigorate Broadmeadows, the council needed to be mindful of the traffic it would create.
“I think we need to have [the traffic] on our radar … we need to be lobbying other levels of government to support us to build a new road network to improve access,” he said.
