Tara Murray
A city deal developed for Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs is set to unlock employment and economic opportunities across the region over the next 20 years.
The North West Melbourne City Deal Plan 2020-2040, released by former premiers John Brumby and Steve Bracks and federal senator Scott Ryan, enables federal, state and local governments to work together to drive national priorities tailored to local needs, develop plans for growth and commit to shared actions.
It will serve as a blueprint for the region to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the immediate future, and in the medium-term, reform the region’s economy for the future.
It’s estimated 300,000 new jobs will be created by the plan which will look to leverage the region’s existing strengths in health, food production, manufacturing and logistics.
Eight locations have been identified as key precinct areas, including Broadmeadows, Cloverton-Beveridge, Epping and La Trobe.
Thirteen councils, including Hume, Whittlesea and Brimbank, along with LeadWest, the Northern Councils Alliance, La Trobe and Victoria universities, NORTH Link and the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance helped develop the shared priorities for the north and west Melbourne region.
Mr Brumby said around 80,000 jobs had been lost in the north and almost half the businesses in the west have lost 25 per cent revenue this year due to the pandemic.
Mr Bracks said the blueprint includes 66 proposed projects which will help the area to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 and create jobs to deliver economic prosperity to the area.
There are four areas of focus in the plan: future economy, health and wellbeing, transport and connectivity and liveability.
Fifteen major projects are listed, including some already underway, including the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal, Broadmeadows revitalisation, Epping Innovation and Food Export Hub, La Trobe University City of Future redevelopment, Airport Rail Link, a new hospital for the outer north, Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, Suburban Rail Loop and Western Intermodal Freight Precinct.
Other projects include Airport rail east, Broadmeadows Revitalisation Enablers, Hume Freeway diamond interchange, Kangan Institute campus redevelopment, La Trobe NEIC redevelopment, North West Health and Wellbeing Alliance, north arterial roads package, St Albans Health and Wellbeing Hub and Upfield rail project.
Whittlesea council panel of administrators chair Lydia Wilson said the plan was critical for the Whittlesea area.
“Building the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal is a transformative and inter-generational project that will unlock around 18,000 jobs. It will significantly improve efficiencies in freight movements currently going in and out of Victoria’s two largest ports – Melbourne and Geelong.
“The plan to build a Food Innovation Hub next to the Melbourne Wholesale Market at Epping will further leverage our existing strength in food production, manufacturing and logistics.
“We welcome this City Deal and hope that it provides some light for our community that there is an exciting plan ahead to kickstart our economic recovery, reboot business, and boost social and economic inclusion.”
Hume mayor Carly Moore, said that as a key precinct area, Broadmeadows would benefit from several projects that will boost employment, transport and connectivity, and amenity for residents.
“Hume City’s population is forecast to increase by 54.61 per cent by 2041. This plan will enable a strategic approach to planning for infrastructure, jobs, and provision of vital services,” she said.
“Our community is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 and investment for our city is critical to our recovery and our future.
“The revitalisation of the Broadmeadows Town Centre is a significant investment which council has been advocating for, for many years, and unlocking its development capacity will create 1,500 new jobs.”
“Collaboration is essential to achieve genuine transformation and we’re proud to be partnering with our neighbouring councils to develop this City Deal package.
“We look forward to working closely with the Victorian and Commonwealth governments to leverage investment in these important projects to ensure they come to fruition,” Cr Moore said.
