Hume City Council, the City of Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire council have co-signed a historic Regional Partnership at a joint Council Meeting today as a commitment to collaboration for the planning and delivery of the new proposed city that will service the growing northern corridor.
Cloverton will service a wide regional catchment covering three Local Government Areas (Hume, Mitchell and Whittlesea) and will be the primary employment and service centre for the growing suburbs of Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Beveridge and Wallan - estimated at 380,000 residents and 50,000 jobs when it is complete.
The designation of the city as a Metropolitan Activity Centre comes from the Victorian State Government, similar to that put in place for areas such as Dandenong, Ringwood, Broadmeadows, Epping, and Box Hill.
The Council partnership has been created to work together to ensure Cloverton, which straddles all three Council boundaries, will be effectively developed as a new city for the north of Melbourne. Cloverton will comprise not only shopping but also health services and education as well as recreational opportunities.
The scale of the Cloverton area and its strategic location in Melbourne's rapidly developing northern growth corridor calls for a joint effort to deliver the services and community infrastructure required.
Representatives from each of the three councils this week came together in a joint Council Meeting to endorse the vision and principles of how the partnership will continue to work together to make Cloverton a reality.
The three councils will work together to seek further support and a genuine partnership with the State Government to ensure the precinct is delivered in an innovative, integrated and sustainable way.
Servicing a new population of up to 380,000 Victorians and having the potential to sustain tens of thousands of jobs, Cloverton is well placed to bring together people and families, and should it be developed in a planned and coordinated approach. Planning for Cloverton is now underway with further consultation to come.
Quotes attributable to Hume City Council Mayor Joseph Haweil:
"In order to meet this challenge and seize the opportunity, our three councils have forged a first-of-its-kind Regional Partnership to coordinate the planning and delivery of Cloverton city."
"Through our important local alignment, we are sharing the vision of helping communities stay connected by having access to essential services close to home."
"Our Regional Partnership with the Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire councils is critical in delivering Cloverton city because we know what's needed to better the lives of our northern communities isa coordination of effort, imagination and resources."
"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."
Quotes attributable to Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Fiona Stevens:
"This innovative approach to quality future development is a great example of what can be achieved when we work together to plan for population growth."
"This activity centre will be a game changer as the expanding areas bordering Melbourne to the north continue to transform with vital jobs, services and facilities to support around 380,000 people who are going to call the area home."
"By formalising the partnership between the three councils, we commit to a clear vision about how we will work together and we send a clear message to the Victorian Government that we want to partner with them to plan and deliver an exciting, innovative and sustainable new city not seen in the outer suburbs before."
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson:
"The City of Whittlesea is committed to working with our neighbours in Hume and Mitchell to not only shape but also strongly advocate for the best outcome for our current residents and future generations who will call Cloverton home."
"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."
"We are thrilled to be a key partner in the creation of a new city of such regional significance right here in the north."