The Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan has been approved.
The Minister for Planning has approved the Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan and Infrastructure Contributions Plan under Amendment C274, which is incorporated into the Cardinia Planning Scheme.
Council's consideration of the submission for Amendment C274 on 11 December 2023, subsequent Standing Advisory Committee hearing in March-April 2024 and the Minister's approval of the Precinct Structure Plan and Infrastructure Contributions Plan on the 27 February 2025 marks a significant milestone in Council's commitment to developing the Officer South Employment Precinct.
The Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan, covering approximately 1068 hectares of land, is a strategic initiative to create a State Significant Industrial and regionally significant commercial Precinct in alignment with Plan Victoria 2025 and the Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan (2020).
The precinct will offer a dedicated hub for employment separate from residential areas, providing ample space for industries requiring larger lots and buffer distances. With convenient access to infrastructure, nearby services, and freight connections, the precinct is designed to attract a diverse range of innovative industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial operations. Officer South sets a new standard for future employment precincts in the shire.
This State Significant Employment Precinct will generate abundant employment opportunities, with approximately 22,000 diverse new jobs created closer to emerging communities in Cardinia Shire. The precinct will also feature a well-designed and sustainable residential neighbourhood for around 5,000 residents to support living and working locally. The plan also aims to enhance local biodiversity with more than 330 hectares of open space and a focus on the protection of Cardinia Creek and Lower Gum Scrub Creek.
The approval of the Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan and subsequent Infrastructure Contributions Plan further strengthen the Council's advocacy efforts in calling for the extension of Thompsons Road to connect Berwick-Cranbourne Road in Clyde with Koo Wee Rup Road in Pakenham.
Council is asking the Australian and Victorian Governments to work with the Greater South East Melbourne group of councils to help deliver a key arterial road that will transform the region.
Fostering more high-skill local job opportunities and cutting congestion are two of Cardinia Shire Council's highest priorities. An extended Thompsons Road will address these problems by connecting Cranbourne, Clyde, Officer, and Pakenham with the new Officer South Employment Precinct. Commuter and commercial traffic will no longer need to rely on the Monash Freeway to access well-paid and high-skilled jobs elsewhere.
This initiative will contribute to a more vibrant and diverse local economy by facilitating job creation closer to home and reducing commute times, benefiting residents and businesses within the Cardinia Shire and greater South East regions.
The approval of the Officer South Employment Precinct Structure Plan will enable Council to continue delivering sustainable economic development and enhancing employment opportunities within Officer and throughout the shire.
