Whitehorse City Council is calling on the Victorian Government to partner with them to deliver great community outcomes for the Box Hill and Burwood areas which are set to change dramatically due to the Suburban Rail Loop.
The Victorian Government has released plans to accommodate 70,000 homes and 230,000 jobs around six Suburban Rail Loop precincts, with towers of up to 40 storeys high proposed for Box Hill and 20 storeys in Burwood.
Whitehorse City Council made a submission to the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) in February 2024, stressing the importance of working collaboratively with Council to develop the Structure Plans for Box Hill and Burwood. The latest plans from SRLA have been released without feedback to Council regarding the issues raised as part of previous rounds of community engagement.
Mayor Denise Massoud acknowledged the need for more housing and jobs but said increases will need to be balanced with provision of open space and other amenities.
Increases in height and density on the scale proposed by SRLA will be a significant change for Burwood, where most dwellings are one or two storeys.
"It's critical the Victorian Government works with Council to ensure new public open space is provided , as the Box Hill and Burwood populations and their workforces are set to more than double by 2056." Cr Massoud said.
"We'd love to have own 'Central Park' or 'Fitzroy Gardens' right here in Box Hill which would bring enormous social, environmental and economic benefits to the liveability of our city right now and into the future.
"We support the Suburban Rail Loop's transport improvements but stress the need for transparent planning that puts the community's interests first and includes collaboration with Council."
There are multiple Victorian Government Big Build projects taking place in Whitehorse at present.
"Here in Whitehorse, roughly 15 MCG's of open space could be temporarily or permanently impacted during the construction of the Victorian Government's Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link projects. Extra residents and workers as a result of SRL precinct planning will place an even greater stress on our open spaces" Cr Massoud said.
"We want to work with the Victorian Government to unlock a larger area to provide space for residents who deserve to enjoy the benefits of living near open space.
"As the local Council, we have unique insight into local issues and opportunities. We need to be part of these decisions ."
To have your say on the Victorian Government's key directions for Box Hill click here: https://www.srleastvisions.com.au/box-hill
For the Burwood key directions, click here: https://www.srleastvisions.com.au/burwood
