This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
VICTORIA's Ballieu government has unveiled a bold vision to expand the Melbourne CBD district, to create a high density metropolis similar to New York City.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the 20 to 50 year proposal to extend the CBD beyond the Hoddle Grid, Docklands and Southbank to include part of Carlton, St Kilda Rd and Fishermans Bend.
“Melbourne’s Hoddle grid was designed in 1837 when Melbourne’s population was only a few thousand. With a population of four million and growing, we need to have a vision for the central city that matches our growth. We know we cannot only expand in the outer suburbs, but need to also extend the beating heart of the city.
“Today, over 30,000 people call the CBD, Southbank and Docklands home. We need to continue the discussion about how to provide inner city living opportunities for those who desire it,” he added.
“We want to hear Melburnians’ views about where high density housing is best located.
“It doesn’t mean we will have Rialto-size buildings in every part of it, but what you will have is greater density and greater height throughout an expanded CBD,” Guy said. “Many people are concerned about high rise towers dominating quiet suburban streets, so we need to ask if high rise should be primarily concentrated in the inner city to take growth pressure off Melbourne’s existing suburbs, while also capitalising on existing infrastructure,”
Guy said this long-term vision needed bipartisan support and was a prelude to consultation on the new Metropolitan Strategy.
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