A trackless tram service, increased affordable housing and a better connected city hub could be in the municipality’s future according to the newly released Wyndham 2040 Plan.
The draft proposes “six big ideas” in an effort to better connect the municipality by delivering a 20-minute city and 20-minute neighbourhoods.
The first idea proposes the creation of ‘Neighbourhood Pulses’ in Mambourin, Manor Lakes, Riverdale, Tarneit, Williams Landing, Point Cook and Point Cook South.
The concept involves ensuring there are one or two major activity centres within the pulses, as well as 20-minute access to smaller local shopping centres, and access to various land uses and community facilities.
For the second idea, council is emphasising the need for a ‘City Heart’, a central urban location that is completely capable of servicing the entire municipality and the future population of approximately 500,000 people.
Part of the proposal will involve attracting high concentrations of people to the City Heart, by generating opportunities for social interaction, employment, education, cultural activities and entertainment.
“The plan will enhance living locally, by providing the ability to meet the every day needs of residents in places that are better connected and create resilient 20-minute neighbourhoods, boosting the quality of life,” deputy mayor Jennie Barrera said.
The creation of the Wyndham Transport Network, which aspires to change the perception of Wyndham from a place to pass through to a destination, is the third idea proposed by council.
The fourth suggestion involves transforming a section of Derrimut Road to include a trackless tram service, or a dedicated bus rapid transit service, to make up the proposed Derrimut Road Boulevard.
A focus will be placed on providing increased diverse and affordable housing to accommodate Wyndham’s growing population for the fifth idea and the final idea will include integrating additional trees into urban environments to provide cooling shade, sequestering carbon and increasing biodiversity in the municipality.
“We have far less tree canopy as a proportion, in fact one of the worst in the country, when compared to our Eastern suburb counterparts,” Councillor Josh Gilligan said.
“We have an opportunity through this plan to really activate the community.”
Feedback closes Friday, March 3.
Details: theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/wyndham-plan
