Development of Point Cook’s green wedge is a step closer, with Wyndham council agreeing to allow planning for new housing developments to begin.
Councillors agreed last week to write to the Metropolitan Planning Authority to give support for studies needed to develop precinct structure plans (PSPs) for a site bordering Hacketts, Aviation and Point Cook roads.
The 443-hectare site was brought inside the urban growth boundary by Planning Minister Matthew Guy in 2012 on the recommendation of Wyndham council.
The council asked the authority to delay development until improvements were made to Point Cook’s roads and public transport.
But last week it said that significant transport announcements by the state government meant the site could be developed.
The area is likely to be planned in two PSPs.
“With a new train station now completed at Williams Landing, plans for an extended bus route and the Sneydes Road diamond interchange to be completed in 2016, transport infrastructure is much better-placed to deal with the new residents who will move into this area,” Cr Glenn Goodfellow said.
The council also supports preliminary studies into developing the other part of the site. Environmentalists say they will not object to the northern end of the green wedge being developed but would be concerned about any move to develop the southern section.
Western Melbourne Catchments Network co-ordinator Colleen Miller said the lower part contained swamp land and needed to be protected. “We don’t have any objections to the northern part being developed,” she said.
“But the southern part needs a lot more work and has a lot of issues.”
