A town centre and housing will be among the first developments in Wyndham’s newest suburb, with the state government calling for expressions of interest from companies keen to develop the area’s first major parcel of land.
The government and the Metropolitan Planning Authority are seeking industry proposals to develop a 400-hectare parcel at East Werribee on the site of the former State Research Farm.
As reported by the Star Weekly, the new suburb, which will include 7000 houses and the long-awaited Werribee Employment Precinct, was given the green light by the government in October last year.
The 400-hectare site being offered to the industry includes 135 hectares that have been set aside for residential developments, as well as 142 hectares for commercial and mixed use buildings.
The remaining 123 hectares will be used for parks, waterways and roads.
MPA chief executive Peter Seamer said the parcel of land presented developers with a chance to create “something that hasn’t been done before”.
“The government’s vision for East Werribee is for it to become a hub for health, learning and innovation, create investment opportunities, promote diversity in housing and provide critical transport infrastructure and amenity for businesses, workers, visitors and residents,” he said.
“This is something that hasn’t been done before. We need something like this in the western part of Melbourne.
“It is a better place to do business, it is a new place to do business and it is closer to where you live.”
The MPA wants the 400-hectare site to include a town centre based around a central lake and heritage park, as well as commercial and high-density residential developments.
Expressions of interest in the parcel will be sought over the next five weeks, with submissions potentially shortlisted in August to allow for more detailed proposals to be submitted.
Mr Seamer said it was likely a preferred bidder would be selected by October.
