An assessment the residential character of established areas in the municipality was undertaken as input to identifying the future residential Change Areas. An overview of this analysis is provided below. Refer to the Background Report – Analysis and Issues Assessment (March, 2014) for a more detailed Residential Character Assessment of the established residential areas. Melton Settlement Overview The Melton Township was first settled by squatters in the 1830s with the settlement benefiting from through traffic to the Ballarat goldfields during the Victorian Gold Rush in the 1850s. Melton was declared a ‘satellite city’ in 1974, which at the time lead to major residential development and has significantly influenced the Township’s current urban form. The development of Melton has occurred in a number of waves, which is evidenced by the progressive outward expansion of the Township over a number of eras, from its original settlement in the mid-1800s. Early development of the Township occurred organically, with later major growth in the 1970s and 1980s being driven by the declaration of Melton as a satellite city. Melton continued to expand around the original Township core between the early 1990s to early 2000s, and this pattern has continued with recent residential development generally located on the outer edges of the Township. Overall, Melton Township has a fairly consistent residential character despite these gradual changes over time from the inner Township to the outer edges. Subdivision patterns throughout Melton are relatively consistent in size, with typical lots ranging between in the standard residential areas, with the exception of the larger lots which exceed 2,000m2. Street patterns vary significantly between grid arrangements to curvilinear cul-de-sac arrangements, and these patterns have an impact on the consistency of setbacks, lot sizes and shapes, and building siting. Vegetation type and scale in Melton Township is also a considerable distinguishing feature due to significant variation. Generally, the more established areas in the inner Township consist of scattered but well-established canopy vegetation, bleeding out to dispersed shrub vegetation in the inner ring of residential development, to minimal or consistent immature landscaping in the estates on the fringes of Melton Township. Caroline Springs, Hillside, and Taylors Hill Settlement Overview The combined residential suburbs of Caroline Springs, Hillside and Taylors Hill form the current extent of residential development located on the eastern edge of the City of Melton. These specific areas form the westward continuation of urban development located within the Brimbank municipality, which is located immediately to the east of Melton.
Conversely, only limited development and investment has occurred in the established areas of the municipality, including the Melton Township. These areas now have the lowest property values in the municipality and have achieved below-average growth in property values since Caroline Springs was initially developed. The low property values, which are predominantly located in Melton Township, are considered a constraint to the commercial viability of undertaking higher-density development. With significant areas of new greenfield development planned in the Urban Growth Zone and with development expected to occur over the next 20 or so years, the ability to attract investment and new residential development to the established areas of the municipality will continue to be a significant challenge. Similarly, the creation of new employment opportunities in the municipality will also contribute positively to the City of Melton as a place to live, including the established residential areas. Local employment opportunities can lead to the retention of existing residents and the attraction of new residents, all seeking to work close to home. Objective 4: Action and Implementation Plan Action No. Action Council Role Partnerships Timeframe Theme Addressed 4.1 Update the High Street Structure Plan (2007) and the Woodgrove Structure Plan (2007), focusing on the opportunity for mixed use development (i.e. including residential) within commercial areas Facilitate the update of existing Structure Plans for the High Street Town Centre (2007) and Woodgrove Structure Plan (2006). Local businesses, key stakeholders Affordability; Diversity; Housing Design Innovation 4.2 Continue to invest and improve public infrastructure, services and facilities that will contribute to the City of Melton’s established areas being places where people want to live, work and invest Facilitate the development of new facilities and improvement of existing facilities where needed, including schools, community facilities, recreation facilities, retail and commercial areas, streetscape improvements, etc. None applicable On-going Infrastructure, Services and Transport 4.3 To advocate appropriate locations for public infrastructure Liaise with relevant providers and authorities of public infrastructure Relevant authorities On-going Infrastructure, Services and Transport 4.4 Facilitate development that contributes to local employment opportunities for City of Facilitate planning applications for development proposals that contribute positively None applicable On-going Diversity; Infrastructure, Services and Transport
Melton residents. to local employment opportunities in the City of Melton. 4.5 Promote the continued improvement of existing activity centres as places to shop, socialise, do business and partake in community and entertainment-related activities Promote business development opportunities, facilitate that improve the level and quality of services in activity centres, and co-ordinate improvements to amenity and streetscape. Local businesses, land owners, traders associations, the community On-going Infrastructure, Services and Transport 4.6 Advocate for improvement to the public transport network, including both rail and bus Liaise with relevant agencies for improvements to both rail and bus networks in the City of Melton. Public Transport Victoria, MPA, DTPLI On-going Infrastructure, Services and Transport Objective 5: To retain the existing housing character in appropriate locations by managing existing residential precincts through housing policy City of Melton residents value many things about the character of their neighbourhoods, and Melton City Council supports the protection and enhancement of recognised character where appropriate. Where unique and valued neighbourhood character can be retained, this can have positive influences on residents’ ‘pride of place’ and potentially on property values. Objective 5: Action and Implementation Plan Action No. Action Council Role Partnerships Timeframe Theme Addressed 5.1 Undertake a detailed neighbourhood character study Council to lead the development of a neighbourhood character study DTPLI Short-term Character; Diversity 5.2 Develop residential and urban design guidelines and incorporate relevant requirements into schedules to the residential zones Council to lead the development of the residential and urban design guidelines and initiate relevant planning scheme amendments MPA, and DTPLI Character; Diversity 5.3 Familiarise relevant Council's officers on the content and findings of the neighbourhood character assessments Use the neighbourhood character assessment provided in the Background Report for this Strategy to familiarise and inform None applicable Short- to Character; Diversity
Guidelines prepared by the MPA present as an example of what could be prepared by the City of Melton. 7.4 Inform residents, land owners and developers of the benefits of ESD principles Undertake an information program that promotes the development of ESD principles in new developments, redevelopments and renovations. This may involve distributing information via Council’s website, mail-outs or presentations. Community, land owners, development industry On-going Housing Design Innovation 7.5 Investigate the implications of increasing residential densities on the provision of community facilities, including schools, open space, recreation facilities, etc Undertake an audit of community facilities and assess the implications of increased development, particularly in the Residential Growth Zone, on the overall provision of these facilities. None applicable Long-term Infrastructure, Services and Transport 7.6 Investigate the implications of increasing residential densities on the provision of engineering infrastructure, including roads, drainage, power, etc Assess the implications of increased development, particularly in the Residential Growth Zone, on the overall provision of these infrastructure and utility services. Various utility providers Long-term Infrastructure, Services and Transport Area Specific Actions The following actions relate to specific areas in the City of Melton and the implementation of the new residential zones (refer Part B of the Strategy). Area Specific Action and Implementation Plan Action No. Action Council Role Partnerships Timeframe Theme Addressed A.1 Develop built form and/or urban design guidelines as input to the RGZ schedule and/or Development Plan Overlay for land bounded by Barries Road, Station Street, Facilitate the development of built form and/or urban design guidelines as input into the RGZ schedule and/or a Development Plan Overlay (DPO). This study should investigate the None applicable Short-term Character; Diversity