Plan comes together for new 24 hour city in Melbourne’s north
The Victorian Government today approved plans forming part of Merrifield – Victoria’s largest fully masterplanned, mixed-use development.
A joint venture between MAB Corporation (MAB) and Gibson Property Corporation (GPC), Merrifield will see the transformation of over 1,500 hectares into a bustling 24 hour city, creating up to 30,000 new jobs and providing new homes for more than 30,000 residents.
MAB Chief Operating Officer David Hall said the approval today of the Melbourne North Growth Corridor Plan and the Merrifield West Precinct Structure Plan was a key milestone in delivering the overall Merrifield masterplan.
“We are now a step closer to fulfilling our vision,” said Mr Hall. “We already have planning approval for the Merrifield employment precinct and now with the Victorian Government’s announcement, we can complement this by delivering a new residential community close to jobs, retail, parks, sporting ovals and facilities, schools and community services.”
Situated along Donnybrook Road between the Hume Highway and Mickleham Road in Mickleham, Merrifield will set a new benchmark in shaping Melbourne’s future.
Mr Hall said today’s announcement also confirms the Merrifield City Centre (Mickleham Town Centre) as the new heart of Melbourne’s rapidly expanding northern growth corridor.
“Located conveniently near homes, jobs and the proposed Merrifield Park, the Merrifield City Centre will provide wide ranging social and community facilities to meet the needs of residents and workers within Merrifield and beyond,” said Mr Hall. “This includes opportunities for higher education, public and private schools, regional sports, health and medical facilities.
The approval of the Merrifield West Precinct Structure Plan provides for in excess of 7,000 new homes, three mixed-use local town centres, community facilities, two secondary and four primary school sites and over 100 hectares of public open space towards the greater Merrifield masterplan.
“We are building the foundations for a truly sustainabile community – new jobs and new homes linked to high quality transport infrastructure,” said Mr Hall. “This is our most visionary development to date.”
Mr Hall added that at the core of sustainable masterplanning is proximity between employment and where people choose to live. “Until Merrifield, we have not seen a plan in Melbourne’s growth areas that includes such an integrated approach – a thriving community with connections to existing and planned transport infrastructure,” he said. “We will deliver new homes, jobs and an opportunity for business to prosper.
“We are focussed on the connection between home and work, education and recreation. This requires an integrated, mixed-use approach to planning and design that is durable and capable of change as the community grows and matures.”
At completion, Merrifield is expected to comprise in excess of 12,000 homes and a 300 hectare, purpose-built commercial and business precinct that has the potential to create up to 30,000 new jobs.
“With Merrifield’s strong strategic location – just 30 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and with direct access to Melbourne freeway network – we see a large number of jobs for the transport, manufacturing, freight and logistics industries,” said Mr Hall. “Merrifield is poised to become Victoria’s new heartland of business activity.”
For further information, contact MAB Corporation on 8681 2222 or visit www.merrifieldmelbourne.com.au