Amendment C21322 February – 22 March 2018Epping Renewal Site: 215 Cooper Street, Epping

Amendment C213What is Amendment C213?Amendment C213 is a proposed change to the Whittlesea Planning Scheme to facilitate the rehabilitation and future development of the former Epping Quarry land at 215, 315W and 325C Cooper Street, Epping.

The amendment will provide new planning controls to guide the future development of the land for a mixed use development comprising of employment, health services, housing and open space.

Land to which the Amendment applies.The Amendment applies to land at land shown as the ‘Subject site’ in Figure 1. The Amendment predominantly applies to 215 Cooper Street, Epping. This land is the former Epping Quarry site which was previously used for quarrying and landfill activities which ceased almost 20 years ago.

The Amendment also applies to adjoining land at 183-189, 315W and 325C Cooper Street which requires planning scheme anomalies to be rectified. The Amendment does not propose changes to the surrounding residential or commercial properties.

Figure 1: Subject Site

Amendment C21322 February – 22 March 2018Epping Renewal Site: 215 Cooper Street, Epping

Amendment C213

What changes are proposed?The amendment proposes the following changes to the Whittlesea Planning Scheme:

Rezones the subject land to facilitate the mixed use development of the land. The land will be rezoned from Industrial 3 Zone to part Commercial 1 Zone, part Special Use Zone and part Mixed Use Zone.

Rezones land along the Edgars Creek corridor to protect the creek and enhance environmental values and conservation.

Applies the Environmental Audit Overlay to part of the land.

Applies the Development Plan Overlay to the land.

Updates the flooding provisions applying to the land.

Rectifies planning scheme anomalies applying to the subject and adjoining land.

Figure 2: Proposed Zoning Change

What is a Development Plan and how is it prepared?The Development Play Overlay proposed to be applied as part of the Amendment will require the preparation of a Development Plan in future.

A Development Plan is an overarching master plan for the site which will guide the future development of the land.

The plan which will be prepared will address a range of matters. These are outlined in the exhibited planning controls and include road network, open space, building heights, servicing and stormwater drainage.

Council will further consult with affected parties during the preparation of the Development Plan.

Amendment C21322 February – 22 March 2018Epping Renewal Site: 215 Cooper Street, Epping

Amendment C21322 February – 22 March 2018Epping Renewal Site: 215 Cooper Street, EppingWhat will the future mixed-use development include?The zoning changes will facilitate future development of the land which will comprise a variety of land uses. Whilst it is not exactly known at this stage what will be built until subsequent planning process has occurred, at this point it is anticipated that the development will comprise:

A diversity of housing including townhouses, units and apartments with a component of social and affordable housing.

Health services which support the Northern Hospital health precinct.

Commercial and offices uses which provide for employment.

Public parks including a long linear reserve along Edgars Creek.

Road, pedestrian and cycle links.

The proposed zoning, in conjunction with a more detailed Development Plan will provide for the proposed land uses.

How will transport and traffic issues be addressed?The Development Plan will require the preparation of a detailed Transport Management Plan to identify current and future traffic generation and to provide for vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle movements. The site will be developed with connections to the surrounding transport networks and ensure that traffic is appropriately managed.

The development will generate jobs within an easy commute of surrounding residents and housing close to jobs, shops and transport.

This will lessen the distance residents will have to travel and provide greater

opportunities for people to walk and cycle to their place of employment.

What is planned for Edgars Creek?The Amendment supports the rehabilitation and enhancement of Edgars Creek corridor including a linear conservation and open space reserves encompassing more than 11 hectares of land. Reports prepared as part of the Development Plan process will provide further detail.

How is contamination being addressed?Given the former land use, land contamination issues are being thoroughly investigated. A Site Remediation Strategy has been prepared which outlines how the site will be remediated and made safe for people who will live and work on the site in the future.

The Amendment applies the Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) which requires an Environmental Audit overseen by an independent Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Auditor to be completed prior to the land being developed. This Audit is currently underway and will be finalised before the Amendment process is completed.

The Audit will make recommendations in respect to how the land is developed and buildings are built to ensure that the land is safe.

When will the development occur?

If approved, the development will occur over in a staged basis over potentially a 10-15 year time period. It is expected that the first stage of development may commence as early as 2019.

Amendment C21322 February – 22 March 2018Epping Renewal Site: 215 Cooper Street, EppingSubmissions to Amendment C213If you would like to make a comment on the proposed changes to the Planning Scheme, it is important that you make a submission in writing either via email to strategic.planning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or by sending a letter to

Chief Executive OfficerCity of WhittleseaLocked Bag 1Bundoora MDC VIC 3083

The closing date for submissions is 22 March 2018.

To be part of the next stage of the amendment process, please include your postal address and note Council’s reference file number ‘192273’ with your submission.

Please note that submissions are part of an open public process. If you choose to make a submission, you consent to your submission being made public and being identified as the author of the submission.

What happens next?

Once the exhibition period is finished, Council will consider all submissions received and the issues raised. If the issues raised cannot be easily resolved, Council will ask an Independent Panel, appointed by the State Government, to consider them.

Submitters will be invited to present their submission at the Panel Hearing. The Panel will then make recommendations which Council will consider and make changes if necessary.

The final approval for the amendment is required from the Minister for Planning

Further InformationThe Amendment is available for public inspection, free of charge, at the following places: During office hours at City of Whittlesea

Council offices, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang

City of Whittlesea website, www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au

DELWP website at www.delwp.vic.gov.au/public-inspection

Drop-in information session to be held on: 5.30 – 7.30pm, Wednesday, 7 March 2018, at Northern Centre for Health Education

Research, 189 Cooper Street, Epping (next to Northern Hospital)

For further information or to book an appointment to discuss the Amendment in more detail please contact City of Whittlesea’s Strategic Planning and Design Department: Telephone- 9217 2170 Email-

strategic.planning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.