The North East Link project (NELP) will lead a feasibility study of Council owned land at 2 – 14 Websters Road Templestowe to determine the site’s suitability as a future employment precinct.
The Websters Road location is being considered as a potential site to offset the loss of land at the Bulleen Industrial Precinct as a result of the NELP.
“The North East Link will displace 96 of 110 businesses at the Bulleen Industrial Precinct and significantly impact the economic and social wellbeing of our community”, Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish said.
“Finding local relocation opportunities for Bulleen Industrial Precinct (BIP) businesses has been a major priority for Council. A number of affected businesses have expressed a desire to relocate within our local area.”
The 4.5 hectare site at Websters Road is a Council compound situated within an existing employment precinct. An independent Employment Lands Study identified the site as a suitable alternative location - pending further investigations, economic assessments and community consultation.
The site is located outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and zoned Public Use Zone, requiring changes to the existing Victorian planning policies and the Planning and Environment (Metropolitan Green Wedge Protection) Act 2003.
“To maximise the scope for successful relocation of businesses, Manningham supports this preliminary step to investigate the rezoning of council owned land at Websters Road, Templestowe for its potential redevelopment for employment use.
“We requested that the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, consider this proposal when assessing the panel report on the North East Link Environmental Effects Statement. We want to see impacted businesses relocate with minimal disruption.”
The feasibility study will include detailed investigations as part of a comprehensive planning and development assessment. NELP and Council will undertake community consultation to seek feedback from surrounding residents, businesses and stakeholders.
“Once the NEL project is complete, remaining land at the Bulleen Industrial Precinct must be reinstated as an employment precinct, to provide ongoing local jobs and to support our local economy,” Cr McLeish said.
