KINGSTON residents are invited to help shape the future of planning in Kingston through a series of councillor ward meetings this month.
The interactive, professionally-facilitated group discussions will provide residents with the opportunity to contribute their views to council’s housing and neighbourhood character study, which will address the housing needs of Kingston for the next 20 years and beyond.
Kingston mayor Cr David Eden said councillors called for the meetings to address the challenge of how to accommodate more people without losing the amenity of our neighbourhoods, with Melbourne’s population set to grow to nearly 8 million people by 2051.
“Our city can’t keep sprawling outwards, so it’s imperative we address the challenge of density. These studies will help us to understand the challenge at hand in better detail,” Cr Eden said.
“Kingston Council has long-campaigned to see population growth centred in key activity centres, close to public transport, shops and services, to protect the character and amenity of our neighbourhoods and quiet residential streets.”
The neighbourhood character study will set out the types of development preferred in different parts of Kingston, including areas where minimal, incremental or substantial change may be appropriate.
Council is also undertaking a car parking study and planning scheme review to help inform its decision making.
Community members will be able to discuss key planning issues at the meetings, such as what they love about their streets or suburbs, what should be protected for the future, future housing needs, affordability, and the level of control that local councils have over planning.
“Everyone is welcome to participate in the Councillor ward meetings, which will be held in each of Kingston’s North, Central and South wards,” Cr Eden said.
“Our community’s input is crucial to the process, so we encourage everyone to come along and have their say.”
- South ward meeting – Thursday 19 October, 6pm-8pm, LF Payne Hall (Chelsea Library)
- North ward meeting – Tuesday 24 October, 6pm-8pm, Clarinda Community Centre
- Central ward meeting – Thursday 26 October, 6pm-8pm, City of Kingston, Cheltenham office
Residents are able to RSVP to the councillor ward meetings by calling 9581 4713 or by registering at kingston.vic.gov.au/wardmeetings online.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 4 October 2017