A PLAN for the future of Chelsea is in the works.
Chelsea’s city centre has been designated a “major activity centre” by the state government. It currently does not have a structure plan to guide future development plans.
Council began working on a draft structure plan for Chelsea in 2019, which was planned to cover zoning for nearby residential areas, level crossing removal plans, appropriate land uses, and height limits for developments. Development of the plan came to a halt after the onset of COVID-19.
A report prepared for Kingston councillors by council officers read that the community should be engaged again, as the area has changed since the first round of consultation in 2019. “Whilst the structure plan has been on hold a number of new projects have either commenced or been completed within the activity centre which require further consideration. Importantly, the structure plan will now need to be responsive to, rather than anticipatory of the level crossing removal project,” council officers wrote. “Given the precinct has undergone significant changes since the project commenced in 2018, it is proposed to first reconnect with the community and check-in to identify any new issues or opportunities that need to be incorporated into the draft structure plan.
“A report will be brought to council at the conclusion of the engagement period considering any feedback received and presenting a draft Chelsea structure plan for council endorsement and further community consultation.”
Kingston Council’s housing strategy, which was sent to the planning minister for approval in August, retained the existing zones for the Chelsea activity centre. Council officers wrote that the zones would be retained “until the structure plan implements new residential zones.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 25 October 2023