http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ca...025-288aw.html
Carlton the new CBD? City to 220,000 add new residents
Date
October 26, 2012
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AN EXPANDED Melbourne central business district could add 220,000 new residents in the next three decades, according to a new planning report.
The massive residential expansion would mean a ten-fold increase in the number of residents living in the CBD and require a significant increase in community services such as schools.
Southbank and Fishermans Bend are predicted to add 160,000 new residents, half in each area. A ''city north'' growth corridor through Carlton, stretching from the Hoddle grid to Grattan Street, could add 10,000 new residents, while the Arden-Macaulay precinct in North Melbourne could also add 18,000 residents, Docklands 10,500 and the Hoddle grid itself 20,000.
The report says ''one of Melbourne's competitive advantages is the amount of land available for development in strategic central city locations, such as Fishermans Bend, E-Gate [in West Melbourne] and the Arden precinct''.
The state government report, Melbourne, let's talk about the future, predicts Melbourne will need an extra million homes in the next 30 to 40 years as the population increases to more than 6 million.
The need for more homes will be compounded by an ageing population as the number of people over 65 is expected to double in the next 20 years and the percentage of households that have children declines.
But controversially, the report also revealed most existing homes in Melbourne are too expensive for households on a median income, and only a handful of suburbs - mostly on the city's fringe - passed the affordability test.
Households earning the city's median annual income of $70,300 have few suburbs to choose from. Even the cheapest suburbs require an annual household income of between $67,000 and $90,000 to pay the mortgage and other bills.
The report also identifies the need to increase job options in Melbourne's growth areas so fewer people are compelled to drive long distances to work. Long journeys were leading people to choose less-skilled jobs closer to home.
''Even short trips under one kilometre in the outer suburbs are made by car,'' it says. ''Around 90 per cent of people in the outer areas and 40 per cent of people in the inner areas drive to work.''
The state opposition has criticised the report and accused the Baillieu government of "destroying our envied way of life."
Carlton the new CBD? City to 220,000 add new residents
Date
October 26, 2012
AN EXPANDED Melbourne central business district could add 220,000 new residents in the next three decades, according to a new planning report.
The massive residential expansion would mean a ten-fold increase in the number of residents living in the CBD and require a significant increase in community services such as schools.
Southbank and Fishermans Bend are predicted to add 160,000 new residents, half in each area. A ''city north'' growth corridor through Carlton, stretching from the Hoddle grid to Grattan Street, could add 10,000 new residents, while the Arden-Macaulay precinct in North Melbourne could also add 18,000 residents, Docklands 10,500 and the Hoddle grid itself 20,000.
The report says ''one of Melbourne's competitive advantages is the amount of land available for development in strategic central city locations, such as Fishermans Bend, E-Gate [in West Melbourne] and the Arden precinct''.
The state government report, Melbourne, let's talk about the future, predicts Melbourne will need an extra million homes in the next 30 to 40 years as the population increases to more than 6 million.
The need for more homes will be compounded by an ageing population as the number of people over 65 is expected to double in the next 20 years and the percentage of households that have children declines.
But controversially, the report also revealed most existing homes in Melbourne are too expensive for households on a median income, and only a handful of suburbs - mostly on the city's fringe - passed the affordability test.
Households earning the city's median annual income of $70,300 have few suburbs to choose from. Even the cheapest suburbs require an annual household income of between $67,000 and $90,000 to pay the mortgage and other bills.
The report also identifies the need to increase job options in Melbourne's growth areas so fewer people are compelled to drive long distances to work. Long journeys were leading people to choose less-skilled jobs closer to home.
''Even short trips under one kilometre in the outer suburbs are made by car,'' it says. ''Around 90 per cent of people in the outer areas and 40 per cent of people in the inner areas drive to work.''
The state opposition has criticised the report and accused the Baillieu government of "destroying our envied way of life."