City of Casey seeks submissions on Cranbourne's town centre structure plan

The City of Casey is seeking submissions on the draft Cranbourne town centre structure plan which is currently on public exhibition.

Cranbourne's draft town centre structure plan covers an area which includes the land from the north of Cranbourne Station, down the South Gippsland Highway; it encompasses the original town centre and the existing light industrial area opposite the Cranbourne racecourse.

The structure plan has 4 precincts which are linked to specific land use - Community uses in the Casey complex located on the eastern side of Cameron Street, residential intensification on the western side of Cameron Street, a Mixed-use commercial core which runs the length of the South Gippsland Highway and employment and service precincts located either side of the main residential intensification precinct on between Cameron Street and the commercial core.

The built form of the Cranbourne Town Centre tells the story of how it has grown and changed over time with distinct areas of commercial, industrial and residential buildings, consistent with a rural township becoming an outer suburb of Melbourne transitioning into a significant activity centre in the region.

Existing buildings throughout the town centre are primarily 1-2 storey, with some larger commercial buildings throughout. It is expected that residential and commercial development will be concentrated in the Cranbourne Town Centre in order to support the expected future demand. These building types are still apparent throughout Cranbourne, and it is expected that growth and development will contribute positively to the centre’s image.

Land around the Cranbourne Railway Station should encourage transit-oriented development and contribute to making the station a more attractive area. Higher density residential and mixed-use development in this location together with commercial development in the High street north area should positively contribute to the image of the centre, creating an attractive public environment which draws people down through to the High Street area. 

Draft Cranbourne town centre structure plan

The mixed-use commercial core calls for any new development over 1000sqm at the Cranbourne Park shopping centre must include streetscape improvements, facade activation and an enhanced pedestrian environment.  The preferred height limit for the commercial core is 17-20 metres with street-wall heights of 11 metres and upper-level setbacks of 5 metres - perhaps most importantly, new car parking will not be allowed at the front of the building.

In the residential intensification precincts, the Residential Growth Zone will be used and amalgamation of blocks will be encouraged to allow higher-density development to occur.  13.5 metres with a setback of 5 metres is proposed throughout the precinct.

To view the draft structure plan and to make a submission, see the City of Casey website.  Submissions close on Monday 23rd of April 2018.