MILDURA Council has been accused of being “too far behind” in its strategic planning for the city’s southern growth corridor as the land squeeze worsens.
Prominent local planning consultant Roy Costa said the “house full” sign had already gone up in Irymple amid a building boom in 2020.
He is now warning that “land is fast running out to be developed” in Mildura South.
Mr Costa yesterday called for council to fast-track plans to open up more land for residential development on Sixteenth Street, between Deakin and Etiwanda avenues.
“In all of council’s strategies, this particular area has been earmarked for residential development – but they are playing a waiting game,” he said.
“Land surrounding the new Mildura South sporting precinct should be rezoned now and the area developed for new houses to complement the new facilities.
“The infrastructure will be there to support the new housing, which will be in high demand.”
He accused the council’s planners of “lacking the foresight” to keep up with the region’s rapid growth.
“Council is too far behind in respect to their strategic planning work,” Mr Costa said.
“They are not being proactive enough in getting the next stage of rezoning done now for Mildura South.
“As developers keep telling council, we’re running out of land (for new residential developments), and we’re running out of it quickly.”
A council spokesman said it had plans in place to help ease the region’s growing pains.
“We are moving to accommodate the continued growth and expansion of our city and urban areas through both the draft Mildura South Neighbourhood Activity Centre master plan and a new Mildura East growth corridor, established by the Mildura Housing and Settlement Strategy,” the spokesman said.
“The Mildura East Growth Area Strategic Framework project will start in coming months and focus on the growth area on the eastern edge of urban Mildura generally bounded by Nichols Point, Irymple and Irymple Avenue.
“This project will guide and allow an additional urban residential growth front within this boundary.
“Council will be guided by housing supply and demand forecasts undertaken as part of this study to justify any immediate or short-term rezoning opportunities identified both within and beyond the new growth area, in addition to the long term outcomes.”
