Officer takes growth lead

OFFICER is set to boom over the next 15 years as two major residential developments near completion.
Two new communities, which will be created as part of Cardinia Road Precinct and Officer Structure Plans, will see the town’s population explode.
By 2031, Officer will be home to 40,295 people, up from 1090.
A major activity centre in Officer, which will see the amount of retail space increase to 40,000 square metres to create 6000 jobs, is also part of the plans.
The Cardinia Road Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), a 1051 hectare development on the Pakenham-Officer border, is already well underway and will see the creation of about 10,000 homes for 30,000 people.
Next door, the Officer PSP will also boast about 10,000 houses for around 28,000 people on just over 1000 hectares.
Cardinia Shire chief executive Garry McQuillan said that development was particularly exciting.
“It’s the place where developer VicUrban will set the benchmark for sustainability,” he said.
“I think it will be the only development of its type in Victoria.”
Mr McQuillan said VicUrban would focus on minimising gas emissions and utilising recycled water and waste.
It is expected that work on the Officer PSP will start mid next year.
Mr McQuillan said the new developments would see Officer become an educational hub. Once complete, he anticipated there would be four primary, three secondary and six private schools in the town.