An artist’s impression of the proposed neighbourhood activity centre.By Paul Dunlop
A NEW ‘suburb’ is being built from the ground up in Pakenham’s north eastern fringe.
Cardinia Shire Council last week unveiled what it described as exciting plans for a new shopping and activity centre to complement booming residential development in the area.
A supermarket, specialty shops, sites for a school and medical centre and even a ‘town square’ are key features of the blueprint, which will be based in the Cardinia Lakes estate.
A church or another communitybased building has also been proposed as a feature of the development.
As population in the area continues to grow, councillors have described the developing housing belt north of the Princes Highway as a modern suburb of Pakenham.
Cr Kate Lempriere said at council’s 18 July meeting that it represented an exciting new phase in the town’s growth.
Cr Lempriere said it was important to make provisions for shops, schools and other services, given the estate was three kilometres from Pakenham’s town centre.
She said Cardinia Lakes would provide an exciting counter balance to Lakeside in the west, with the ‘old’ town in the centre.
“We are creating suburbs in a way suburbs of Pakenham,” Cr Lempriere said.
“This plan lays the groundwork for residents to build a vibrant, viable community in this new area, which will fast become a modern suburb of Pakenham.
“Local residents will have the choice of easy access to shops, schools and health care.
“Small business will create opportunity for local jobs close to home.”
Developed by Peet and Co, Cardinia Lakes is expected to eventually provide about 900 new home sites.
The plan, now on public exhibition, is expected to govern the development of the area and seeks to ensure it is balanced to provide designated space for all necessary services as well as facilities.
Planner John Holland said it would enable the area at the corner of the new Windermere Boulevard (opposite Oaktree Drive) and Princes Highway to be developed to provide virtually everything needed to build a cohesive, selfsufficient community.
Mr Holland said the new neighbourhood centre would “minimise the need for car trips out of the area”.
Key elements of the plan are:
•A shopping strip with options for outdoor cafes and a public open space with places to meet and sit;
•Sites for a community centre, a school, a kindergarten, a childcare centre and a medical centre;
•A supermarket surrounded by specialty shops;
•Car parking areas designed to enable parents to drop children off at school or childcare and pick up groceries without moving their car to a different car park.
The plan is currently open to public submissions and residents have until 5 September to view the document and make comment.
When it was discussed at council’s meeting, there was strong support for the concept.
Cr Lempriere said she believed the proposal for a church was fantastic.
The plan is on display at the shire offices in Henty Way and at Pakenham Library.
