Big plans for Narre South

By Kelly Yates
A NEW supermarket, a discount department store, speciality shops and a community library could be on the cards for Narre Warren South as part of the Casey Central Town Centre Development Plan.
Casey council adopted the proposed plan at Tuesday night’s council meeting, meaning that a development application could now be lodged for the shopping centre extension along Narre-Cranbourne Road.
City of Casey strategic development manager Liam said the timing of the development of the shopping centre was up to the landowner.
The Casey Central precinct currently functions as a retail shopping centre known as Casey Central Shopping Centre, which consists of a supermarket, a bottle shop and speciality retailers.
The proposed Casey Central town centre is set to provide the community with opportunities to work, shop, live and take part in leisure activities.
The development plan says the Casey Central town centre is intended to be an urban street-based activity centre, providing people with an opportunity for an alternative to big box shopping centres.
The streets are set to be pedestrian friendly with places to sit, ample lighting, wide pavements and artwork displays.
Promoting walking and cycling is a key element in the plan.
Council officers received two submissions about the proposed plan during the public exhibition process.
A Narre Warren South resident was concerned that the Casey Central Town Centre Development Plan proposed to open the southern end of Cromford Crescent and make it a through road to Glasscocks Road.
According to council officers, the resident was informed that the City of Casey had no intention of connecting the roads.
Councillor Lorraine Wreford told the News the plan was essential due to the rapid growth in the area.
“The community is looking forward to the development as currently there aren’t enough shops in the precinct,” she said.
Cr Wreford also added a further motion during the council meeting that council officers continue negotiations with the owners of Casey Central Shopping Centre for the provision of public library space in the next expansion.
The Springfield Ward councillor said the library should be located near the childcare centre.
Cr Wreford’s vision for the long-term plan, after the duplication of the Narre-Cranbourne Road, also includes a pedestrian overpass being installed.
“The pedestrian overpass, which would connect one side of the road to the other, would be a good idea as a safety measure for the community,” she said.