By Brendan Rees
Narre Warren Village could be in line for a facelift after Casey Council unveiled its visionary plan for major development in the area.
Councillors voted a their 15 October meeting to adopt the draft Narre Warren Village Urban Design Framework which proposes to revitalise the village – a designated precinct within the Fountain Gate Narre Warren Metropolitan Activity Centre located adjacent to Narre Warren rail station.
Key plans include:
• an improved Webb Street precinct
• street enhancement
• an urban plaza
• traffic redirected from Webb Street
• change of bus movement
• a shared path bridge leading straight to the village for pedestrian and cyclists
• enhanced train station environment
• green infrastructure including water sensitive urban design features for storm water management
Casey manager of city design and construction Trevor Griffin said the framework would encourage employment close to home, more sustainable transport modes to reduce congestion and car dependence, a vibrant core of activity and lifestyle options around the train station, and improved safety and attractiveness of the centre as a destination.
The framework would “likely be ongoing for many years” or “accelerated” if council is successful in securing funding or if market conditions support early investment, he said.
“In the next three to five years, council will aim to develop project proposals to submit to the State Government to improve local traffic snarls, upgrade the bus interchange and improve pedestrian safety around the train station,” Mr Griffin said.
“Council believes that the train station car park could be safer and better managed through more thriving activity around the station, such as cafés, offices and improved retail tenancies.
“We are aware that increasing parking numbers could further exacerbate the grid lock, which is experienced in the area during peak times, so this must be carefully planned to avoid long-term, detrimental impacts on the village,” he said.
“Ideally, commuters would be able to access a reliable and efficient bus service to the station to reduce the dependence on cars and parking at the station.”
An improvement program to upgrade the dilapidated Webb Street shopping precinct in Narre Warren did not fall under the Urban Design Framework but was an “immediate initiative to support business owners to uplift the look and feel of the village, while council worked towards more substantial, longer-term improvements,” Mr Griffin said.
Concerns raised by the public regarding the framework included traffic congestion, lack of car parking near the train station, safety concerns including lacking of lighting as well as drug and rubbish, poor streetscape and shopping environment.
The framework plan was available for viewing and feedback from 13 August to 10 September,
