As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Melbourne, one local job per household is the ambitious goal for Whittlesea.
With a rapidly increasing population, the successful creation of major employment precincts, and tracts of land still available for business development, this goal is well on track.
Council’s Director of Corporate and Economic Development, John Francis, said Council recognises the benefits of local job development and a successful job/housing balance in diversifying the local economy.
“Proactive planning and an aggressive economic development strategy has positioned the municipality as an attractive locality for multimillion dollar commercial developments,” John Francis said.
Council strategically planned for local jobs for current and future residents.
In what is the largest greenfield rezoning for employment purposes in Melbourne in 30 years, Council proactively zoned the Cooper Street employment precinct in the west of the municipality. It is expected to generate around 23,000 new jobs.
To the east, Council also proactively zoned an area opposite RMIT University for employment purposes. This $1 billion fully integrated mixed use development called University Hill is estimated to provide an additional 3,000 local jobs.
Developments such as these allow residents to work locally, live in affordable areas and access all the services of those living in a major city.
“By knowing what we want, going after it and not being satisfied with second best, we are now starting to see the benefits,” John Francis said. “For example, we researched what were emerging industries for the region with high potential for future job growth.
“We found that with our aging population and high percentage of young families, including new migrants, that aged services and medical care were two of our important emerging industries.
“We consulted health professionals within private and public hospitals and assessed their needs. Armed with this research we then actively pursued developers and promoted these opportunities and the benefits. The result has been the establishment of an exciting state of the art, new medical services hub in the Cooper Street employment precinct.”
