Permit to deliver much needed homes in Lalor

A new 25-lot residential subdivision in Lalor will deliver new local homes and increase the safety of the Whittlesea Public Gardens.  

At Tuesday’s Council Meeting, Councillors approved a planning permit application for the subdivision of a former road reserve along the eastern edge of the gardens for 25 residential lots. 

The new residential street of new homes will deliver a key component of the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan that was endorsed by Council in 2018. 

During consultation with the community on the Whittlesea Gardens Master Plan, the lack of visibility into the gardens was identified as a safety issue and barrier to community use. The residential subdivision will improve perceptions of public safety by increasing passive surveillance from the homes, drivers and pedestrians. 

A new 15-metre-wide local street, connecting Barry Road and Benaroon Drive, will be constructed to provide access to the homes. The new street will have a landscape treatment, including street trees, to provide an attractive frontage to the gardens.  

Thirty-nine indented car parking bays along the road’s western side will provide additional parking options for residents. 

Nearby residents provided valuable feedback throughout the permit process and the design guidelines for the development and permit conditions will ensure the amenity of the existing neighbourhood is maintained and an attractive interface to the gardens is delivered.  

Since adopting the Whittlesea Public Gardens Master Plan in 2018, the space has undergone a significant transformation to make it a more desirable place for families to spend time. 

This includes a new playground, learn-to-ride circuit, upgraded picnic and barbecue facilities, street-style skate park, climbing wall, half-court basketball courts and more. 

Improvements to the gardens are continuing, with a soon-to-open off-leash dog park, and plans for a new car park, walking and cycling paths and water features underway.  

Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Martin Taylor: 

“The Downs Road residential development will make excellent use of under-utilised Council land to deliver new homes in Lalor, adjacent to a beautiful open space. Through the master planning process for the Whittlesea Public Gardens, we heard community concerns about antisocial behaviour in the park and this informed the proposal for this development. Once the new street and homes are delivered, there will be improved perceptions of safety, encouraging many new visitors to enjoy the wonderful new facilities that Council has built there in recent years. The development will also deliver much-needed new homes in Lalor, located close to open space, public transport and health and education services.”