Major development and infrastructure projects

An industrial precinct flanked by busy freeways.

Building our region's prosperity

Learn more about Council’s advocacy priorities, development and infrastructure projects that support economic growth and prosperity for your community and the northern region. 

Economic advocacy priorities

Our community is growing fast. Home to 253,192 residents in 2024, our population is expected to increase almost 60% to 402,191 by 2041.

To keep up with this rapid population growth, we need support from both the State and Federal government.

It is essential we keep the needs of our growing community in mind in all future strategic planning activities, while actively campaigning for the State and Federal government to do the same.

Our key priorities

We rely on all levels of government to help provide the infrastructure and services our community needs. We advocate to the government to fund these priorities.

We are seeking State and Federal government co-investment in 12 key initiatives across five themes:

  • housing
  • community services and infrastructure
  • public transport
  • roads
  • environmental sustainability.

Investment in these areas will create and enhance conditions for economic growth, liveability, and sustainability, benefiting our rapidly expanding and diverse population.

Read the advocacy prospectus for details of our campaigns.

Advocacy Prospectus 2025-29(PDF, 15MB)

Advocacy Prospectus 2025-29 (accessible)(DOCX, 362KB)

We invite the local business community to join us in advocating for key priorities to build our regional economy. Contact our Investment Attraction department for a confidential discussion at invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170. 

Download fact sheets

Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal fact sheet(PDF, 4MB)

Melbourne Food Innovation and Export Hub fact sheet(PDF, 4MB)

Find out more about our advocacy priorities

Development projects

Epping Central Structure Plan review

We adopted the existing Epping Central Structure Plan in 2011. We are currently reviewing the plan to ensure the area continues to grow as a liveable, diverse and thriving activity centre.

We'll complete the review in four stages, with each stage involving community consultation. The review will also ensure the plan aligns with the Whittlesea 2040 goals

Learn about the Epping Central Structure Plan

Find out about community consultation on the review

Thomastown Industrial Area Plan

Thomastown's industrial area has become a sought-after business hub. To build on this success and to facilitate employment growth, we've developed the Thomastown Industrial Area Plan.

This strategic document promotes a long-term vision for Thomastown industrial area. It focuses on actions to inform a range of projects that support our Economic Development Strategy.

Find out more about the Thomastown Industrial Area Plan

Plenty Valley Structure Plan

Plenty Valley Town Centre contains several important business, retail, community and transport activities. These include Westfield Plenty Valley and the South Morang Train Station, which both service the wider region. It is also recognised by the Victorian State Government as an important activity centre.

The Plenty Valley Town Centre Structure Plan is a key project to prepare our vision for the town centre. It provides a framework for the centre's development over the next 20 years.

Find out more about the Plenty Valley Structure Plan

Mernda Town Centre

Mernda Town Centre is a developing major activity centre located at the corner of Plenty and Bridge Inn roads and next to the Mernda Train Station. 

Stage 1 of the development comprising 7,900 m2 for retail floorspace includes a supermarket, specialty retail, food and beverage outlets and an interim library facility.

The development will ultimately offer community facilities including:

  • Whittlesea Community Hospital
  • a library/community centre facility
  • additional retail and commercial development
  • housing
  • public realm improvements including a town square and Mayfield Farm Heritage site.

Read the Mernda Strategy Plan

Cooper Street West

The Cooper Street West employment precinct (including Cooper Street South West and O’Herns Road precincts) present significant opportunities for future industrial investment.

Cooper Street’s role as a state significant waste and resource recovery hub has been identified in the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (SWWRRIP). This precinct will continue service the local community and support initiatives to increase recovery and improved management of waste. Industrial opportunities are also available.

The O’Herns Road Logistics Park provides significant opportunities for industrial development with direct access to the Hume Freeway via the O’Herns Road interchange. Other industrial development opportunities in the precinct exist at 4Ten Epping and 481 Cooper Street.

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