By Kyra Gillespie
New plans promise to breathe life into Officer’s currently desolate Siding Avenue.
The proposed 1.306 hectare site to the east of Siding Avenue – which is currently vacant – would accommodate 34 two-storey dwellings, a supermarket, 11 shops, medical centres, offices and a gymnasium.
A total of 91 on site car-parking spaces are proposed for the commercial component with 75 on site car-parking spaces for the residential component.
Total estimated jobs in the precinct are just over 5,000.
The proposed commercial and residential developments by applicants Officer Retail Pty Ltd and Spiire Australia Pty Ltd elicited excitement among councillors at their meeting in March.
“I’m excited to see the activation of Siding Avenue,” Cr Brett Owen said.
“We’re all alone out here in our Civic Centre, and hope to one day be the town centre of Officer.”
Cr Leticia Wilmot praised the allocation of two car parks per dwelling, saying it catered “for two car families”, while Cr Graeme Moore added that as it stands, Siding Avenue is a like a “desert.”
Council say the Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is a broad level plan which provides the future urban structure for Officer as it undergoes significant population growth.
The site in question is located to the east of Siding Avenue between the Pakenham Railway line to the north and Bridge Road to the south, within the Officer Town Centre.
The land is boarded to the north by proposed Stroud Road, bordered to the east by proposed Coxon Street and bordered to the south by proposed Piggott Street.
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is currently undertaking a review of parts of the Officer Precinct Structure Plan.
The VPA and Council will host two drop-in information sessions at Cardinia Shire Council offices about the revised Officer PSP and the Amendment on Tuesday 17 April at 5.30pm to 7pm, and Thursday 19 April from 4.30pm to 6pm.
Any person may make a submission on the revised plan in writing to the Victorian Planning Authority and send it by post or email.
Submissions must be received by 5pm, Friday 27 April 2018.
For more information, phone 9651 9600.
