Doncaster Hill
Encyclopedia
Doncaster Hill is one of the highest points in the metropolitan area of Melbourne
, Australia
. Located in the suburb of Doncaster
, it is 120 metres above sea level and has uninterrupted views of the city, Port Phillip
, Macedon Ranges
, the You Yang Ranges
and Dandenong Ranges
. The hill experienced extensive low-density urban development during the 1960s and 70s, consisting of typical detached suburban dwellings.
The surrounding transport infrastructure is heavily reliant on private automobiles. The City of Manningham
has enacted policies to encourage high-density development atop the hill, however it lacks a holistic policy and incentives scheme to properly encourage sustainable urban development and transit-oriented development
. As a result, the housing available is generally marketed to higher income earners and are of low practical quality.
for the area. The 58 hectare precinct identified by the strategy is located 12 kilometres from Melbourne's
central business district. It is situated close to main arterial roads, including the Eastern Freeway, but is poorly serviced by public transport, with access to only buses.
The strategy
aims to create an urban village
which reduces urban sprawl
that would otherwise place pressure on natural environments in the green wedges to the precinct's east. The proposal includes both residential and commercial developments. Streetscapes, parks, transport and planning schemes are all being improved and amended as part of the proposal.
Current developments in the area include the Westfield Doncaster
shopping centre as well as a number of medium-density residential buildings. A number of projects have already begun on Doncaster Hill, which has so far been limited to medium-density residential towers and flats. Investors are shying away from committing to a proposal that does not include upgraded public transport and car-free precincts, which is slowing the current progress of development.
Many investors want to undertake developments like that of Council House 2
in Melbourne
's CBD
and argue that the Manningham City council's proposal for the Doncaster Hill precinct is dated and should focus more on sustainability to entice investors.
Retain Eastern At Doncaster (READ) group attempted to present the alternative to relocation which would keep The Eastern Golf Club in its location at Doncaster. Neighbourhood gatherings to show support to the members were held, Local Government and expert consultation was made and support gained especially from Manningham City Council, MP Mary Wooldridge and Councillors. Provision for water was explored and planned for - water was the significant resource needed to build a sustainable future for the club.
For information regarding the alternative to relocation, also discussion & support messages. http://easternsupport.bravehost.com/index.html
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Located in the suburb of Doncaster
Doncaster, Victoria
Doncaster is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Manningham. At the 2006 Census, Doncaster had a population of 17,879....
, it is 120 metres above sea level and has uninterrupted views of the city, Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
, Macedon Ranges
Mount Macedon, Victoria
Mount Macedon is a small town located northwest of Melbourne in the Australian state of Victoria. It is situated on the side of the mountain of the same name, known as Geboor by the indigenous Wurundjeri people, which rises to above sea level. At the 2006 census, Mount Macedon had a population...
, the You Yang Ranges
You Yangs
The You Yangs are a series of granite ridges that rise to 364m above the Werribee Plain approximately 55km south west of Melbourne and 22km north east of Geelong, in Victoria, Australia. The main ridge runs roughly N-S for about 9 km, with a lower extension running for about 15 km to the west...
and Dandenong Ranges
Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are a set of low mountain ranges, rising to 633 metres at Mount Dandenong, approximately 35 km east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. The hill experienced extensive low-density urban development during the 1960s and 70s, consisting of typical detached suburban dwellings.
The surrounding transport infrastructure is heavily reliant on private automobiles. The City of Manningham
City of Manningham
The City of Manningham is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the northeastern suburbs of Melbourne. The total population is 118,544 , divided up into 10 suburbs, the largest being Doncaster and Templestowe, over an area of 113 square kilometres.The district spans a...
has enacted policies to encourage high-density development atop the hill, however it lacks a holistic policy and incentives scheme to properly encourage sustainable urban development and transit-oriented development
Transit-oriented development
A transit-oriented development is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership...
. As a result, the housing available is generally marketed to higher income earners and are of low practical quality.
Government Planning Strategies
The Doncaster Hill Precinct strategy is a 20 year, A$2 billion proposal created by the City of ManninghamCity of Manningham
The City of Manningham is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the northeastern suburbs of Melbourne. The total population is 118,544 , divided up into 10 suburbs, the largest being Doncaster and Templestowe, over an area of 113 square kilometres.The district spans a...
for the area. The 58 hectare precinct identified by the strategy is located 12 kilometres from Melbourne's
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
central business district. It is situated close to main arterial roads, including the Eastern Freeway, but is poorly serviced by public transport, with access to only buses.
The strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
aims to create an urban village
Urban village
An urban village is an urban planning and urban design concept. It refers to an urban form typically characterized by:* Medium density development* Mixed use zoning* The provision of good public transit...
which reduces urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
that would otherwise place pressure on natural environments in the green wedges to the precinct's east. The proposal includes both residential and commercial developments. Streetscapes, parks, transport and planning schemes are all being improved and amended as part of the proposal.
Current developments in the area include the Westfield Doncaster
Westfield Doncaster
Westfield Doncaster is a shopping centre 50% owned by the Westfield Group and 50% owned by LaSalle Investment Management located in Doncaster, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
shopping centre as well as a number of medium-density residential buildings. A number of projects have already begun on Doncaster Hill, which has so far been limited to medium-density residential towers and flats. Investors are shying away from committing to a proposal that does not include upgraded public transport and car-free precincts, which is slowing the current progress of development.
Many investors want to undertake developments like that of Council House 2
Council House 2
Council House 2 , is an office building located at 240 Little Collins Street in the CBD, in Melbourne, Australia. It is occupied by the City of Melbourne council, and in April, 2005, became the first purpose-built office building in Australia to achieve a maximum Six Green Star rating, certified by...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
's CBD
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
and argue that the Manningham City council's proposal for the Doncaster Hill precinct is dated and should focus more on sustainability to entice investors.
Eastern Golf Club
Slightly down the hill towards the city is the Eastern Golf Club, a golf course which has been proposed to be sold. Although three preservation groups advocate rezoning the land to prevent any redevelopment, if the sale goes through it could be used to construct a medium-density sustainable urban precinct treating its own waste, collecting its own water and generating its own electricity. Many suggest coupling this potential sustainable land development with the doncaster hill precinct to create one of the largest car-free areas in the world in an existing urban environment. However, this is unlikely as it would require large political support.Retain Eastern At Doncaster (READ) group attempted to present the alternative to relocation which would keep The Eastern Golf Club in its location at Doncaster. Neighbourhood gatherings to show support to the members were held, Local Government and expert consultation was made and support gained especially from Manningham City Council, MP Mary Wooldridge and Councillors. Provision for water was explored and planned for - water was the significant resource needed to build a sustainable future for the club.
For information regarding the alternative to relocation, also discussion & support messages. http://easternsupport.bravehost.com/index.html