Media response - future of Clayton
Published on 13 January 2024
Approach from The Age
No specific questions, journalist asked for a statement for an article on the future of the Monash technology precinct area with a focus on demographics and impact of the rezoning related to Suburban Rail Loop.
Response
At the last census, the Monash population grew to over 50% of people born overseas and I’m incredibly proud to be one of them. My journey in Monash started as young child when my family moved here from China. I grew up here, went to school here, and now live and work here.
Many people come to Monash because of our proximity to the CBD and our incredible education and employment opportunities. We are home to the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster in Clayton, which has the largest concentration of jobs outside of the CBD, supported by world class enterprises, including Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Children’s Hospital, the Victorian Heart Hospital, CSIRO, and the Australian Synchrotron. There is significant investment driving the growth of knowledge and technology industries in the Cluster such as the soon to be completed Moderna Vaccine Facility. The SRL will better connect this area and Glen Waverley to the rest of Melbourne, which will be an incredible legacy of the project.
Based on the Draft Precinct Visions recently released by the Victorian Government, the SRL will also create additional opportunities for people to live here, and it is crucial that we get the neighbourhoods to support this growth right.
Like other Councils around the SRL, we need to know more about the Victorian Government’s plans for the community infrastructure that an increase in population will bring like maternal and child health facilities, open space, kindergartens, and the services required to welcome and support a multicultural community. Monash has the lowest rates of any municipality, which means we need genuine conversations with the Victorian Government about investing in the community infrastructure to support the population growth the proposed development of neighbourhoods around the SRL stations.
Council supports the SRL, and will respond soon to the Draft Precinct Visions, but our previously expressed reservations about the precinct planning process remain. In particular, the provision of planning powers to the SRLA, the size and intensity of development and impacts on existing neighbourhoods.
Issued: 11 January
To: The Age
Quoting: Mayor Cr Nicky Luo