THE growth of Cloverton has emerged alongside Donnybrook Road as a key election area, with the Liberals and Nationals announcing if elected, the planning and development of the Cloverton Metropolitan Activity Centre would be prioritised alongside the duplication of Donnybrook Road.
With 380,000 people expected to call the surrounding area, which includes Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Beveridge and Wallan home, the area has been highly prioritised by the Hume City Council, Mitchell Shire Council and City of Whittlesea.
If elected, the Liberals and Nationals say it will work closely with the councils to support the delivery, planning and development of Cloverton.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, David Southwick, said the work put into Cloverton needed to be rewarded.
“Victoria desperately needs more homes, and we need a government that is prepared to work with local councils to get them built,” he said.
“Cloverton is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the housing, jobs and services that Melbourne’s growing north will need for decades to come.
“These councils have done the hard work, and a Liberal and Nationals Government will always back councils that are prepared to plan for growth.
“Our housing plan will put local voices back at the centre of planning and ensure that state and local government work together to unlock new homes in the communities that need them.”
Member for the Northern Metropolitan Region, Evan Mulholland, said the ‘extraordinary’ growth meant action had to be taken.
“Melbourne’s north is growing at an extraordinary rate, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to make their homes in Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Beveridge and Wallan,” he said.
“We cannot afford to repeat Labor’s mistakes here in the north, where new suburbs have been built without the roads, public transport, schools and services that families need.
“Our commitment to duplicate Donnybrook Road from Epping Road to the Hume is part of our plan to get the outer north moving and deliver the housing and services Labor has utterly failed to do over the last 12 years.
“Cloverton is an opportunity to get the planning right from the outset, creating a genuine centre for jobs, services and investment in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor.
“A Liberal and Nationals Government will prioritise Cloverton because families moving into Melbourne’s north deserve properly planned, connected communities with the infrastructure and opportunities to get ahead.”
This comes after a previous commitment to duplicate Donnybrook Road in its entirety, with $524 million committed to the project.
Late last week, however, the commitment was brought under the microscope by State Treasurer Colin Brooks, releasing a 60-page dossier saying the project isn’t possible for that cost.
“The Liberals claim their commitment of $524 million will duplicate all eight kilometres of Donnybrook Road,” the dossier reads.
“It will cost $650 million just to duplicate from Dwyer Street to Langley Drive.
“At a cost of $200 million per kilometre of duplication, their money will not get anywhere near duplicating the remainder of Donnybrook Road from Langley Drive (Donnybrook) to Epping Road (Woodstock), not to mention removing the level crossing at Donnybrook Station.
“Another road to nowhere from the Liberals, lying to voters in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs.”