Glen Eira Planning Scheme Kingston Planning Scheme Amendment Gc83
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Planning and Environment Act 1987 GLEN EIRA PLANNING SCHEME KINGSTON PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT GC83 EXPLANATORY REPORT Who is the planning authority? This amendment has been prepared by the Minister for Planning, who is the planning authority for this amendment. The amendment has been made at the request of the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA), an administrative office established under the Public Administration Act 2004 in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR). Land affected by the amendment The amendment applies to the land required for the Balcombe Road, Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project (the project), as shown on the project area maps in the Balcombe Road, Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project Incorporated Document, April 2018 (the project area). The project area is generally located within the immediate vicinity of the Mentone Railway Station, and extends northwards within the rail corridor to Latrobe Street, Cheltenham and southwards within the rail corridor to Argyle Avenue, Chelsea. The project area also includes a section of the rail corridor within Caulfield Junction. The project area includes nearby and surrounding road reserves, and a carriageway easement within private ownership. What the amendment does The amendment inserts the Balcombe Road, Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project Incorporated Document, April 2018 (the incorporated document) into the schedules at Clause 52.03 (Specific Sites and Exclusions) and Clause 81.01 (Documents Incorporated in the Scheme) of the Glen Eira and Kingston Planning Schemes. Strategic assessment of the amendment Why is the amendment required? The amendment is required to facilitate the timely, coordinated and consistent delivery of the project. The project forms part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to remove 50 level crossings on the metropolitan rail network, which will increase road, rail and pedestrian safety and improve public transport facilities and efficiency along the Frankston rail corridor. Thirteen of these level crossings are located on the Frankston rail line. Ten level crossings have been removed across the metropolitan rail network including three on the Frankston rail line. Balcombe Road is a major east-west arterial road that runs from Nepean Highway to Beach Road and traverses the Mentone Major Activity Centre. It connects Mentone to important activity, recreation and employment nodes such as the Cheltenham Major Activity Centre, Southland, Moorabbin Airport, the Moorabbin Industrial Precinct, the Braeside Industrial Precinct, Beaumaris Beach Foreshore Reserve and Melbourne’s south eastern growth corridor. The Balcombe Road level crossing carries approximately 16,000 vehicles per day. To allow trains to pass, the boom gates must operate which causes lengthy delays to vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and bus services attempting to cross the rail line, particularly during the morning and evening peak periods. The amendment will allow the use and development of the land in the project area for the purposes of the project in accordance with the incorporated document. The amendment allows engineering and enabling works necessary to facilitate possible future transit oriented development. Any transit oriented development proposal, beyond the engineering or enabling works, is explicitly excluded from the scope of the project and will require separate planning authorisation in the future should it be pursued. The project includes the following key components: Removal of the level crossing at Balcombe Road, Mentone where it crosses the Frankston rail line. Railway construction and associated works to lower the existing Frankston rail line under Balcombe Road, including, but not limited to, bulk excavation, relocation of existing utilities and installation of new utility infrastructure, earthworks, installation of drainage, decking and retaining walls, replacement of track infrastructure, access tracks, landscaping, vegetation removal and construction of bicycle and pedestrian shared user paths. Road construction and associated works including construction of a road bridge over the rail line at Balcombe Road and associated works including alterations to road access arrangements. Partial relocation and reuse of the existing railway station buildings and development of a new railway station, including the sale of food, drink and other convenience goods and services, decking, car parking, bicycle facilities, landscaping and other public realm improvements, and loading and unloading facilities. Provision of pedestrian access and shared bicycle user paths, including the construction of pedestrian bridges over the railway line. Associated rail infrastructure, power upgrades and overhead infrastructure, cabling, signalling and construction of a signal control room. Engineering and enabling works necessary to facilitate a possible future transit oriented development. Ancillary activities, preparatory and enabling works. How does the amendment implement the objectives of planning in Victoria? The amendment implements the objectives of planning in Victoria as set out in section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in the following ways: a) To provide for the fair, orderly, economic and sustainable use, and development of land. The amendment facilitates a project that will reduce congestion, contribute to a more reliable road and rail system and improves safety and local connectivity for road users, pedestrians and cyclists. b) To provide for the protection of natural and man-mad resources and the maintenance of ecological processes and genetic diversity. The project will impact limited areas of native vegetation within the project area. The design of the project works will minimise impacts to native vegetation and offsets will be provided in accordance with the Permitted clearing of native vegetation – Biodiversity assessment guidelines (Department of Environment and Primary Industries, September 2013), except as otherwise agreed by the Secretary to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The incorporated document requires the preparation and approval of an Environmental Management Strategy (EMS), which will include key construction methodologies, as well as an overarching framework for site or works specific measure to reduce and mange environmental and amenity effects during construction of the project. The EMS will be prepared to the satisfaction of the Minister for Planning, in consultation with the Glen Eira and Kingston City Councils. c) To ensure pleasant, efficient and safe working, living and recreational environment for all Victorians and visitors to Victoria. The amendment will facilitate a project that will contribute to a more efficient use of existing infrastructure by improving the reliability and capacity of the passenger and freight rail network as well as improving the safety and efficiency of the road and rail network. The project will eliminate conflict between trains, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians by lowering the existing Frankston rail under Balcombe Road. The redeveloped Mentone Railway Station will upgrade existing public transport facilities and improve connectivity along and across the rail corridor. The design of the project will respond to the local surrounds and will enhance the living and working environment for nearby communities by improving connectivity between surrounding areas. d) To conserve and enhance those buildings, areas or other places which are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value. The project will undertake works within two locations listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The project will redevelop the Mentone Railway Station and Gardens, listed as VHR H2099, and will undertake railway upgrade works to existing signalling equipment within Caulfield Railway Station Complex, listed as VHR H1665. Works within these two sites will be managed in accordance with the Heritage Act 2017. The project area also includes land within Heritage Overlays that recognise sites of local heritage significance. These sites are Chelsea Clock Tower (Kingston HO28), Chelsea Station and Signal Box (Kingston HO31); Mordialloc Railway Water Tower (Kingston HO92), Mordialloc Railway Station (Kingston HO91) and Railway Electricity Station (Kingston HO101). Proposed works within these overlays include railway infrastructure upgrades to existing signalling, communication and electrical equipment. Where works within the overlay would normally require a planning permit, site plans, elevations and other documentation will be prepared to the satisfaction of the Minister of Planning to ensure that the identified heritage values have been appropriately considered and managed. Aboriginal cultural heritage will be managed in accordance with the approved Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. e) To protect public utilities and other assets and enable the orderly provision and coordination of public utilities and other facilities for the benefits of the community. The incorporated document provides for a single integrated approval that will ensure the orderly and coordinated provision of public transport infrastructure and facilities for the benefit of the community. The project will result in improvements to road and rail infrastructure and will ensure that existing utilities are adequately protected, relocated and upgraded where necessary.