MELBOURNE City Council will this week consider a new Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) as part of its review of the planning scheme. Councillors will consider the plan at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday 13 April.

The city's original MSS was introduced as part of the planning scheme in 1999 and reviewed in 2004. The Council states that a new MSS is required due to changes that have occurred since that time. These include changed demographic, economic, social and environmental landscapes; the Victorian Government's new strategic directions including Melbourne @ 5 Million and The Victorian Transport Plan; and a number of new strategic policies relevant to the use and development as part of the Future Melbourne Community Plan (2009).

Future Melbourne Committee (Planning) Chair, Cr Peter Clarke, said "we are planning now for the development of our city over the next 20 years and the MSS demonstrates the approach we are taking to secure that vision for Melbourne. The MSS is about well-designed urban renewal, using land efficiently and effectively, about making this city a better place to live for years to come."

Cr Clarke said that while change will occur in some parts of the city, he said that substantial change will happen only in specifically targeted areas. "Other parts, like heritage-protected residential areas are expected to remain relatively stable," Cr Clarke said.

Future key development sites identified in the MSS include the City North, Southbank, Kensington. West Melbourne, E-Gate and Docklands precincts.

The draft MSS will consist of key directions including the following:

• New development will be focused in areas of the city that are degraded and underutilised. The MSS will define three types of areas in the city as Stable Areas, Ongoing Change Areas and Urban Renewal Areas in order to outline the growth and change that is expected;
• Recognition of the substantial transport proposals for that will affect the City of Melbourne, including the Melbourne Metro rail line, the Regional Rail Link, the East Link Westgate Bridge Alternative and the Melbourne Metropolitan Freight Terminal;
• An emphasis on the importance of good design and coordination with the public realm;
• Providing for all types of uses in high density mixed-use areas of the city, in line with the Council's 24 Hour City Policy; and
• Providing a framework for the city that is energy efficient, low carbon and adapted against the impacts of climate change.

Most of the CBD is designated as an Ongoing Change Area. Southbank, the CUB site, Docklands and North City are identified as Urban Renewal Areas, to be developed over the next five to 10 years. Also identified as Urban Renewal Areas are E-Gate, Kensington, North Melbourne, Dynon, Racecourse Rail Corridor and Jolimont Rail Corridor with Melbourne City Council indicating a longer term development timeframe beginning from 2015 to 2025.

The Future Melbourne Committee will vote this Tuesday 13 April to endorse the draft Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) as a proposed amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme before it is submitted to Minister Madden for his authorisation to exhibit it for public consultation.