By Mikayla van Loon
A 20 year vision for Lilydale has been released to the community in the form of a draft structure plan, ready for feedback and discussion.
Since consulting with the public in July and August last year, Yarra Ranges Council has been preparing a tangible version of the community informed place plan.
Councillor Sophie Todorov said at the 14 December that the structure plan is based on those foundations but includes solutions to achieving the things people would like to see in town.
“So much work has gone into it and I do thank council staff and the community for their immense work on this project,” she said.
Projects like the Level Crossing Removal, the quarry redevelopment and the revitalisation project were named as things the council needed to integrate into the future design, usability and accessibility of Lilydale.
“It will also strengthen our vision for livable places and having a more connected community,” Cr Todorov said.
“This plan focuses on key improvement areas such as traffic and transport infrastructure, also new centres for the community such as our community hub, supporting our growing township and creating inviting spaces and streets.”
Perhaps one of the most important amendments to the structure plan was the inclusion of a heritage overlay for Lilydale’s historic buildings.
“It does also encompass a proposed planning scheme amendment to apply a heritage overlay to protect existing buildings and to protect the history of Lilydale, which I feel is very important,” Cr Todorov said.
Changes to the planning scheme are also noted in the plan for land use and zoning, as well as advocacy for a Lilydale bypass project and making Lilydale a centre for a health, justice and retail precinct.
Cr Todorov said the plan aims to take in the character of Lilydale, while keeping in line with the environment and sustainability of the area.
Councillor Tim Heenan said there was no real plan in place for Lilydale prior to this structure plan being drafted.
“This is now out for public consultation and it’s going to stay out there for a fair while,” he said.
“We know there may be things that need to be tweaked, we do want to look after all the different elements of what Lilydale means to people and as a major activity centre, it’s a fairly important piece of our real estate in the Yarra Ranges Council as councillors would know and it’s important that we have a plan and certainly a 20 year plan.”
The motion to put the draft plan out for consultation was approved unanimously. Residents, local traders and others are invited to read and comment on the Draft Structure Plan until February.
