It will work with MGS Architecture, Buchan Consulting and Strategic Economic Consulting Group to carry out the two-part strategic study to define the infrastructure development strategy for Melbourne’s north and to capitalise on the region’s potential.
The study is a first for Melbourne’s northern region and has been commissioned in partnership between North Link, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Melbourne, La Trobe University and the eight local governments of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Mitchell, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra.
Melbourne’s northern region has a population of more than one million and generates over 13% of Victoria’s total economic production. The first stage will quantify existing gaps in social, transport, utility, economic and environmental services in order to produce an ‘infrastructure report card’ and incorporate development priorities over the next five to 10 years.
The second stage will identify infrastructure requirements and actions necessary over a 10 to 50 year timeframe and will consider innovative funding approaches across both public and private investment mechanisms.
“The Melbourne’s Northern Region Infrastructure Report Card is a strategic piece that plays to Arup’s strengths in engineering, but also draws in our expertise in areas such as policy development and foresight and innovation,” said associate Rob Turk. “The project is exciting as it enables us to bring together the many strands of thought leadership around the future of cities in general, and more specifically a significant region in metropolitan Melbourne.”
The project team will consult widely with key social, transport, utility, economic and environmental stakeholders.
"This project will identify regional requirements to fully realise the region’s potential to contribute to the Australian economy through better infrastructure,” said North Link Executive Director Mick Butera. “We are pleased to announce the appointment of leading engineering consultancy, Arup, who in partnership with specialists in economics, urban design and stakeholder consultation will complete this most important study of current and future infrastructure requirements in Melbourne’s north.”
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