Council wants government to reject 'ugly, out-of-date' town centre plan
The City of Whittlesea has slammed the updated plan for a town centre next to Mernda train station, with one councillor describing it as a "glorified drive-through".
Whittlesea council has criticized an updated town centre plan in Mernda, describing it as overly car-centric and unappealing. The council claims the proposed 1,450 homes are insufficient, with potential for 777 to 1,450 dwellings on the 24-hectare site. The plan includes buildings up to 10 stories tall, featuring retail, public spaces, and housing, but council officers argue it prioritizes car use over pedestrian-friendly design.
Councillor Jarrod Lappin called the proposal "isolated, car-centric, a glorified drive-through," while RMIT professor Jago Dodson described it as "ugly and inefficient." The developer, Dorman Capital, rejects the council's characterization of the project and maintains it is economically viable today.
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