Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan

Amendment C234 to the Cardinia Planning Scheme

The Pakenham East Structure Plan and Native Vegetation Precinct Plan was approved by the Minister for Planning in December 2020 and gazetted on 21 January 2021 under Amendment C234 and the Cardinia Planning Scheme.

To view a copy of the final amendment documentation, including the Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan, refer to:

The amendment also introduces the Small Lot Housing Code  2019 (PDF) to the Cardinia Planning Scheme which facilitates a greater diversity of housing by providing for more streamlined development of compact housing on lots less than 300 square metres.

About the Precinct Structure Plan

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) in consultation with Cardinia Shire Council and government agencies, has prepared this PSP to guide new urban development within the Pakenham East PSP area.

The Pakenham East PSP covers an area of 630 hectares and is bounded by Princes Freeway to the south, Ryan Road and Deep Creek to the East and the Urban Growth Boundary to the north and east.

This new community will have 22% open space, including fourteen parks, two sports reserves, three government schools and one non-government school, three integrated community centres with kindergartens and Maternal and Child health, one local town centre and a local convenience centre. It will include the gradual development of 7,229 homes and 1,436 jobs.

Deep Creek will be protected by a drainage reserve of up to 100 metres in width and will also protect the native vegetation that is present within this area.

The precinct includes a comprehensive network of bicycle and shared paths including cycle links to the recently announced Pakenham East Station, which will sit just outside the precinct to the south-west,  as well as the existing Pakenham Station, which will be upgraded as part of the Cranbourne-Pakenham Line Level Crossing Removal Project.  For more information on the level crossing removals and train station proposals, refer to Level Crossing Removal Project.

Amendment C251 to the Cardinia Planning Scheme

The Pakenham East Infrastructure Contributions Plan was gazetted on 21 January 2021 under Amendment C251 to the Cardinia Planning Scheme.

To view a copy of the final amendment documentation, including the Pakenham East Infrastructure Contributions Plan, refer to:

About the Infrastructure Contributions Plan

An Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) is the primary method for local councils to collect funds to contribute towards the basic and essential local infrastructure new suburbs require.

The type and location of the local infrastructure, including public land, has been identified in the Pakenham East PSP.

Together, the Pakenham East PSP and ICP will guide and deliver new urban development in the area.

Note: The future name of the suburb is still to be determined by Council in conjunction with Geographic Names Victoria.

Interactive map of the Pakenham East PSP

Background information

A Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is a land use and infrastructure plan to guide the development of an area over time. It provides certainty for community members and developers by providing a long-term vision for how an area will develop in the future. 

A PSP sets out the preferred locations of residential and employment land and infrastructure, and provides guidance for transport and parking, urban design, heritage and character, open spaces and integrated water management. 

Together with the broader planning framework, precinct structure planning is an important part of the Victorian Government’s strategy to address population growth, housing and employment demands. 

A NVPP provides for the strategic management of native vegetation for a defined area or precinct. A NVPP identifies the native vegetation that can be removed and the vegetation to be protected, based on the conservation significance and land protection role of the vegetation and the broader strategic planning objectives for the precinct.

Yes, this is within Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary. The land is currently zoned Farming Zone and as a result this PSP seeks to rezone much of the land. This land was introduced to the Urban Growth Boundary as part of the logical inclusions process in 2012. The Pakenham East precinct is the natural progression of the existing Pakenham township.

Project information

The draft plan applies to 630 hectares of land bounded by green wedge land to the north, Mt Ararat Road to the east, the Princes Freeway to the south and Ryan Road and Deep Creek to the west.

The vision is for a sustainable, peaceful community with plenty of open space, well-connected streets, future schools and a local town centre. It will complement Pakenham, with an extensive network of cycling paths, public transport and pedestrian links to central Pakenham.

The main features proposed by the PSP are:

  • 7,100 dwellings
  • 1,300 jobs
  • 43 hectares of open space comprised of local parks and sports reserves
  • One local town centre
  • Two local sports reserves
  • Two government primary schools
  • Government secondary school
  • Non-government primary school
  • A range of parks and waterways.

There will be 1,300 jobs based in the precinct, and a new train depot is being built just south of the precinct. The depot will eventually house maintenance facilities for the fleet of new trains, a stabling yard for 30 trains, and a high-tech driver-training simulator.

Furthermore, jobs have been growing steadily throughout the wider Cardinia area. Recent census data shows that between 2011–2016 there were an additional 6569 jobs created in Cardinia, providing ample opportunities for residents to work locally. Major centres in the municipality include central Pakenham, Emerald and Koo-Wee-Rup.

16.5 dwellings per hectare.

Pakenham Train Station is 4km from the precinct.

 

How will the community and local businesses be affected?

Deep Creek will be protected by a drainage reserve of up to 100m in width to manage drainage and protect vegetation and water quality.

Why is this work happening?

Melbourne’s population is growing, and key Victorian Government planning policies, including Plan Melbourne and Homes for Victorians, acknowledge the importance of increasing housing options and affordability.

This PSP is part of the Victorian Government’s 100,000 lots programs, which commits to unlocking land for an additional 100,000 lots in Melbourne’s growth areas by the end of 2018. By creating new communities in our greenfields, we will boost supply and keep housing prices in check.

Infrastructure Contributions

The Pakenham East Infrastructure Contributions Plan will ensure developers contribute towards the cost of community and state infrastructure. This will be incorporated into the Cardinia Planning Scheme via separate Amendment.

Future changes

Yes, the Amendment does propose to rezone some land. Land East of Deep Creek from Farming Zone to Urban Growth Zone Schedule 5 and land between Deep Creek and Ryan Road from Low Density Residential Zone Schedule 2 to Urban Growth Zone Schedule 5.

The PSP will create a self-contained community with local retail, education, community, health and recreation services. The PSP will also deliver access from local roads onto the Princess Highway, and pedestrian and cycle links along the Princes Highway to Pakenham and to Pakenham train station along the existing Pakenham rail corridor.

Miscellaneous

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and Cardinia Shire Council have prepared the draft Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan, to guide new urban development and reserve land for key infrastructure within the precinct.

Alongside the PSP, a native vegetation precinct plan is also being exhibited. A draft PSP is now being exhibited for community feedback. The draft plan proposes new homes and jobs, local parks, community uses and key infrastructure. Once approved, the Cardinia Planning Scheme will be amended to incorporate the final PSP.

Supporting Documentation

Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan - July 2020 - Approved and Gazetted
Pakenham East Precinct Structure Plan - July 2020 - Approved and Gazetted PDF  Version
Pakenham East Infrastructure Contributions Plan - July 2020 - Approved and Gazetted
Pakenham East Infrastructure Contributions Plan - July 2020 - Approved and Gazetted PDF  Version
Pakenham East PSP - Pakenham East Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (Ecology and Heritage Partners) October 2018 - Approved and Gazetted
Pakenham East PSP - Pakenham East Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (Ecology and Heritage Partners) October 2018 - Approved and Gazetted PDF  Version
Small Lot Housing Code - November 2019 - Approved and Gazetted
Small Lot Housing Code - November 2019 - Approved and Gazetted PDF  Version
Pakenham East newsletter - January 2017
Pakenham East newsletter - January 2017 PDF  Version
Pakenham East ICP handout - January 2017
Pakenham East ICP handout - January 2017 PDF  Version
Have Your Say - Pakenham East submission writing
Have Your Say - Pakenham East submission writing DOCX  Version
Pakenham East (C234) - Panel directions
Pakenham East (C234) - Panel directions PDF  Version
C234 - Expert evidence index - October 2018
C234 - Expert evidence index - October 2018 DOCX  Version
Submission 28 - Part 2_Redacted
Submission 28 - Part 2_Redacted PDF  Version