An assessment the residential character of established areas in the municipality was undertaken as input to identifying the future residential Change Areas. An overview of this analysis is provided below. Refer to the Background Report – Analysis and Issues Assessment (March, 2014) for a more detailed Residential Character Assessment of the established residential areas. Melton Settlement Overview The Melton Township was first settled by squatters in the 1830s with the settlement benefiting from through traffic to the Ballarat goldfields during the Victorian Gold Rush in the 1850s. Melton was declared a ‘satellite city’ in 1974, which at the time lead to major residential development and has significantly influenced the Township’s current urban form. The development of Melton has occurred in a number of waves, which is evidenced by the progressive outward expansion of the Township over a number of eras, from its original settlement in the mid-1800s. Early development of the Township occurred organically, with later major growth in the 1970s and 1980s being driven by the declaration of Melton as a satellite city. Melton continued to expand around the original Township core between the early 1990s to early 2000s, and this pattern has continued with recent residential development generally located on the outer edges of the Township. Overall, Melton Township has a fairly consistent residential character despite these gradual changes over time from the inner Township to the outer edges. Subdivision patterns throughout Melton are relatively consistent in size, with typical lots ranging between in the standard residential areas, with the exception of the larger lots which exceed 2,000m2. Street patterns vary significantly between grid arrangements to curvilinear cul-de-sac arrangements, and these patterns have an impact on the consistency of setbacks, lot sizes and shapes, and building siting. Vegetation type and scale in Melton Township is also a considerable distinguishing feature due to significant variation. Generally, the more established areas in the inner Township consist of scattered but well-established canopy vegetation, bleeding out to dispersed shrub vegetation in the inner ring of residential development, to minimal or consistent immature landscaping in the estates on the fringes of Melton Township. Caroline Springs, Hillside, and Taylors Hill Settlement Overview The combined residential suburbs of Caroline Springs, Hillside and Taylors Hill form the current extent of residential development located on the eastern edge of the City of Melton. These specific areas form the westward continuation of urban development located within the Brimbank municipality, which is located immediately to the east of Melton.
An assessment the residential character of established areas in the municipality was undertaken as input to identifying the future residential Change Areas. An overview of this analysis is provided below. Refer to the Background Report – Analysis and Issues Assessment (March, 2014) for a more detailed Residential Character Assessment of the established residential areas. Melton Settlement Overview The Melton Township was first settled by squatters in the 1830s with the settlement benefiting from through traffic to the Ballarat goldfields during the Victorian Gold Rush in the 1850s. Melton was declared a ‘satellite city’ in 1974, which at the time lead to major residential development and has significantly influenced the Township’s current urban form. The development of Melton has occurred in a number of waves, which is evidenced by the progressive outward expansion of the Township over a number of eras, from its original settlement in the mid-1800s. Early development of the Township occurred organically, with later major growth in the 1970s and 1980s being driven by the declaration of Melton as a satellite city. Melton continued to expand around the original Township core between the early 1990s to early 2000s, and this pattern has continued with recent residential development generally located on the outer edges of the Township. Overall, Melton Township has a fairly consistent residential character despite these gradual changes over time from the inner Township to the outer edges. Subdivision patterns throughout Melton are relatively consistent in size, with typical lots ranging between in the standard residential areas, with the exception of the larger lots which exceed 2,000m2. Street patterns vary significantly between grid arrangements to curvilinear cul-de-sac arrangements, and these patterns have an impact on the consistency of setbacks, lot sizes and shapes, and building siting. Vegetation type and scale in Melton Township is also a considerable distinguishing feature due to significant variation. Generally, the more established areas in the inner Township consist of scattered but well-established canopy vegetation, bleeding out to dispersed shrub vegetation in the inner ring of residential development, to minimal or consistent immature landscaping in the estates on the fringes of Melton Township. Caroline Springs, Hillside, and Taylors Hill Settlement Overview The combined residential suburbs of Caroline Springs, Hillside and Taylors Hill form the current extent of residential development located on the eastern edge of the City of Melton. These specific areas form the westward continuation of urban development located within the Brimbank municipality, which is located immediately to the east of Melton.
house_smart_-_melton_housing_diversity_strategy_-_adopted.docx