Community interest in junction place

More than 100 community members have attended the first of three online community sessions about the refreshed master plan for the landmark Junction Place precinct in Wodonga.

The session was an opportunity for the community to hear about the refreshed plans and receive a comprehensive briefing about what is in store for Junction Place.

A further two sessions will be held in the next fortnight – giving the community an opportunity to meet directly with Development Victoria and the project’s developer, Central Place, and ask questions, discuss the master plan and give feedback.

“We want to give the community as much information as possible about our plans for Junction Place – and that’s why we’re holding these information sessions,” Geoff Ward, Group Head Precincts at Development Victoria said.

“We encourage the community to attend one of the next two online ‘drop-in’ sessions - where we will and respond directly to community questions now that the background information has been provided.

“The clear message we have received – and taken on board – is the community wants to be heard, and that’s exactly why we encourage all residents to get online and get involved with this exciting project.”

Development Victoria, together with local developer Central Place and development manager Luoda Property, has worked with the City of Wodonga for the past eight months on the refreshed master plan – ensuring it responds to Council’s feedback and planning guidelines for the precinct, which were developed following extensive community consultation.

The application for the retail and liquor licence has been put on hold while Council firstly considers the master plan application, a direct response to a request from the developer and Development Victoria.

“We have listened to the community about their concerns throughout this process – and that’s why we’ve asked Council to consider the master plan application and the retail and liquor application,” Mr Ward said.

“We have been working closely with Council officers on the refreshed master plan and we were very pleased to have the opportunity to brief councillors directly in August.”

Development Victoria and Central Place remain committed to delivering an outstanding development for the community of Wodonga, with the refreshed master plan that will create jobs, stimulate economic growth in the region and deliver a new heart for Wodonga.

Mr Ward said the redevelopment of Junction Place is vitally important for the Wodonga community and the updated vision reflects the original master plan. 

“We are committed to working alongside the developer, Council and the community to deliver the next phase of Junction Place,” he said.

Junction Place is Australia’s largest regional urban renewal project, rejuvenating the historic railway station and yards in central Wodonga to create jobs, enable commercial activation and enhance the economic growth and development of the region.

It is being delivered by Development Victoria, the state government’s urban renewal and property development authority, in partnership with City of Wodonga.

The community is encouraged to register for the next sessions, which will be held on the following dates as online meetings in line with the current Chief Health Officer directions:

• Tuesday 28 September between 5.30pm – 7.30pm 
• Thursday 7 October between 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Community can also provide further feedback via a short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/jpwsurvey