Draft East Albury Precinct Plan released for community feedback

The draft plan provides a long-term vision for the neighbourhood in the north-west part of East Albury, with a focus on more local shops and services, safer transport connections, greater housing diversity, and better open space and community infrastructure over coming decades.

Developed over three years with input from more than 300 stakeholders and consultation with the NSW Government, the draft plan responds to anticipated growth and NSW Government investment while identifying ways to improve the surrounding neighbourhood over time.

Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said the draft plan did not change Council's long-standing advocacy for a fully funded, new single-site hospital for the Albury-Wodonga region.

"Council's advocacy for the best possible healthcare outcome for our region remains unchanged," Mayor Mack said.

"At the same time, we have a responsibility to plan for East Albury, regardless of where future hospital services are ultimately located.”

The draft plan provides a coordinated strategic framework to guide future planning and help ensure growth reflects community priorities.

"We know people have strong views about issues such as pedestrian safety, traffic, parking, open space and how the precinct functions day to day. This is an opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to tell us what's important as we plan for East Albury's future and continue advocating to the NSW Government.

"The draft plan provides a coordinated framework to help guide future development and reflect community priorities. It also strengthens Council's ability to influence decisions made by the NSW Government and other landowners."

Key elements of the draft plan include:

• Expanding the Local Centre to support employment, services and community activity
• Improving walking, cycling, public transport and road connections throughout the precinct
• Enhancing open spaces and recreation opportunities
• Encouraging a broader mix of infill housing to meet future community needs
• Delivering a Master Plan to guide the renewal of the Eastern Circuit neighbourhood.

The draft plan includes a staged delivery strategy extending over several decades. It does not commit Council to immediate capital expenditure, with implementation occurring over time as opportunities arise and in partnership with developers and the NSW Government. The development of the plan has been jointly funded by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, HomesNSW and AlburyCity.

Many of the major infrastructure projects identified in the draft plan, including social housing renewal, Borella Road intersection upgrades and works associated with the hospital campus, rely on planning, funding and delivery decisions by the NSW Government.

The draft plan provides an important basis for Council to advocate for investment in the infrastructure needed to deliver on community priorities.

The draft East Albury Precinct Plan will be available for public exhibition until 31 August through the Engaging Albury website. Community feedback will help inform the final plan before it’s presented to Council for consideration.