INDUSTRIAL LAND USE STRATEGY - City of Darebin

6.2.2 Impact on Surrounding UsesIf the site is part of a larger industrial precinct, how will the rezoning proposal affect thefuture viability of that precinct?Viability of the Industrial PrecinctWill the proposed new residential development hide theother economic activities from main roads?Will the entry to the industrial precinct be masked orimpeded?Will there be conflicts between residential/non-industrialand industrial traffic?Will the new residents be affected by noise or other off-siteeffects from existing industrial occupiers?YesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoIf it seems likely that the proposal will seriously affect the viability of other significanteconomic activities, it should be refused. If a substantial part of the precinct is old andunder-performing, a further option for the prospective developer could be to purchasesufficient land in the precinct to create a self-contained residential development thatwould not adversely affect the remaining economic activities. Piecemeal residentialdevelopment should not be allowed to fragment coherent economic activity areas.Council should have a consistent policy of protecting large industrial and employmentprecincts from residential encroachment. Industrial areas will only continue to functioneffectively if they are unconstrained by housing. The larger industrial precincts to beretained as economic activity areas are the Core Industrial and Employment Areasof:• Reservoir• East Preston• Fairfield/AlphingtonOn the other hand, some smaller industrial precincts are well placed to evolve into anew style of business area, which can include housing as part of a dynamic mix of usesthat will add to the vibrancy of the economic activity. These include areas such as:• The Junction• WestgarthIn these areas, residential and economic activities could be included within the samebuildings, creating space for studios, workshops and home-based economic activity, aswell as smaller self-contained business units.Improving residential amenityWill change to residential development add significantly to theamenity of surrounding residents?Will the proposed development support existing shops andcommunity services?Will the form of the development add to the attractiveness of themunicipality for residents?YesYesYesNoNoNoIn some cases the replacement of an old industrial pocket, which may be vacant, byhousing development will significantly improve the amenity of surrounding residentsIndustrial Land Use Strategy 24