Woodlea

SNAPSHOT

The Woodlea project is located at Aintree, within the City of Melton on Melbourne’s western fringe. This community is widely regarded as representing a benchmark in Australian urban-fringe living. At maturity, Woodlea will be home to nearly 20 000 people.

My Neighbourhood supported the community building effort at Woodlea for four years. The Woodlea approach to community development is revered by the Local Government Authority, studied by Queensland University of Technology and has contributed deeply to the fabric of that place.

My Neighbourhood was engaged from 12 months in advance of the commencement of construction. This early engagement enabled a community focus to be consistently overlaid upon the planning mix and for broad local connections to be established that value-add immeasurably to early community activation.

Central to a Woodlea existence is a vibrant and inclusive community, where meaningful resident input into the shape of their immediate community is encouraged and valued.

Details

Taking Community Building to

the Next Level

challenge

Residents demand more than bricks and mortar. They want an inclusive vision and a meaningful connection to the community in which they will live.

State Governments and local planning authorities recognize the need to better regulate developments to ensure communities are established in a safe, healthy, vibrant and sustainable way.

Developers operate in a competitive commercial world and they revel in high purchase demand for Lots, which contributes to a great reputation for the project.

Solution

A My Neighbourhood engagement helps to address community development at all levels. At Woodlea, the early engagement enabled a community focus to be consistently overlaid upon the planning mix and for broad local connections to be established that value-add immeasurably to early community activation.

Central to a Woodlea existence is a vibrant and inclusive community, where meaningful resident input into the shape of their immediate community is encouraged and valued.

RESULTS

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Aintree Walk of Honour

The Aintree Walk of Honour is a military commemorative statement of state-wide significance. Upon receipt of our concept, Woodlea engaged us to further develop, research and ultimately curate this 500m physical tribute to local people who have seen military service. This included the active engagement of local R.S.L sub-branches and history groups, which spawned a keen sense of pride in the outcome.

The Aintree Walk Of Honour represents an extremely generous developer investment that will leave a substantial legacy at Woodlea through the ages.
www.aintreewalkofhonour.com.au

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Woodlea Connect

Woodlea Connect is a longitudinal examination of the notion of social cohesion.

Over a 5-year period, the Woodlea joint venture has joined with Queensland University of Technology to gain a better understanding of key aspects of community connection. Such insights will inform future “place-making” planning and resourcing decisions at Woodlea and beyond.

We remain grateful for the opportunity to significantly shape and commission this landmark research that may become a highly regarded industry tool for future measurement of social capital.

We were both hands on and strategic in our engagement and we engineered our own withdrawal by attracting and embedding local community development staff to guide this new community towards eventual self-sustainability.

The success of the Woodlea community is a source of great pride to My Neighbourhood

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Woodlea peak-hours shuttle bus

In recognition of the importance of early-activated transport options in new communities, Woodlea embraced a partnership we proposed with the Caroline Springs RSL for a peak-hours train station shuttle service. This arrangement is thought to be the first of its kind ever developed within Australian new communities.

In addition to responding to the critical needs of local commuters, the engagement of RSL drivers built meaning into their lives and promoted great camaraderie with local residents.

Upon the commencement of state funded public transport into the estate, we were delighted to broker a continued role for the RSL service with another new community in the area, thereby perpetuating Woodlea’s commitment to the development of sustainable local communities.

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Smart Learning Hub

Education sits as an aspirational cornerstone within most new communities.

Woodlea structurally embraced the notion of Lifelong Learning with the early establishment of its Smart Learning Hub. We were charged with the challenge of attracting delivery partners and early activation of the Hub. Our brokerage of relationships that led to up-skilling and civil works employment on the project, reflects time taken to build local relationships.

TESTIMONIAL

Chris has worked alongside me on numerous residential projects and understands the perils of social isolation and the value of grass-roots community development. My Neighbourhood provides the expertise to connect residents in new growth areas, undertake community engagement and deliver programs which ultimately empowers community members and creates stronger, safer and more connected communities. Chris’ ultimate aim is to ensure that everyone in the neighbourhood lives in a place where they feel they belong.

Matthew Dean, Project Director, Woodlea

Olivine

Olivine is located within the northern-fringe Melbourne suburb of Donnybrook and will eventually be home to approximately 12000 people. Developer Mirvac has shown industry leadership by committing to the creation of an authentic and inclusive community that self-sustains. My Neighbourhood is proud to have been engaged to assist in delivering upon this ambition.
Best-practice community development and partnership brokerage will be applied at Olivine.

Read Case Study

The Woodlea project is located at Aintree, within the City of Melton on Melbourne’s western fringe. This community is widely regarded as representing a benchmark in Australian urban-fringe living. At maturity, Woodlea will be home to nearly 20 000 people.
My Neighbourhood supported the community building effort at Woodlea for four years. The Woodlea approach to community development is revered by the Local Government Authority, studied by Queensland University of Technology and has contributed deeply to the fabric of that place.