A SUNBURY developer has called for urban growth boundaries to be extended around the town to ensure Sunbury can push for better health and transport facilities.
Glenn Ingram said last week a population boost for Sunbury would reinforce the need for a 24-hour hospital and electrified rail.
His call to release more land has sparked a debate about the permanence of the growth boundaries and the green wedges, with the State Government insisting that it would not move on the issue.
"We are half an hour from Melbourne and with more land released we can provide affordable housing," Mr Ingram said.
He was commenting after Premier John Brumby revealed plans to release more land to meet the states housing shortage, but ignored the 4125 vacant Sunbury house blocks.
Mr Brumby fast tracked land to build 90,000 new homes; many in neighbouring Craigieburn and Melton.
Hume councillor Jack Ogilvie also said he would like to see Sunbury grow from 35,000 and said it could be a self sufficient city with a population of 55,000.
"We are half an hour from the city, there is nowhere else for people to go," he said.
But State Government spokesman Tim Pigot said Melbourne 2030 and UGBs are important for managing growth and there were no plans to change Sunbury's UGB.
"The Brumby Government is committed to balancing growth with green wedges which is why growth will go into urban growth zones," he said.
Sunbury Maribyrnong Valley Green Wedge Defenders co-ordinator Arnie Azaris said people should change lifestyles rather than urban growth boundaries.
"If they (green wedges) are changed then there will be a fight from us," Ms Azaris said.
"House blocks need to be smaller and there is also a need for more public housing which has not yet been built.
"A lot of the problem is people are buying outside their needs and we need to combat that attitude.
"There is still room in Melbourne, you just don't need the McMansions."
http://www.sunburyleader.com.au/article/2008/03/11/31084_srv_news.html