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Turning industrial precincts into beauty spots

The term 'industrial area' is often associated with acres of noisy, unsightly factories with ill kept surrounds and heavy traffic. While these areas provide work and products, few people enjoy the view.

Hume City Council welcomes industry to the City but refuses to accept that having thriving industry means accepting an eyesore. Community surveys show residents are keen to see the appearance of Hume, including its industrial precincts, improved.

Furthermore, conscious of its gateway status, the City is determined to raise its image and community pride. Accordingly, Hume has embarked on a concentrated effort to improve the industrial landscape through targeting areas on a precinct basis.

Senior Planning Investigations Officer Stacey Hesketh explained that Council, having targeted an area, moves to enforce planning requirements, consulting with offending businesses and suggesting ways in which they might improve operations for a better aesthetic outcome.

Following this, Council assists with higher standards of grass cutting and weed eradication, repairs damaged footpaths and carries out tree planting.

Carrying out the program on a precinct basis has brought great results. "When people see the results in an entire street or precinct they have a real impression of what can be achieved," Stacey Hesketh said. "It sends a message to everyone that real change can come about."

Businesses are not simply left to their own devices. "If, for example, they appear to have insufficient room for storage we refer them to the Economic Development Unit which is able to assess whether or not the company may need larger premises and can suggest suitable locations within Hume," she said. "Companies are given time to comply. "It is a non threatening process."

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