By Laura Jolly 19 Jun 2012

MERRIFIELD West and Lockerbie will become Hume’s newest suburbs, with the State Government granting approval for the areas’ Precinct Structure Plans.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week announced the approval of six Precinct Structure Plans, which would also lead to the development of new communities at Diggers Rest, Lockerbie North, Manor Lakes and Rockbank North.

With PSP approval for Merrifield West. MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation will move ahead with plans to transform the area, situated along Donnybrook Rd, between the Hume Highway and Mickleham Rd in Mickleham.

The Merrifield West Precinct Structure Plan will see more than 7000 new homes built, three mixed-use local town centres, community facilities, six school sites and more than lOOha of public open space.

It is expected to create up to 30,000 new jobs and provide homes for more than 30.000 residents.

The Lockerbie PSP outlines a 11,500 lot residential development as well as a freeway interchange, train station, a 60 ha town centre with a regional shopping centre, hospital, schools and tertiary education facilities, retirement living, childcare and other facilities.