SEVEN thousand jobs could be created in Northland as part of a major urban renewal project.
Darebin Council last week extended the boundary of its Northland Structure Plan to include the area bounded by Gower, Bell and Albert streets, and Darebin Creek.
The area, known as the Chifley precinct, has traditionally been a manufacturing hub but ongoing decline in the sector has left it underused.
The plan is expected to create 7000 jobs and 6000 new homes in the next 10–20 years.
The mixed-use development will dramatically shake up the area, which includes Northland Shopping Centre, Bunnings, TW Blake Reserve and Northland Secondary College.
As part of the proposal more community services and facilities would be built, including a TW Blake Park and Community Hub.
Recreation space would be upgraded and Darebin Creek would be cleaned up.
According to the council the number of manufacturing jobs in the area has declined since 2006 from 8397 jobs to 7059 in 2011.
The biggest growth in jobs during that period was in services, including health care, education, retail and finance.
Mayor Steven Tsitas said the area's potential for transport infrastructure and proximity to other major redevelopments made it ripe for revitalisation.
"It makes sense to include it within the boundary of the Northland Structure Plan as the redevelopment of these areas ... will result in great improvements and opportunities for Darebin residents for generations to come," he said in a written statement.