In a first step towards transforming the 128-hectare former explosives site into a new suburb for 6000-odd residents, the draft vision outlines five goals of the $1billion development:

■Providing public access to the river front and opportunities for people to meet

and enjoy a range of open space.

■Celebrating the indigenous, munitions and equine histories of the site.

■Advocating for better public transport and creating a vibrant, main street.

■Building a range of housing and creating commercial and community facilities.

■Becoming a benchmark in sustainable urban design and green living principles.

Maribyrnong citizen of the year Peter Somerville said he was feeling positive about the direction VicUrban was taking. "There's no way we'll save all the buildings on the site, but key buildings would have to be high on their list."

He said the most important of these were the stables and administration block.

Avondale Heights Sporting Club's Ray Micallef said neighbouring suburbs were keen for the site - and the residents who moved there - to be well integrated with existing community facilities.

A final shared vision will be published in the second half of the year. This will form the basis of a two-year master planning process. Construction is not expected to start until after 2014, after remediation of the Cordite Avenue site.

Have your say on the draft vision statement before April 28 by visiting www.vicurban.com/maribyrnong

SNAPSHOT OF RIVER DEVELOPMENTS

■Joseph Road precinct: 15 hectares of land between the Maribyrnong River, Werribee/Sydenham train lines and Hopkins Street, Footscray. On April 23, Planning Minister Justin Madden rezoned the land from business 3 to a priority development zone, which allows high-density housing, commercial development and entertainment. But the land is privately owned, so development will depend on the owners.