On Thursday, representatives of key business groups met in Essendon to share their vision for the 128-hectare former explosives site that faces Canning Street.

Ideas raised included starting a night market, setting up a bicycle sharing system, increasing activities on the Maribyrnong River, through things such as water taxis, and creating a 'business incubator' to increase employment opportunities.

The idea of more river crossings was controversial, with a developer saying it was essential there were more road connections to the site. "If you look at the map it's landlocked. You're not going to go into that land unless there's something there that attracts people or you can drive through it," Saracen's Geoff Morley said.

But Moonee Valley councillor Ange Kenos said the council would support more

river crossings only for pedestrians and cyclists. "If there's one more car bridge it will be over our municipality's dead body."

Key requests from those attending the forum were:

* High sustainable building standards being set from the beginning.

* Including a main street that provides the area with 'a hub'.

* Basing community clubs there.

* Addressing a shortage of public transport.

LeadWest chief executive Anton Mayer said the site could become "an iconic development of the west". Robert Stubbs, who represented the Western Bulldogs, said it was a chance to provide the western suburbs with things it did not have "rather than more of the same".

Last Monday week, a session was held in Maribyrnong for community groups and key stakeholders. Maribyrnong Residents Association secretary Alan Ross said the main themes were preserving the river environment, creating open space, using heritage buildings, and building a primary school.

VicUrban is seeking feedback at an information display in Highpoint shopping centre and through feedback forms available on its website www.vicurban.com.au

These views will be collated and presented at a community forum on November 4.

Register: 83173400.