State funds study on huge growth

GOLDEN Plains Shire has received considerable State Government funding to help guide its settlement strategy for the next fifteen years.

More than $300,000 was awarded to the Shire as part of the Victoria Planning Authority’s Streamlining for Growth program.

The Golden Plains Settlement Strategy is designed to identify areas suitable for development and determine the appropriate level and density of growth across the Shire.

“Population growth is a critical issue for council and we know it’s a very important issue for our Golden Plains Shire residents,” mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said.

“Community engagement on the Golden Plains Shire Community Vision 2040 captured concerns about growth, reflected by the commitment to make liveability one of the four pillars of the community’s 20-year vision and a theme of the Council Plan 2021-2025.

“As a peri-urban municipality, council takes seriously our role of strategic planning to best support our enviable lifestyle in Golden Plains while welcoming new residents to our communities.

“The Golden Plains Settlement Strategy is the plan we need for our whole Shire and we thank the Victorian Planning Authority for partnering with council to support this planning project.”

The Streamlining for Growth program has allocated more than $3.2 million to local governments that the State Government believes are growing in population or facing land shortages.

“We know regional Victoria is facing land supply and affordability pressures, which is why two thirds of this year’s funding was focused on the regions,” said the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne.

“The funding will help local councils with staffing or financial support to unblocking or fast-track strategic planning projects to deliver new homes and jobs faster.”

According to a statement from the State Government, the funding will “unlock 7000 housing lots” to support an expected community of 21,000 people in the Shire.

However, that estimate could be on the low side as in early 2020 a future housing development site in the south of Bannockburn alone was estimated to provide 7000 new homes and 17,000 extra residents.

The settlement strategy is expected to be released this year and Shire residents will have the opportunity to have their say on its development.