Shire set for places to grow

A NEW draft document with an aim to address population and housing growth across Golden Plains Shire has been put to the community for feedback.

The Growing Places 2051 strategy was endorsed by councillors last month and looks at potential change during the three decades, with information from researchers and stakeholders and is part of the municipality’s broader Community Vision 2040.

Within the next 13 years, the Shire could have an additional 15,000 residents, as calculated by an Independent Housing Needs Assessment, and the document looks at growth at the northern and southern fringes, and in towns like Meredith and Teesdale.

Golden Plains Shire strategic planning coordinator Laura Murphy acknowledged the municipality has pre-existing structure plans for residential development in various towns, but they won’t be impacted by the Growing Places strategy.

“These plans will remain unchanged,” she said. “The Growing Places strategy considers and compliments these existing structure plans and looks to identify at a high level where additional growth beyond what is currently supported can be directed to the year 2050.

“It will also include an action plan outlining the work that needs to happen to support this future growth.

“Council is in a fortunate position to have sufficient land identified to provide for expected growth over the next 15 years and the Growing Places Strategy provides council with the unique opportunity to plan for additional growth, some of which could adjoin Ballarat and Geelong, enabling council to sustain the character and scale of existing small towns.

“We look forward to sharing more and informing the community at Growing Places information sessions throughout June and July 2023.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said the Shire’s proximity to Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne is driving growth.

“We’re getting on the front foot to carefully plan for this growth now, to make sure we grow where growth is best suited and will deliver the most benefit for our community,” he said.

“We are also proactively planning to protect the places and lifestyles our residents love.

“This draft future growth scenario is evidence based, informed by significant and comprehensive research, and strongly influenced by our Community Vision 2040, but we know the community will have questions.

“We want to talk with our community to explain the high-level plan and how it has been developed, and check in to make sure we haven’t missed any important considerations.”

As part of the community feedback process there are in-person and online consultation meetings coming up this month and next, visit the municipal website for more information.