Plan outlines aspirations as Winchelsea grows

WINCHELSEA is planning for significant population growth, with councillors discussing a long-term Place Plan outlining how the town could expand beyond 10,000 residents.

The plan, written by shire officers but developed by the Place Plan Working Group through six workshops and an online meeting, reflects what is important to the Winchelsea community over the next 25 years and beyond as the town grows.

Described as an “aspirational community document that outlines a shared vision for Winchelsea’s future”, the plan contains seven key principles to help guide growth and development, including environmental stewardship, inclusive access to services and infrastructure, and a walkable and connected town.

The officers’ report to councillors at their meeting on Tuesday this week states the Place Plan is a response to forecasts in the shire’s Urban Futures Strategy that there will be demand for between 4,535 to 7,531 new homes between now and 2051 in Winchelsea.

This will raise the town’s population to somewhere between 10,771 and 18,757.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Joel Grist said the plan provided a useful starting point for conversations about how Winchelsea might grow.

“At the same time, it is important we are clear about what this document represents. It reflects meaningful engagement and genuine local ambition, but is not a final mandate for the planning decisions that will lie ahead. As we move from vision to delivery, there are practical challenges to work through,” he said.

“Achieving the plans ambitions will involve council, other levels of government, the private sector, and the community itself.

“That shared responsibility is realistic, but it also means expectations from need to be carefully managed, particularly around funding, infrastructure timing, and who is responsible for delivering outcomes.”

He said there were also “natural tensions” within the vision.

“Protecting rural character or the Winchelsea ‘vibe’, to quote the document and Dennis Denuto [from The Castle], while planning for growth and expanded services is possible, but it requires trade-offs.”

Cr Paul Barker was the only councillor to vote against the motion. He said the plan’s intent was valid but he could not support embedding it as a guiding document until there were clear costings, priorities, and a funding pathway.

“We need to focus on doing the basics well before committing to visions that we may not be able to deliver,” he said.