Shire seeks input on hinterland strategy

THE Surf Coast Shire is seeking public feedback on its draft Hinterland Futures Strategy.

The strategy is being developed to provide clear vision and direction on strengthening and sustaining the shire’s hinterland economy and future, while elevating and protecting its rural and landscape values.

It combines economic development and land use planning to provide strategic direction for the shire’s rural areas, through five objectives:

• Elevating the value of rural landscapes as a
  defining feature of Surf Coast hinterland, and their significance to local economy
• Stimulating agri-tourism to enhance the Surf Coast as a visitor destination
• Encouraging innovative businesses showing sustainable land management practices
• Supporting tourism activities which complement the landscape, agricultural and environmental values of the shire, and
• Securing infrastructure that enables delivery of the strategy vision

The draft strategy has been refined following public consultations in November.

Councillors resolved at their June 26 meeting to seek further public feedback, and will exhibit the strategy for comment for two months.

Shire mayor David Bell said it was important for people to provide responses and further shape the vision.

“This is an extremely significant piece of work,” Mr Bell said.

“I urge everyone to have a look at the draft strategy and submit a comment because it will set in place important future directions for this shire for a number of years, and particularly for some of our townships.”

The strategy can be viewed during opening hours at the shire’s council office in Torquay, Deans Marsh and Moriac general stores, Lorne Visitor Information Centre and Winchelsea Post Office, and there will also be a series of drop-in and open house sessions.

Drop-in sessions:

• July 10: 2-5pm, Surf Coast Shire Council office
• July 12: 10am-2pm, Lorne Visitor Information Centre
• July 18: 10am-2pm, Lorne Visitor Information Centre
• July 26: 2-5pm, Surf Coast Shire Council office.

Open houses:

• July 11, 5-7pm, Eastern Reserve members’ room, Winchelsea
• July 14, 10am-noon, Surf Coast Shire Council Chambers
• July 18, 1-3pm, Anglesea Historical Society, McMillan Street
• July 19, 5-7pm, Deans Marsh Community Hall, Pennyroyal Road.

Submissions close on August 24 and should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Hinterland Strategy, Strategic Planning Co-ordinator, Surf Coast Shire, PO Box 350, Torquay, 3228.

To read the strategy online, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/hinterlandfutures.