THE Moorabool Shire council has adopted a new Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan to guide planning and development in the precinct.<\/p>\n
It was adopted unanimously and without debate at a special council meeting last week, and represents what an officers’ report described as “a shared vision” for the area.<\/p>\n
It effectively replaces the Bacchus Marsh Activity Centre Structure Plan, which was adopted in 2011 and was implemented through a planning scheme amendment in 2016.<\/p>\n
“Since that time Bacchus Marsh has undergone significant change\u2026and faces new challenges,” the report said.<\/p>\n
“The review and preparation of a new structure plan has been undertaken to communicate a refreshed long-term vision for Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
“The new structure plan needs to account for increases in population through new growth areas and changing trends and ensure that the town centre remains a focus for housing, retail, employment, transport, community services, leisure, open space and entertainment.”<\/p>\n
It complements the council’s new retail strategy and will remain in effect for 15 years.<\/p>\n
The main elements are guidelines for economic activity and land use, access and movement, public realm and landscape, and built form and heritage.<\/p>\n
A draft plan attracted substantial comment when it went on public display for a month over July and August, with a project page on the shire website clocking up 1882 views while 44 surveys were completed and a further 14 written submissions lodged.<\/p>\n
The report said feedback was generally supportive of key aspects, including the green link connecting Werribee River and Main Street, protecting heritage features and improving walking and cycling connections.<\/p>\n
“Several of the submissions relate to matters which are unable to be controlled by the planning scheme, such as the types of retailers allowed to use shops,” the report said.<\/p>\n
According to the report, changes made following consultation include a preferred four-storey height limit in commercial zoned areas and a site at 92-98 Main Street to be identified as potential future commercial land in the short to medium term.<\/p>\n
“The Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan builds on the best of the Bacchus Marsh town centre, establishing a framework for guiding land use and development\u2026including unlocking key development sites and a civic precinct,” the report said.<\/p>\n
“The town centre should become an attractive and vibrant hub where people shop, work, meet, relax and live.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Moorabool Shire council has adopted a new Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan to guide planning and development in the precinct. It was adopted unanimously and without debate at a special council meeting last week, and represents what an officers’ report described as “a shared vision” for the area. It effectively replaces the Bacchus […]<\/p>\n