Golden Plains Shire adopted the Growing Places Strategy (the Strategy) at its June Council Meeting. With the Shire’s population expected to grow by almost 32,800 people to 58,000 in 2050, the Strategy sets the overall direction for where Golden Plains Shire’s future housing could be located to accommodate population growth to 2050 and beyond.
The Strategy has been developed over the past four years and has been prepared using a comprehensive series of technical assessments and reports. The document has undergone extensive stakeholder and community consultation and is grounded in the principles of the Community Vision 2040.
A key part of the Strategy is the continued support for growth already planned in Bannockburn and additional growth in Meredith, Lethbridge and Teesdale. Meredith is identified as a stand-alone service-based hub, if and when reticulated sewerage becomes available. Cambrian Hill and Stonehaven are considered suitable options for future growth when infrastructure is available.
Developed with funding from and delivered in partnership with the Victorian Planning Authority, the Strategy is a significant achievement. The Strategy not only guides the development of new housing, but also seeks to protect the unique environmental values, historic towns and agricultural land that make Golden Plains a great place to live, work and socialise.
Golden Plains Shire Council Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said properly planning for projected growth delivered benefits for the whole of Golden Plains Shire.
“Victoria’s population is growing, and in turn so are the neighbouring cities of Geelong and Ballarat. Located between the two, Golden Plains has a unique opportunity to leverage flow-on growth and secure benefits for our communities,” Cr Sharkey said.
“Informed by independent expert research, consultation with key local and regional stakeholders and aligning this with the aspirations of the Community Vision 2040, the Growing Places Strategy outlines the most suitable locations for housing growth into the long-term future,” he said.
“Importantly, the Strategy seeks to ensure that while the population grows, the diverse mix of our rural townships, landscapes, other environmental values and agricultural land is protected into the future.”
A copy of the GPS along with more information about expert research and community consultation is available at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/growing-places-strategy. Council officers will now resolve to seek approval from the Minister for Planning to prepare, authorise and exhibit a planning scheme amendment to implement the GPS.
For more information about the Growing Places Strategy, call 5220 7111 or email [email protected].