The Bannockburn Growth Plan has been prepared and local residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the strategic document to guide the sustainable growth of Bannockburn to the year 2050.
The Growth Plan identifies where and when future housing will be developed and what infrastructure is needed to support the growing community, such as roads and community facilities, and land for employment and retail. This will provide certainty to the local community about what changes to expect in Bannockburn in the next 30 years.
Community Consultation on the Bannockburn Growth Plan
In March 2020, the VPA and Council hosted local engagement activities and a community survey that was mailed to all households and businesses in Bannockburn. With quality input from 394 people, the feedback from the Bannockburn community identified key priorities that are reflected in the Growth Plan under the themes of Housing & Community Infrastructure, Economy & Employment, Environment & Water, and Transport & Movement.
Residents, landowners, and other affected community members are now invited to make submissions on the Growth Plan and accompanying draft planning scheme amendment documents.
The consultation is open from 26 October to 23 November, with detailed engagement information mailed directly to all Bannockburn households and businesses in October. A range of community engagement opportunities have been developed in consideration of the COVID-19 environment including direct phone consultations with the project team during business hours throughout the consultation period with a dedicated after-hours consultation from 5 to 7pm, Tuesday 10 November, and an online drop-in session from 5.30 to 6.30pm, Wednesday 18 November.
Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Eric Braslis encourages all Bannockburn residents to have their say on the future plan for the Shire’s largest town.
“As one of Victoria’s fastest-growing municipalities, Council is committed to ensuring sustainable and responsible growth that secures our quality lifestyle for existing and new residents.
“The Bannockburn Growth Plan project began with community consultation, and the feedback and views of the residents have been at the core of the plan as it has developed. We thank all the locals who took the time to talk to the planners and complete the survey earlier this year, particularly the students of Bannockburn College who had a lot of thoughtful insight into the future of the town.
“Council’s partnership with the VPA has delivered a clear and positive document and we want to hear more from our residents about what they think of the plans for improved community infrastructure, a retail centre and housing in the south of town, improved public transport, industrial land to support new employment, and sustainable water use to preserve the environment. All this is in the Growth Plan for Bannockburn and we welcome submissions from our community members.”
To read the Bannockburn Growth Plan, visit engage.vic.gov.au/bannockburn-growth-plan. The full set of draft planning scheme amendment documents, frequently asked questions and instructions on how to make a submission are also available at this webpage. Residents who are unable to access the Growth Plan at the website are encouraged to call Council’s Strategic Planning team at 5220 7111 to arrange a hard copy of the plan.
Submissions on the Growth Plan and accompanying draft amendment must be made in writing to the VPA and sent via email to [email protected]; or post to: Victorian Planning Authority, c/- Bannockburn Growth Plan, Level 25, 35 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
The Bannockburn Growth Plan
The Growth Plan will deliver about 6,000 additional homes and approximately 18,000 new residents in the south of the town, significantly increasing the population of Golden Plains Shire.
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) has prepared the Bannockburn Growth Plan (Growth Plan) in consultation with Golden Plains Shire Council, government agencies and the community. The VPA is the Victorian Government’s specialist authority for land use and infrastructure planning in growing urban areas across the state. The Growth Plan has also been informed by technical background documents such as a biodiversity assessment and drainage catchment assessment.
The Growth Plan:
- Identifies areas for future housing development to accommodate projected population growth to the year 2050.
- Identifies locations for industrial land to support local jobs.
- Reinforces the existing Bannockburn Town Centre as the main retail centre and proposes a second local town centre in the south of the town.
- Identifies opportunities for new walking and cycling connections.
- Identifies ways that new development can respond to the existing character of the town.
- Advocates for investment in improved public transport connections.
- Identifies potential community infrastructure that will be required to service population growth.
- Sets a vision for sustainable development and sustainable water use.
To achieve this, the Growth Plan identifies strategies and actions under four themes:
- Housing & Community Infrastructure
- Economy & Employment
- Environment & Water
- Transport & Movement
The Growth Plan is part of the VPA – Fast-Track Program, an element of the Victorian Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. This accelerated work program will provide certainty for communities and a pipeline of development that will assist in delivering future jobs and homes for Victorians as the economy recovers from the impact of the pandemic.
The VPA, in consultation with Golden Plains Shire Council and State agencies, has prepared a draft planning scheme amendment to the Golden Plains Planning Scheme (the Scheme). The draft amendment proposes to include the Growth Plan as a Background Document in the Scheme and make associated changes to the Planning Policy Framework (PPF).
If required, the Growth Plan project will be subject to the VPA Projects Standing Advisory Committee (VPA SAC). The VPA SAC will provide advice on the draft amendment to the VPA and the Minister for Planning, who will consider the appropriate approval pathway for an amendment to the Golden Plains Planning Scheme.