Golden Plains Shire Council has secured a significant grant from the Victorian Government’s Streamlining for Growth Program to fund an exciting partnership of Council and the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) that will develop the new Bannockburn Growth Plan in 2020.
Today, Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey, Council CEO Eric Braslis and Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) CEO Stuart Moseley met to discuss the planning partnership and to view the investigation area in Bannockburn South.
Bannockburn is the largest town in Golden Plains Shire, and the town and surrounds is the fourth fastest growing regional Statistical Area Level 2 in Victoria. This growth has seen the existing Bannockburn Urban Design Framework (BUDF) realised, and a new Bannockburn Growth Plan is now underway.
The Minister for Planning has assumed planning authority for the Bannockburn Growth Plan, which will deliver 7,000 additional homes and approximately 17,000 new residents in the south of the town, significantly increasing the population of Golden Plains Shire.
Community engagement and consultation on the plan will commence in March 2020.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says that Council’s partnership with the VPA will deliver an excellent outcome for current and future residents of Bannockburn and Golden Plains Shire.
“The Victorian Planning Authority are world leaders in strategic planning and this exciting new partnership with our local council will deliver a top quality result for development in Bannockburn’s South.
“Golden Plains Shire is ideally located within close proximity to Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne with good access to services and infrastructure and a wonderful regional lifestyle. With major growth planned in the region – specifically the Western Geelong Growth Area –Bannockburn’s population will continue to increase, as the town develops as a significant regional centre.
“Council is committed to ensuring that our local quality of life is preserved for existing residents, as we continue to welcome new residents to Golden Plains. The best way to achieve this goal is to get it right from the start and Council’s new partnership with the Victorian Planning Authority will deliver the highest standard of development.
“Council actively seeks opportunities to work with government to achieve great outcomes for our residents, and we are pleased that the State Government has recognised the importance of supporting our rapidly-growing shire with a grant to fund this quality planning project.”