Extensive community consultation has played a vital role in shaping the latest draft of the Growing Places Strategy (GPS). The GPS is Golden Plains Shire’s proposed blueprint for where housing and population growth could be supported to 2050 and beyond.
In mid-2023, Council released a draft ‘Future Growth Scenario’ to spark discussions with the community. Feedback received from community members and local stakeholders highlighted three priority concerns: traffic and transport, the timely supply of supporting infrastructure and services, and preserving the Shire’s unique country feel.
This feedback, alongside further research and technical studies, has significantly influenced the latest draft of the GPS. The Strategy also includes an updated ‘Future Growth Scenario’ which continues to focus growth in areas where supporting infrastructure already exists.
Golden Plains Shire CEO Shane Walden said potential future growth is driven by geographically being between the regional cities of Geelong and Ballarat and the Shire’s location as a Peri Urban community of Metropolitan Melbourne.
“We have listened to the community and stakeholder feedback on the draft Growing Places Strategy, and this has been reflected in the latest version of this important plan for growth in Golden Plains Shire. We encourage the community to read the draft Strategy and provide any further feedback,” Mr Walden said.
The updated ‘Future Growth Scenario’ in the draft GPS focuses on:
- Growth in Bannockburn (already identified in the Bannockburn Growth Plan).
- Incremental growth in Lethbridge, Teesdale, Smythesdale and Inverleigh.
- Minimal growth in all other towns.
- Developing Meredith as a future stand-alone service-based hub by making it a focus for residential and economic growth depending on the availability of reticulated sewerage.
- Cambrian Hill and Stonehaven still being considered suitable options for future growth but only when the necessary infrastructure is available.
The draft GPS with an action plan for implementation, suggested planning scheme changes, previous consultation findings and the complete background research and technical studies are available at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.
Council is inviting community feedback on the draft GPS until Friday 31 January 2025. The community can provide feedback by emailing [email protected] or by writing to: Strategic Planning, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn 3111.
The Strategy will be presented to Council for consideration following this round of consultation.