Moorabool council is ready to tackle population growth and the demand for housing at Bacchus Marsh.
The council last week released its draft Bacchus Marsh Housing Strategy, which recommends an action plan to tackle demand for new housing and infill developments in the face of an expected doubling of the population over the next 25 years.
The draft strategy, Housing Bacchus Marsh to 2041, has been advertised for public feedback until the end of June. It recommends upgrading the residential zones used in the Bacchus Marsh planning scheme.
These zones should “identify where growth should and should not be facilitated, and link housing decisions with issues such as accessibility to services”, a report tabled at the council’s May 25 meeting stated.
Cr Tonia Dudzik said the new strategy and subsequent action plan would place council and developers on the same page when it comes to planning and urban growth. “The strategy means we can place tighter controls on planning in Bacchus Marsh … and identify different areas which all have very distinct characteristics.” She said it was an important step forward for residents wanting to challenge development in their neighbourhoods.
Housing Bacchus Marsh to 2041 is one of six studies that will inform preparation of the urban growth strategy. Council has recently completed retail, economic development, transport and industrial strategies for Bacchus Marsh, and a community infrastructure strategy is also due.
Click here to view the Urban Growth Strategy.
