Council & Business
22 June, 2023
Land shortage to be addressed by council
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is looking to determine whether housing growth could be facilitated in Maryborough, Flagstaff and Carisbrook with two community workshops held during the week. The Central Goldfields Land Use Planning Framework...
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is looking to determine whether housing growth could be facilitated in Maryborough, Flagstaff and Carisbrook with two community workshops held during the week.
The Central Goldfields Land Use Planning Framework project is a continuation of the 2020 Population, Housing and Residential Settlement Strategy which identified Maryborough north and east, as well as Flagstaff and Carisbrook are potential sites for future growth.
According to a draft Issues and Opportunities Paper that has been prepared for the project, greenfield land supply is at or near capacity due to surrounding forest and while there is strong demand for industrial land in the shire, supply is low.
To address this, the project seeks to establish preferred areas to accommodate projected residential and industrial demand.
These areas, according to the draft paper, include the full extent of the Carisbrook township area including sections of rural living zone land to the north east, south and west of the township boundary, industrial land in Flagstaff, industrial land that forms the Maryborough east industrial precinct and land north of Ross Street.
Council’s general manager infrastructure assets and planning Matthew Irving said the project would explore the viability of key areas of land in the shire to address housing and industrial needs now and into the future.
“State planning policy requires councils to plan for land supply that is sufficient for at least the next 15 years and with the shortage we’ve identified, we need to do work,” he said.
“There were a number of opportunities where council could consider some changes for potential re-zoning of land and changes in our planning scheme, but they required careful consideration of key risks and issues.
“That leads us to the work we’re doing at the moment — the Population, Housing and Residential Settlement Strategy identified some key areas in Maryborough, Flagstaff and Carisbrook to undertake a land use planning framework to look at what re-zoning or changes in land use may occur to facilitate meeting population forecasts.
“This also takes into consideration key risks including flooding, the amenity and interface between industrial and residential uses and the potential for ecological and biodiversity loss as well as bushfire risks.”
According to the 2020 population strategy, over 2000 residents provided input saying they wanted the shire to grow.
Residents met with council staff in Carisbrook on Wednesday night and again in Maryborough last night to go over details of the project and provide initial feedback.
Mr Irving said while some re-zoning could occur as part of the project, it was unlikely to impact existing residents.
“There may be some properties that are within the potential re-zoning areas but at this time, council hasn’t got a predetermined outcome of where re-zoning could occur,” he said.
“This is really a preliminary phase to better understand where things are at.
“What this means for existing residents is that we’re keen to hear their perspectives and feedback on what they value and hold dear in the community, what they see as potential risks that could come with changes to land use and the challenges they face where they live at the moment and this work could help improve outcomes for them.”
A draft document will likely be released in September or October this year, with additional community consultation to be undertaken later in the year.
Mr Irving encouraged residents to provide feedback and share their thoughts on the project.
“We really strongly encourage members of the community to engage with this and provide feedback,” he said.
“It’s in the early phase currently and it’s an important time to get the intel and information from the community which will really help the council in shaping up this work.”
Residents can provide feedback and also view a project fact sheet and the draft Issues and Opportunities Paper online at engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/planning-growing-central-goldfields