Diversity in housing

Encouraging more housing diversity while protecting surrounding farmland will be the aim of the Drouin Township Plan’s focus on future housing strategies.

The plan estimates 5900 new residents have arrived in Drouin over the past 10 years.

The population growth rate has been almost twice as fast as that of the Warragul area.

Apart from some townhouses close to the primary town area, there is very little housing diversity.

Population projections for Drouin estimate the town will increase by 12,804 residents in the next two decades at a rate of three per cent each year.

This suggests an additional 5250 dwellings would be required by 2041 which is equal to 237 dwellings every year.

There is a significant supply of residential land in Drouin, primarily located in the new urban growth areas that will provide the opportunity for major urban development and population growth over a long period of time.

There also is opportunity for infill development closer to the town centre, indicating that Drouin is well positioned to provide a range of housing types and attract a range of new residents, despite the fact that the bulk of the development opportunities are expected to be provided through standard density developments accommodating single detached dwellings.

Consultants said the community was concerned about the loss of farmland and associated character.

“There is a case to be made for council to commit to utilising all of the existing urban growth zone land before considering the rezoning of any additional land,” the plan states.