Comment sought on Longwarry’s future
Future development options for Longwarry are on the table for discussion.
Baw Baw Shire has released the draft Longwarry Structure Plan that addressed long term land use and development opportunities in the town.
The plan considers the capability of land and existing infrastructure to accommodate growth, with a particular focus on drainage, servicing and flooding issues.
The project also investigates the quantity of land required for growth and provides recommendations for land rezoning.
Development of the draft plan followed community consultation sessions in April last year where community members outlined their thoughts and aspirations for the future of Longwarry.
The vision for Longwarry 2041 is for:
* A vibrant community that wishes to see a safe, clean and caring environment - with planned, sustainable industry and businesses.
* A township that maintains its compact and walkable form, builds upon the spacious character and aligns growth within existing features.
* A township with well-designed, green streetscapes, pedestrian connections and community spaces.
* A township which recognises and responds to its floodplain location and environmental characteristics.
Seven key elements are outlined in the plan including housing and employment; key growth sites; character and design; serving infrastructure, drainage and staging; ecology, environment and heritage; open space and community facilities; and transport and movement.
Establishing a public space for teenagers and additional local parks in growth areas were identified as priorities for open space and community facilities.
Options also were considered for a second oval for the recreation reserve given the current demand pressures in the existing oval, flooding issues at the cite and complexities of investing in land owned by the state government.
The draft plan proposes a development plan overlay to protect the rural character of Longwarry. The overlay will provide detailed guidance to retain and improve residential character, to minimise flooding impacts in urban areas and improve interface treatments for the gateway to Longwarry along Sand Rd.
The draft plan also outlines strategies and actions to improve and enhance ecological, environmental and heritage significance within the town have been identified.
These include enhancing the township gateways through increased landscaping and signage, ensuring well designed interfaces with rural areas and encouraging generous landscaping and
frontage to drainage corridors for new developments.
Further studies are recommended including a biodiversity assessment for the area identified for future residential growth and an arboricultural assessment for vegetation identified at the
town gateways with the potential for implementing vegetation protection planning controls.
A heavy vehicle bypass route was identified to avoid the need for heavy vehicles travelling through residential and commercial areas.
The plan also recommends well-connected pedestrian and shared paths between new and existing residential developments.
Cr Tricia Jones said the shire was experiencing rapid population growth and Longwarry as the gateway to the shire was no exception.
“Council is keen to set a strategic direction to support the community’s vision. I urge the Longwarry community to take up this opportunity for feedback,” she said.
Cr Annemarie McCabe said it was time revisit the plan and ensure it was relevant to current conditions.
She said the plan investigated the quantity of land needed to cater for growth and the economic analysis of that growth.
Community feedback on the draft plan closes on March 25.