Help us plan for future housing: Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Chewton

Published on 04 September 2023

 Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the draft Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy for Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton.

The strategy will provide the following:

• Guidance for how new residential development in these towns should respond to preferred neighbourhood character through its design.
• Facilitation of housing opportunities within existing residential areas.
• Identification of planned and anticipated housing change.
• Recommendation of appropriate planning controls.

The strategy was informed by extensive community feedback from the Issues and Opportunities Paper – a document that identified the opportunities and constraints for future residential development in these towns.

It was also informed by the project’s Community Reference Group, which provided local knowledge and experience.

Council’s Mayor, and Chair of the project’s Community Reference Group, Cr Rosie Annear, said that the draft strategy has been developed to facilitate future housing development while maintaining neighbourhood character.

“We want to encourage housing that responds to the needs of our community,” said Mayor Annear.

“The strategy will help us achieve this, while also protecting valued neighbourhood, heritage, environment and landscape character.”

“It will help us respond appropriately to environmental risks like bushfires and flooding, which are a big concern in our region.

“It will also provide a framework to address the need for more affordable, diverse and sustainable housing options in these towns.

“We’ve developed a thorough and informative strategy and it’s largely thanks to our community’s input and feedback.

“We really value the amount of local knowledge and expertise within our community, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in this project, and particularly our fantastic Community Reference Group. Your input has helped us develop an excellent strategy that will put us in good stead for the future.”

Have your say

Community members are encouraged to view the draft Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy online at www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/housing-and-neighbourhood-character-strategy, and provide feedback via a quick survey.

The draft strategy is also available for review at the Castlemaine Civic Centre.

Council will also be holding face-to-face information sessions where people can ask questions about what’s proposed in the strategy. 

Chewton

When: Tuesday 12 September, 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Chewton Senior Citizens Centre, 201 Main Street, Chewton

Castlemaine

When: Wednesday 13 September, 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Ray Bradfield Room, Frederick Street, Castlemaine (Victory Park)

Campbells Creek

When: Thursday 14 September, 4.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Campbells Creek Park, Main Road, Campbells Creek (Next to the Bowling Club)

Submissions close on Sunday 8 October.

Council will finalise the draft strategy later this year, with a plan scheduled to go to Councillors for consideration in mid-2024.

The adoption of the strategy by Councillors will lead to changes to the Mount Alexander Shire Planning Scheme, including policy and land use zones.

Council is committed to managing sustainable township growth and development in the shire as outlined in the Council Plan 2021-2025.

For more information, visit www.shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/housing-and-neighbourhood-character-strategy or contact Council’s Strategic Planning team, at strategic planning@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or on 5471 1700.