Sustainable growth in Harcourt secured following planning changes

Published on 27 February 2025

Mount Alexander Shire Council is pleased to announce new planning controls for Harcourt that respect heritage, environment and economic potential have been approved by the Victorian Government’s Minister for Planning.

These planning controls, referred to as Amendment C94malx, have resulted in a number of changes to the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme.

From now on, any development in Harcourt will need to refer to the new planning controls, which aim to support the sustainable development of Harcourt.

Specifically, key planning changes are:

Protecting biodiversity – Rezoning select farming areas to Rural Conservation Zone and applying Environmental and Vegetation Protection Overlays.
Encouraging commercial activity – Rezoning parts of High Street and Harmony Way to Commercial 1 and Mixed Use Zones.
Managing residential growth – Rezoning land east and northeast of town to Neighbourhood Residential Zone while discouraging development outside the township boundary.
Transitioning land use – Rezoning a parcel at Coolstore Road and Blackjack Road to Rural Living Zone, removing references to future industrial use.
Maintaining visual character – Applying a Design and Development Overlay to commercial areas, ensuring open space and view protection.
Coordinating new residential areas – Applying a Development Plan Overlay to guide future growth with agricultural buffers.

The planning controls apply to public and private land in Harcourt, and have been informed by extensive community input over a number of years.

They are part of Council’s long-term strategic planning project, Plan Harcourt, which has been underway since 2018.

Plan Harcourt also includes the Harcourt Framework Plan, and was supported by several technical studies, including the Harcourt Strategic Infrastructure Plan.

Calder Ward Councillor, Tony Cordy said he was happy to see the planning controls introduced, and thanked the community for their ongoing input and support.

“This has been an incredible journey, and one that our community have been a part of, right from the very start,” said Cr Cordy.

“It’s involved multiple community consultation sessions over a number of years, and highlighted some of things that are really important to Harcourt residents.

“Protecting biodiversity and the natural environment, managing growth, a distinct town centre; these are a few of the areas that matter to locals.

“Thank you to everyone who’s been involved in the project across the years.

“Through sharing your feedback with us, you’ve made a positive difference in our community,” said Cr Cordy.

For more information on Plan Harcourt and Amendment C94malx, visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Plan-Harcourt.

Plan Harcourt – timeline:

2018 – Community consultation to inform development of Plan Harcourt.
July 2020 – Plan Harcourt adopted by Council.
Nov 2022 – Minister authorises Amendment C94malx with conditions.
Jan-Mar 2022 – Public exhibition period.
June 2022 – Council reviews submissions, appoints planning panel.
Sept-Nov 2022 – Panel hearings and recommendations.
Dec 2022-Apr 2023 – Further research and commercial land assessment.
Mar 2023-June 2024 – Biodiversity assessments and community feedback.
30 Aug 2024 – Amendment submitted for approval.
7 Feb 2025 – Plan Harcourt approved for gazettal.