What is your ideal Woodend in 2030?

More than 100 Woodend residents braved the first signs of winter last week to attend a community workshop hosted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council and consultants, Planisphere, to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan.

Woodend community members attend a workshop to discuss the Woodend Town Structure Plan last week.

The workshop gave attendees an opportunity to consider a discussion paper in preparing the town's future structure plan and to consider the question: What is my ideal Woodend in 2030?

"The room was filled with energy and passion and we were joined by two of our three ward councillors, council officers and a representative from the CFA, to consider what we want for the future of Woodend," said community reference group member, Andrew Wilson-Annan.

Mr Wilson-Annan said one of the key points most attendees agreed on was a desire for continued low growth.

"People who live in Woodend do not all work in Melbourne. Many work in Woodend itself, while others work in regional Victoria - Woodend is more than an outer suburb," Mr Wilson-Annan said.

"In the 15 years to 2006, Woodend grew 0.6 per cent per year - that's eight extra houses per year. More recently the stats tell us that we grew 1.5 per cent in the last five years to the 2011 population of 3,414 - an extra 21 houses per year which has been accommodated by infill and small subdivision developments.

"At the town meeting, the vast majority of people wanted to retain our historical growth and they were fully aware of the consequences of that preference - Woodend may not get a new aquatic centre or a secondary school, that's part of the deal of wanting to retain the village atmosphere, while other resources are available in nearby towns.

Another community reference group member, Miranda Bain, said the Woodend township is "the golden egg of the Macedon Ranges and should remain the tourist attraction that it is with its four sister towns of Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Kyneton absorbing the growth and happy to be service towns".

"The town, because of its unique village atmosphere and speciality shops, is a drawcard for tourists and visitors in the region who come to the town to enjoy our warmth and charm that only comes from being a village," Ms Bain said.

MRSC director of planning and environment, Sophie Segafredo said council was delighted with the number of people who attended the workshop and with the contributions that individuals and groups made.

"The notes and feedback received will make a valuable contribution to the preparation of the draft plan, which is the next stage of the project," Ms Segafredo said.

The project team will now commence the preparation of a draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study. It is anticipated that the draft structure plan and neighbourhood character study will be released for public comment in July or August 2013.

Council will accept comments on the discussion paper up to April 30. To view the discussion paper visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au or drop in to one of council's service centres. Comments should be sent to David Nevin, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444 or emailed to strategicplanning@mrsc.vic.gov.au