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.
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| 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
