Have your say on draft Gisborne Futures plans

Have your say on draft Gisborne Futures plans

Published on 24 July 2020

Council is urging local residents to get involved and share their views during consultation on Gisborne Futures – a sustainable vision for how this regional township will grow and develop in the future.

Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce said a fresh consultation phase would run from 27 July until 14 September 2020 and information updates on Gisborne Futures draft plans would be available online.

“Gisborne Futures provides critical planning tools to guide sustainable growth and development of Gisborne area over the next 30 years, so it is vital residents of all ages have a chance to have their say,” Cr Pearce said.

“A series of webinars will lead interactive activities designed to check if issues raised in previous consultations in recent years fairly reflects our community’s future priorities.

“Council has incorporated what we understand residents have told us so far about how they want to live, work, keep active and healthy and move around the Gisborne area, and what they believe are important aspects to consider. Now it is their turn to let us know if we have got the balance right.”

Cr Pearce said interested residents would be able to participate in the consultation process in a number of ways.

“They can view the proposed plan and framework drafts on our website, read the summary booklet provided in local newspapers and around town, complete an online survey or make a written submission.

“This is an important time for decision-making on Gisborne’s future. We encourage everyone to participate and hope to receive a range of community feedback, opinions and ideas from all residents. This is the first of further draft consultations that will occur to ensure this document reflects the future direction and vision for Gisborne and the Macedon Ranges Shire.”

The Gisborne Futures project includes:

A long term Structure Plan that guides future township growth, including housing, transport, shops, parks, landscapes and infrastructure. An Urban Design Framework that will shape the streets and buildings in the town centre, and A Neighbourhood Character Study that will guide new housing development and protect the semi-rural “feel” of the area.

Gisborne is an attractive regional township close to Melbourne that is identified in State Planning Policy as a peri-urban centre with capacity for growth. Council is seeking ways to increase housing diversity, choice and affordability and better cater for a changing and growing community.

The Gisborne Futures project will set a protected urban settlement boundary for Gisborne and identify future land uses for retail, employment, housing and community services to meet the growing needs of the town.

Director Planning and Environment, Angela Hughes said Macedon Ranges Shire was implementing the necessary planning tools to protect Gisborne’s neighbourhood and landscape character values.

“These remain a high priority for local residents,” Ms Hughes said. “We want to make sure that further residential and commercial growth is innovative, sustainable and provides positive outcomes for the Gisborne township and community.

“Council is also working to making sure future developments contribute financially to fund community and infrastructure upgrades in line with the rate of population growth.”

Ms Hughes said large-scale forums and public meetings were not possible at this time, but the project team will deliver publications, targeted webinars, videos and a survey to encourage public comment.

Have your say

To find out more and have your say, see Be a part of Gisborne's future

One-on-one online or phone discussions are available. Submissions close 14 September 2020.

Background

Council’s draft Gisborne Futures Structure Plan, Urban Design Framework and Neighbourhood Character Study have been developed based on expert advice, best practice planning and urban design principles and community feedback gathered through previous phases of consultation.

The project also aims to improve and manage vehicle, cycle and pedestrian traffic, enable economic development and future employment opportunities, provide for open space linkages and to protect important views and landscape features.

To strengthen integrated planning outcomes, Council included further work on the Gisborne Business Park expansion area into Gisborne Futures in December 2019. Council will consider the Gisborne Business Park and as part of the implementation of Gisborne Futures project.

On 24 June 2020, Council endorsed the draft Gisborne Structure Plan, draft Gisborne Urban Design Framework and draft Gisborne Neighbourhood Character Study for community consultation.

Land located east of the township at 284 Kilmore Road, Gisborne, known as Glen Junor, is now included in proposed settlement area of the draft Gisborne Structure Plan.

For community consultation purposes, the opportunity to establish more shops and services east of the existing town boundary has been identified on this land in the draft Gisborne Structure Plan.