Tara Murray
Whittlesea council will maintain the rural feel of the Whittlesea township while limiting its expansion as part of a new vision for the town.
The draft Whittlesea Township Strategy 2020 establishes a long-term vision for the Whittlesea township, reflecting the community’s key aspiration for the township, looking to protect the significant attributes of the township that contribute to its distinctive semi-rural character, whilst building upon its opportunities.
The strategy will be used to guide and manage future planning and decision making over the next 15-20 years, subject to its adoption by council.
Community consultation was undertaken with residents providing a number of key messages surrounding the township, housing, transport and infrastructure, increased accommodation and greater variety of shops.
They form the basis of a number of key priorities and actions.
Among the key focuses are protecting the rural character of the town, establishing a clear township boundary, no expansion of the existing Whittlesea township and ongoing protection of agricultural land.
The strategy will support initiatives which grow businesses and encourage shop-top office use in the town centre to encourage local jobs and services, while also enhancing the public realm and improving the character of town centre.
Council will look to implement its housing diversity strategy, including more accommodation for older people.
Transport improvements, including bus services, are also key, while council will look to identify community service and facility gaps.
Among the short term actions in the strategy is investigating the feasibility of preparing a local community plan for the township to increase community connectedness and investigate opportunities to address identified service and facility gaps.
The council will advocate to VicRoads to upgrade the pedestrian crossings at Beech Street and advocate to the state government to establish a clear township boundary around the township generally in accordance with the current General Residential and Low Density Residential Zones.
Council will also investigate opportunities for the adaptive re-use of council-owned assets like the former Whittlesea Courthouse to meet identified social, economic and community needs.
Community consultation is open until December 18.
