Toolamba was identified as an area of future growth in the Greater Shepparton Housing Strategy 2011. Although past growth has been gradual, a number of landowners have indicated that they wish to rezone and subdivide substantial tracts of land to the west of Toolamba in the coming years.
In addition, Stage 3 of the construction of the Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton Bypass includes an interchange at Bridge Road, Toolamba. Although construction timeframes are yet-to-be-determined, the potential impacts of residential demand increases the importance of ensuring that growth in the Toolamba townships is appropriate and sustainable.
Ethos Urban Pty Ltd was appointed to prepare the Draft Toolamba Growth Plan in February 2019. Pre-draft consultation was conducted in May 2019, and the resulting Conversation Report can also be downloaded from Council’s website.
Greater Shepparton City Council Director Sustainable Development, Geraldine Christou, said residents’ feedback is an important component of the Draft Growth Plan. “There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into consideration in planning for the future, so having the community’s ‘on the ground’ perspective is imperative to maximise collective benefits and minimise potential issues,” she said.
Following the consultation period, the Draft Growth Plan will be revised to reflect comments received before being considered for adoption by Council in mid-2020.
Comments can also be submitted via email to council@shepparton.vic.gov.au, by post to Greater Shepparton City Council, Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton VIC 3632, or through the website. Council officers will also be conducting a community drop-in session and individual meetings in January 2020.
For more information on the Draft Toolamba Growth Plan, contact the Building and Planning Department on 03 5832 9730.
