THE State Government has assured Macedon Ranges Council that strategic plans such as the shire’s settlement strategy will be left to local government.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy met council officials, individuals and groups last Wednesday on topics such as building on farming zones, the settlement strategy, wind farms and planning reform.
His comments on strategic planning come as the shire hopes to ratify its 25-year growth settlement strategy next month.
“I will consider the settlement strategy if and when it is presented to the Government,” Mr Guy said.
He said restrictions to building dwellings in farming zones would soon be eased.
Len Thompson of the Macedon Ranges Landowners Committee welcomed Mr Guy’s statement.
“We have always maintained that if you own land, you should be able to build on it,” Mr Thompson said. Hundreds of landowners who own land up to 40ha zoned farming have been unable to build on it since changes to planning zones in 2006.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association, which has pushed for the region’s environmental significance to be recognised, also met the minister.
Association secretary Christine Pruneau said she hoped that a calmer model of growth she called the “Woodend way” would be enshrined in the Macedon Ranges. “When you walk into towns here, you do not feel you are in a suburb of Melbourne, and that should be maintained,” she said. “It’s now up to the council to listen to the views of the community.”
Woodend Integrated Sustainability Group met Mr Guy over a push for a community wind farm there. The council also sought clarification on the urban growth zone, maintaining a shire green belt, and developer contributions.
COMMENT: “It’s now up to the council to listen to the views of the community.”
Planning Minister Matthew Guy met council officials, individuals and groups last Wednesday on topics such as building on farming zones, the settlement strategy, wind farms and planning reform.
His comments on strategic planning come as the shire hopes to ratify its 25-year growth settlement strategy next month.
“I will consider the settlement strategy if and when it is presented to the Government,” Mr Guy said.
He said restrictions to building dwellings in farming zones would soon be eased.
Len Thompson of the Macedon Ranges Landowners Committee welcomed Mr Guy’s statement.
“We have always maintained that if you own land, you should be able to build on it,” Mr Thompson said. Hundreds of landowners who own land up to 40ha zoned farming have been unable to build on it since changes to planning zones in 2006.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association, which has pushed for the region’s environmental significance to be recognised, also met the minister.
Association secretary Christine Pruneau said she hoped that a calmer model of growth she called the “Woodend way” would be enshrined in the Macedon Ranges. “When you walk into towns here, you do not feel you are in a suburb of Melbourne, and that should be maintained,” she said. “It’s now up to the council to listen to the views of the community.”
Woodend Integrated Sustainability Group met Mr Guy over a push for a community wind farm there. The council also sought clarification on the urban growth zone, maintaining a shire green belt, and developer contributions.
COMMENT: “It’s now up to the council to listen to the views of the community.”
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