Gisborne’s future will include apartment living and transit-oriented development in New Gisborne with a view to preventing urban sprawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week Macedon Ranges Shire Council adopted the long-debated Gisborne Futures Structure Plan to shape the town’s next 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan introduces a protected settlement boundary aimed to preserve rural landscapes and maintain rural breaks between townships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where that line was to be drawn has long been a point of contention in the community, with councillors removing a proposed housing development known as Glen Junor back in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Glen Junor is located between Gisborne and Riddells Creek to the east, there is also the Ross Watt development to the west and Willowbank in the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed boundary instead provides an opportunity for transit-oriented development in New Gisborne between the train line and Hamilton Road. It would include a neighbourhood activity centre and allow for three-storey buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The feedback is as diverse as you could imagine,” Cr Christine Walker said. “We’ve read submissions that are diametrically opposed.”
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“Council has decided to aim for its distinct district townships rather than merging of towns by constant spreading \u2013 imagine Riddells Creek joining up to Gisborne. This structure plan introduces a town boundary that will limit sprawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are planning for different sorts of housing to become available. There are plans for apartments. We’re also providing community facilities, which are in very short supply in Gisborne.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The structure plan was developed over the past several years and included four phases of community consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cr Dom Bonanno said deciding a protected settlement boundary “as soon as possible” was important.
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“Who knows what the current state government will do if they get their hands on our town without a protected settlement boundary. It is important we get this down before we we’re told what the boundary will be,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There has been a lot of discussion about density but, if we truly wish to have sustainable housing models, then increased housing densities near a train station can provide the critical mass to support neighbourhood activity centres and local employment opportunities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cr Rob Guthrie was the only councillor to oppose adopting the plan in its current form, siting concerns with density that would “destroy the area”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That level of density may be appropriate in an inner-city metropolitan Melbourne but is completely out of character for us in a rural area,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mayor Annette Death said thinking about levels of medium density was “a big change” for the Ranges but was done with consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“New Gisborne is the area that provides that provides the opportunity to protect what we have in Gisborne township at the moment, and to have a new innovative way of thinking about how we can provide housing diversity,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s really important that the community is assured we have put considerable thought into what that built form will look like into the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The council will now write to the Planning Minister to incorporate a protected settlement boundary for Gisborne. The process is expected to include further community consultation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further work will take place in planning for Gisborne including urban design framework, planning overlays and neighbourhood character study.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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