Wellington Shire Council has appointed Mesh Planning Consultants to prepare the Maffra Structure Plan (Structure Plan).
About the Maffra Structure Plan
The Maffra Structure Plan will provide a long-term strategic vision to guide future development, land uses, open space areas, infrastructure, better connectivity and define the preferred direction for future growth and how change will be managed.
The Plan will guide decisions about development proposals, investments and infrastructure improvements.
The Maffra Structure Plan will provide a clear and rational planning framework that ensures future development occurs in appropriate locations over the next 20 years.
Once completed, the Structure Plan will be used as a basis for formal changes to the Wellington Planning Scheme through the revised planning provisions which facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the Plan.
Why does Maffra need a Structure Plan?
With development expected to occur in Maffra, the Structure Plan is the required framework to guide the subdivision, development and land use coordination in this area.
Implementing the Maffra Structure Plan will assist Wellington Shire Council to introduce new and updated planning controls that best reflect the context of Maffra, and to identify what infrastructure is required to support a growing population.
Wellington Shire Council has previously prepared the Sale, Wurruk and Longford Structure Plan (2010), the Heyfield Structure Plan (2011) and the Rosedale Structure Plan (2012). Copies of these can be found online.
The Process
The Maffra Structure Plan project will involve the following phases:
- Phase 1 (In Progress) Inception and Project Planning
- Phase 2 (In Progress) Background Research
- Phase 3 Discussion Paper
- Phase 4 Draft Maffra Structure Plan
- Phase 5 Final Maffra Structure Plan and Implementation Project
Current Status
Phase 3 of the Maffra Structure Plan process is now in progress with extensive background research and analysis having been completed. It is anticipated that a Discussion Paper will be available to view on Council’s website in March 2021.
The purpose of the discussion paper will be to:
- Outline the why the Structure Plan is being prepared for Maffra;
- Summarise the background analysis and findings, and ‘what we know so far’;
- Identify important features, challenges and considerations, including any key infrastructure constraints to development;
- Set aspirations for housing, commercial, retail, community infrastructure and employment - taking into account housing development supply and demand; and
- Spatially articulate the vision, key challenges and considerations, and emerging directions for Maffra that will be further explored within the Draft Structure Plan.
Comments and feedback received from the exhibition of the Discussion Paper will, where appropriate, be used to guide and inform the preparation of the draft Maffra Structure Plan.
Opportunities/Feedback
A critical component of the structure planning process involves community input about how Maffra should evolve.
Throughout the Maffra Structure Plan process there will be opportunities for residents to provide feedback (including face-to-face community sessions when COVID-19 restrictions allow).
Please continue to check back for opportunities to comment, or you may send any initial comments via email (titled ‘Maffra Structure Plan’) to planning@wellington.vic.gov.au.
Next Steps
Wellington Shire Council and Mesh Planning will continue to undertake background research and analysis with further information on the Maffra Structure Plan project, including public consultation and community engagement sessions available once COVID-19 restrictions have eased.
Further Information
If you have any further questions regarding the Maffra Structure Plan project, or would like to be placed on the correspondence list, please contact the Strategic Planning Department on 1300 366 244 or email planning@wellington.vic.gov.au.