Councillors to vote on future shape of Miners Rest

The Miners Rest Township Plan has been almost three years in the making, with discussions between the community and the strategic planners beginning in early 2017.

The plan is designed to set the tone for future development in the area, which is one of the fastest growing in the municipality.

The shape of residential developments, the design of the town centre, the mitigation of flood risks from nearby Burrumbeet Creek and an outline for the provision of sports facilities are all included in the plan.

Consideration of the plan has been deferred twice with councillors agreeing further discussion was still required.

There have been several amendments since a draft plan was first put forward.

For example, planning controls in the Dowling Forest Equine Precinct were still under discussion when the plan was last before council in April. Councillors approved planning changes to the precinct in October, which will ease some restrictions on land use.

"[The plan] has had a very long gestation and there has been substantial community involvement," said Cr Grant Tillett, who has tracked discussions between council and Miners Rest residents closely.

He said the lengthy process was likely to benefit everyone in the long-term: "Personally I believe planning processes should be negotiated to the end by the community and the planners. That means all the issues of concern on both sides have been addressed."

If the plan is adopted, it will be the first strategic plan outlined for Miners Rest since 1994.

The area has expanded rapidly since then. According to the 2016 census, there were 4,430 people living in Miners Rest, an increase of 11 per cent since 2011. Projections suggest it could grow by almost a third by 2036.

See how Miners Rest has grown in 15 years with this slider.

The plan suggests there is enough available space to cater for the next 12.5 years of residential developments in an area where almost half of households include children - considerably higher than the Ballarat average.

The options for the expansion of Miners Rest Primary School - due for state-funded expansion works - are also considered in the plan. It also recognises of the importance of Ballarat Airport and community concerns over the impact of the saleyards, which opened last year.

If councillors approve the plan, it would be worked into the Ballarat Planning Scheme.

In the officer report printed on the agenda, it explains the plan would be exhibited during the process to amend the planning scheme and could be refined during that time.

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