Adoption of the Miners Rest Township Plan will be considered at the December 11 Ballarat City Council meeting.
The plan provides a long-term vision for the township and an action plan to meet it.
The plan’s development began in early 2017 with extensive community consultation, with the draft plan released for comment in August 2018.
Council decided to defer the plan’s adoption and undertake further consultation and resolve some outstanding issues throughout 2019.
Council officers have worked closely with the community over the last year to work through a number of outstanding issues to ensure that the plan reflects the values and aspirations of local residents.
Some of these issues and their resolutions included:
Dowling Forest Racecourse Precinct – Council has recently voted to undertake a planning scheme amendment to make sure the precinct’s planning controls support and protect its significant equine industry.
Northern Growth Investigation Area – Council recently voted to start planning for this growth area, which is located to the south east of Miners Rest and abuts the township plan area. The planning process will take about five years and will ensure any new development complements and reinforces Miners Rest as a stand-alone township.
Safeguarding Ballarat Airport – The Township Plan recognises the importance of safeguarding Ballarat Airport’s long-term viability and potential future expansion from incompatible land use and development on surrounding land.
Saleyards development – Council is working closely with the EPA and Central Victorian Livestock Exchange to ensure that the community’s concerns about odour and other impacts from operations of the facility are resolved.
Miners Rest Primary School redevelopment – The plan recommends criteria for a new school site selection if the State Government decides to build on a different location than the current school.
Miners Rest North character protection – In response to strong support from the community, protection for the character of the original township will be strengthened through new planning controls.
Town centre design guidelines and development – The plan includes a recommendation to develop a true town centre/village centre to provide a town focal point for the community.
Flood mitigation and Burrumbeet Creek rehabilitation – High priority flood mitigation planning has begun that includes rehabilitation works along Burrumbeet Creek. This is an alternative to the high flow bypass channel that was in an earlier plan version.
Shared path loop trail – A shared path loop trail will provide a fantastic recreational opportunity for the community. Development of this trail is an immediate priority, with design work underway
Future Miners Rest sports facility – Provision of a local sports facility is a key community priority. It is understood the upgraded school will include a local community sports facility, but details have not yet been released by the Victorian Government. The plan supports development of this facility on land between Miners Rest and MacArthur Park and provides some options for thisto proceed.
Miners Rest Township future growth – Miners Rest growth should be accommodated by infill development, with approximately 12.5 years of available supply. The northern growth area will relieve the need for further greenfield land allocation around the township.
Proposed rezoning of 415 Cummins Road and Lot 1 Lindsays Road – Rezoning this land from farming to residential is not justified at this time due to airport safeguarding and modelled noise impacts, subject to review in the future if airport plans are certain.
Former Boral Quarry land rezoning – Ongoing discussions are being held with the quarry owners about its rezoning to residential use.
If adopted, a future planning scheme amendment would be carried out to include the Township Plan into the Ballarat Planning Scheme.
It is also proposed Council officers report on the Township Plan’s implementation progress within five years.
