Bass Coast Shire Council is opening a round of community consultations aimed at shaping the future of housing and preserving the unique character of our neighbourhoods.
The Housing and Neighbourhood Character project includes a Housing Strategy, which outlines the types of homes needed and their ideal locations over the next 15 years across Bass Coast. It also includes a Neighbourhood Character Study, focusing on the aesthetics and design principles that contribute to the distinct identity of our townships. The Neighbourhood Character Study will ensure that future development appropriately responds to the characteristics the community value.
Our first round of consultation reinforced retaining and enhancing tree canopy as a critical aspect of neighbourhood character in Bass Coast. As a result of this, a Residential Canopy Cover Improvement Strategy has also been prepared. This strategy strives to strike a balance between the imperative for a shift to medium-density development, identified in the Housing Strategy, and protecting and increasing the canopy trees in our towns.
The community consultation phase is now open.
- Informing the Community: Providing comprehensive information about the HANC project, its goals, and the significance of the proposed strategies.
- Neighbourhood Character Reflection: Seeking input on whether the existing and preferred neighbourhood character descriptions align with the reality on the ground.
- Suitability of Proposed Housing Change Areas: Soliciting community feedback on the appropriateness and location of the identified change areas.
- Reviewing Canopy Cover Strategies: Engaging the community in a discussion about improving canopy cover in medium density development.
- Feedback for Finalisation: Notifying the community that their valuable feedback will be instrumental in finalising the strategies, which will then form the basis of a planning scheme amendment.
Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve emphasised the importance of community involvement and genuine collaboration in shaping the future of Bass Coast, saying, “This is a pivotal moment for our community. We encourage everyone to actively participate in the consultation process and help us create vibrant and sustainable neighbourhoods filled with character and driven by community aspirations”.
Community Consultation Dates
Wonthaggi
Friday, 8 March
Apex Park (Consultation Van)
Corinella
Saturday, 9 March
Farmers Market (Consultation Van)
Cowes
Saturday 9, March
Night Market (Consultation Van)
Cape Paterson
Sunday, 10 March
Cape Paterson Community Hall (Consultation Van)
Newhaven
Wednesday, 13 March
Graydens Reserve (Consultation Van)
Inverloch
Saturday, 16 March
Inverloch Community Market (Consultation Van)
Information on the project and a tool to look up how the strategies affect your property can be found at https://engage,basscoast.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoodcharacterhousing
