Current strategic planning projects

Council develops strategic projects in collaboration with industry experts and active involvement from the local community. By combining this expertise and engagement, we can implement initiatives that effectively address community needs while fostering sustainable growth and development for our region.

The projects that are currently underway at council can be found below.

 Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan

The Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan builds on the best of the Bacchus Marsh Town Centre, establishing a framework for guiding land use and development within the Town Centre over the next 15 years, including unlocking key development sites and a civic precinct. The town centre should become an attractive and vibrant hub where people shop, work, meet, relax and live.

Implementation will include changes to the Moorabool Planning Scheme to deliver the shared vision. There are also ongoing actions to be undertaken by Council including projects to be considered for funding in future budgets.

The Structure Plan was adopted by Council on 11 September 2024. Preparation of a planning scheme amendment to implement the Structure Plan is underway.

Bacchus Marsh Town Centre Structure Plan(PDF, 34MB)

Maddingley Planning Study

The Maddingley Planning Study (Centrum, October 2025(PDF, 26MB)) was adopted by Council on 17 December 2025

The Maddingley Planning Study:

  • explores options for future land uses in a large area to the south of Bacchus Marsh including the State significant Maddingley Waste and Resource Recovery Hub (resource recovery, coal mining, landfill and composting), farming activities and existing industrial areas in the west of the study area
  • provides the strategic basis for changes to the Moorabool Planning Scheme that will be progressed in three phases over coming decades and will guide the evolution of the area into an employment centre serving the Bacchus Marsh region.

The Study was informed by a Background Report (March 2019) and the outcomes of community/stakeholder consultation as well as input from relevant government agencies. 

Council has prepared amendment C119moor to the Moorabool Planning Scheme, which proposes is to introduce local planning policy and an associated framework plan identifying potential future land uses in the Maddingley Framework Plan area, consistent with the recommendations of the Study.

Amendment C119moor is currently on exhibition until 8 June 2026. Details about the amendment including all amendment documents can be found on Council’s Have Your Say webpage 

or

Department of Transport and Planning website 

 

 

Moorabool Retail Strategy

The Retail Strategy sets out Council’s vision for a retail hierarchy across the Shire. As Moorabool Shire grows, new retail activity centres will be required to serve everyday shopping needs and to provide central locations which promote community interaction. Existing centres will also require support and enhancement.

A retail strategy is necessary to ensure Council is setting clear expectations for developers and investors, and to provide strategic justification for future planning scheme controls which will guide appropriate retail centre development. The Strategy will assist in discussions and assessment of applications (both planning scheme amendments and planning permits) for new retail and activity centre proposals, including those relating to the proposed new growth precincts in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.

Retail Strategy(PDF, 29MB)

Retail Strategy Background Report(PDF, 16MB)

The Retail Strategy was adopted by Council on 4 September 2024. Planning scheme amendment C115moor to implement the Retail Strategy is currently being considdered. Further details about the amendment including all amendment documents can be found on Council’s Have Your Say webpage Click Here

or

on the Department of Transport and Planning website Click Here.

 

Rural Land Use Strategy

The Rural Land Use Strategy (RLUS) provides a strategic framework to guide decision making on the use and development of rural land within the Shire.  As a fast-growing peri-urban municipality located close to metropolitan Melbourne, rural and farming land in Moorabool is under significant pressure.

Lack of clear policy direction on rural land including in the local policy framework, has limited Council’s ability to effectively manage competing interests, particularly at the interface of Rural Living and Farming Zone areas, to address challenges of land use conflicts, land fragmentation and biodiversity and landscape impacts.   

The Rural Land Use Strategy will: 

  • Provide a comprehensive policy response to address the competing issues and interests in rural areas.

  • Find an appropriate balance between the need to protect agricultural land from inappropriate land uses, while addressing demand for those seeking a rural lifestyle. 

  • Protect landscape values while respecting environmental hazards and considering the impacts of climate change 

The RLUS was adopted by Council on 11 September 2024.  Preparation of a planning scheme amendment to implement the RLUS is underway.

Rural Land Use Strategy(PDF, 58MB)

Rural Land Use Strategy Issues Opportunities Paper(PDF, 49MB)

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