Moorabool Shire Council is currently in caretaker mode due to upcoming Council elections.
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.
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.
Status: Draft Maddingley Planning Study completed -– The draft planning study was informed by a Background Report (March 2019) and the outcomes of extensive community/stakeholder consultation.
This Interactive Map enables you to search a property or click on an area of interest, to identify the relevant recommended planning principles and planning provisions.
Further community/stakeholder consultation was undertaken on the draft Maddingley Planning Study from 3 May to 1 July 2022. Subsequent consultation was undertaken with government agencies, with a view to refining the planning study’s strategic directions and recommendations. Council is currently determining the next steps for the Maddingley Planning Study project.
Once finalised and adopted by Council, the Maddingley Planning Study will provides the strategic foundation for changes to the Moorabool Planning Scheme that will guide future land use and development within the study area.
For further information visit Council's ‘Have your say’ page.
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.
The Retail Strategy was adopted by Council on 4 September 2024. Preparation of a planning scheme amendment to implement the Retail Strategy is underway.
Retail Strategy(PDF, 29MB)
Retail Strategy Background Report(PDF, 16MB)
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)