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Bass Coast housing and neighbourhood character strategies open for community feedback from 8 to 16 March 2024
Bass Coast Shire Council initiates community consultations to guide housing development and preserve neighbourhood uniqueness. Project includes Housing Strategy and Neighbourhood Character Study for informed, community-driven decisions.
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.
Initial consultation highlights importance of preserving tree canopy in Bass Coast. Strategy balances medium-density development with canopy protection and growth
Community-centred development
The Neighbourhood Character Study will ensure that future development appropriately responds to the characteristics the community values. 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.
Community consultation
The community consultation phase is now open.
| Community consultations | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 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
| Location | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wonthaggi | Apex Park (Consultation Van) | Friday, 8 March |
| Corinella | Farmers Market (Consultation Van) | Saturday, 9 March |
| Cowes | Night Market (Consultation Van) | Saturday 9, March |
| Cape Paterson | Cape Paterson Community Hall (Consultation Van) | Sunday, 10 March |
| Newhaven | Graydens Reserve (Consultation Van) | Wednesday, 13 March |
| Inverloch | Inverloch Community Market (Consultation Van) | Saturday, 16 March |
Information on the project and a tool to look up how the strategies affect your property can be found at Neighbourhood Character Study and Housing Strategy website. For further information or media enquiries, please contact communications@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
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