Gisborne, Kyneton, Woodend and other Macedon Ranges villages are getting new planning controls as the state government tries to stop them turning into suburbs of Melbourne.
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The state government will introduce new legislation on Wednesday aimed at containing development in the area, which has experienced huge growth in recent years due to its proximity to the city.
New boundaries will be introduced for the townships of Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey, Riddells Creek, Lancefield and Woodend as part of a localised planning statement for the region.
The state government says the legislation will ensure development doesn't encroach on valued natural and rural landscapes.
The Macedon Ranges will be the first place designated as a "distinctive area" under the legislation, with other areas of significance and "outstanding natural beauty" such as the Yarra Ranges, Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula in line for the same controls.
The settlement boundaries will act in a similar way to Melbourne's urban growth boundary, with any changes required to pass through parliament.
Labor promised to restrict development in the Macedon Ranges at the 2014 state election. ABS figures show population in the area has grown 20 per cent in 10 years.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association secretary Christine Pruneau said the community would be watching closely to see what kind of protection the new rules would bring, with an anticipation it would slow down the boom in housing.
She said residents were complaining about growth in the area, which was being hit by an influx of tree changers moving in for the rural lifestyle.
"We've been getting this Melbourne-style cheek-by-jowl stuff that is totally out of character with what the place has looked like," she said.
Increased housing was putting a strain on services and infrastructure, she said, with particularly concern for the water supply to some towns.
"The water that runs off the land is public water supply, it goes into the reservoir. The more houses you put there, the more septic tanks you have running into it, " she said.
The increased development was also having an impact on the surrounding landscape and biodiversity of the region, Ms Pruneau said.
Another worry was that prime farmland and bushfire-prone areas were also being used for housing.
"These new rules have to listen to what the residents want, they don't want this place to become like Melbourne," she said.
"They are absolutely adamant about that, they want the environment protected."
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the "landmark legislation" would lock down treasured natural landscapes that should never be encroached on.
"[It will] encourage development in appropriate areas to ensure townships grow sustainably," he said.
Shire of Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said the council would wait to see the detail of the legislation before commenting, however she added that planning was an important issue for the area.
"You've got to make sure that the reasons people come to live here remain here and that you're not faced with a whole lot of housing in the wrong areas," she said.
