Marong's booming population and the effect it has on the town's infrastructure headlines the Marong and Districts Community Plan 2018-2022.
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Prepared by the Marong Community Action Group, the plan focuses on the the aspects of the town which the community has deemed as important for future liveability in Marong.
MCAG president Heather Wearne said some of the group’s visions were long-term goals, but they needed to be highlighted now.
“We have great community infrastructure, we just need to learn to work together so that we support each other, the strength is in unity,” Mrs Wearne said.
Marong’s rapid growth had reflected the need for the residents and the Community Action Group to work together to create the plan for the town’s vision.
“We need to work together and focus on building the next layer of infrastructure in Marong which is a retail precinct,” she said.
The City of Greater Bendigo and the Marong Community Action Group have welcomed the input and involvement from residents in the activities and projects outlined in the Marong and Districts Community Plan 2018-2022.
Deputy mayor councillor Jennifer Alden said the plan was an opportunity for residents to come together over a period of time to work with the MCAG to develop their ideas into a set of goals.
“It encompasses future focused thinking,” Cr Alden said.
“A theme of the plan focuses on valuing and protecting our natural environment and setting, when you come into Marong there are magnificent old gum trees.”
When discussing liveability in the town Cr Alden acknowledged the increase of young families in the area.
“People are attracted for various reasons and it’s often about the sense of community and the types of activities that happen,” Cr Alden said.
“There are a lot of young families here which is similar to other rapidly growing areas of Bendigo.
“Often there is a need to think forward for what these communities will need once their children are older as they progress from commencing pre-school and primary and how the children are going to move around in the community.”
Marong resident Laurie Dean would like to see more public transport in the town for ease of transport to and from the area.
“I would also to like to see more infrastrucutre in the town such as a supermarket, bakery and a chemist,” Mr Dean said.
“If they aren’t going to open the railway we could change it into a walking and bike track for the town.”
Lockwood ward resident Michael Carty said it was important to increase the size of the schools and bus services to meet the rapid growth of the town.
“There are a lot of young children and elderly people in the community, so if they were able to catch a frequent bus into Bendigo it would make their lives a lot easier,” Mr Carty said.
Greg Toomey from the Marong Cricket and Footballs clubs would like to see the second oval at Malone Park upgraded to enable an increase in the amount of sport that can be played at the facility.
“With the growth in the community and the teams, we might be able to get a second ground operating to spread the load,” Mr Toomey said.
MCAG preisdent Heather Wearne said there was also a project working with the support of the COGB and other community groups to put together a Marong emergency plan.
To get involved with any projects or activities contact the Marong Community Action Group at www.facebook.com/MarongCAG or the City of Greater Bendigo at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au.