SOME Huntly residents will be forced to pay more for infrastructure development if councillors adopt a new plan for the growing region at this month's council meeting.
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The City of Greater Bendigo will consider a recommendation to introduce a Huntly Development Contributions Plan Overlay to the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.
The proposed plan would apply to the growth area north of the Huntly town centre on the eastern side of the Midland Highway, with at least 30 properties affected across 247 hectares of land.
If developers or land owners within the area were to develop their land, they would each need to contribute funds to the DCP based on the amount of land they own.
A report to council showed the Huntly growth area was expected to provide for 6000 people and would require more than $23.8 million in infrastructure.
The Huntly DCP was expected to provide more than seven kilometres of cycling and pedestrian links, new roads, district play space and improved intersections.
Although Viewpoint Estate falls within the proposed DCP area, the city said residents would not be affected because the developer had already made a contribution to council.
There are six private properties outside of the DCP area that would be affected by the design of an upgraded intersection.
The City said they would be in discussions with the landowners regarding future land purchase by agreement.
Two Crown land properties - one of which is reserved to Coliban Water - would also be affected by the changes.
If Council supports the recommendation, the City will request the Minister for Planning to commence the process to amend the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.
The DCP amendment would then be placed on exhibition for public consultation.
At that point, all property owners within the proposed plan overlay, and those who have property that may be impacted from future infrastructure, would be notified in writing.
Other matters
The council will also consider adopting the City of Greater Bendigo Heritage Gap Analysis at the next meeting.
The report has identified a range of geographical and typological gaps in current heritage protection under the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.
It found there were significant locality gaps, including the ex-Shire of Huntly and urban areas of the ex-Shire of Strathfieldsaye.
The Eaglehawk and Bendigo Heritage Study 1993 - the largest heritage study - was also deemed to be out of date and in need of updating.
The main recommendations of the report were to prepare an on-going consultation program, undertake a number of internal research tasks, review the Eaglehawk and Bendigo Heritage Study, and undertake priority studies for miners' cottages, Huntly township, and the Flora Hill/Spring Gully area.
The council will discuss the matter at the next meeting on Wednesday, August 21.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
