GREATER Bendigo councillors have adopted a plan that will redevelop Marong for a growing population.
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Cr Jennifer Alden told the council meeting on Wednesday night the Marong Township Structure Plan would focus on residential growth, the town centre, and any associated infrastructure.
A report into the plan also noted the city was considering a portion of land south of Marong to become an industrial park.
The report said the city had been investigating a number of sites for industrial land since residents and the state government opposed the Marong Business Park plan in 2018.
The original business park site was north-west of the Marong township, but the report identified south of the town as a potential place for a new industrial park.
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Cr Alden said there still needed to be further detailed work and community consultation before any location was selected.
"It was deemed important to reference potential work in the future, including a potential industrial precinct and alternative freight routes as part of the broader industrial land strategy," Cr Alden said.
"This will assist future employment and prosperity for residents and other community members, and it's going to be the subject of much work developed in the future."
Mayor Margaret O'Rourke noted council would not be making a decision on the industrial park at the meeting on Wednesday night.
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Cr Alden and Cr Matt Emond also noted there was no plan for a toxic waste dump in Marong.
Cr Rod Fyffe commended the Marong Township Structure Plan and said it showed how the region could grow.
"This leads to a better and more co-ordinated approach to the development of Marong," he said. "That is something that the community has been asking for for quite some time."
Cr Fyffe said the potential industrial park could bring jobs to the Marong community, but he noted the idea was still in its early stages.
"We certainly are making sure that this community develops in a way that is matching their aspirations," he said.
Councillors unanimously decided to support the Marong Township Structure Plan.