ALPINE Shire Council is developing a Rural Directions Strategy to guide future use and development of rural land, including rural settlements, across the municipality.
Rural landowners and users are invited to contribute to an Issues and Opportunities Paper, which will inform the strategy around how rural land is protected, used, subdivided and developed in the future, and will include a review of current rural planning controls.
Community members can have their say through a 10-minute survey (visit https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/alpine-rural-directions-strategy), or attend in-person or online workshops in June.
According to council, rural land generated $72 million in economic value across Alpine Shire in 2021 and supported 10 per cent of local jobs.
It says its Rural Directions Strategy will have a focus on balancing the need to identify and protect productive farmland and natural landscapes, while providing opportunities for emerging rural employment opportunities.
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Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, said the Issues and Opportunities Paper has been developed to highlight key challenges and opportunities for rural land in Alpine Shire, and it will be used to inform the development of a future Rural Directions Strategy.
She said the paper is part one of two rounds of community engagement and focuses on areas where there is pressure between different uses - such as farming, tourism, industry, and housing.
Mayor Nicholas encouraged rural landowners and users, as well as other members of Alpine Shire communities, to contribute to the development of the Rural Directions Strategy by reviewing and providing feedback on the issues paper.
"We understand that there can be pressure between the different uses of rural land and this is an opportunity to identify planning controls to help manage potential conflict," she said.
Community members can help shape the Rural Directions Strategy by filling out a survey, joining both in-person and online workshops in June, or putting forward a written submission to council's strategic planning team by 20 June.
The on-line workshop is at 6pm - 7pm, Tuesday, 10 June (register on council website).
The in-person workshops are:
- 10.30am - 12.30pm, Wednesday, 11 June at Dederang Recreation Reserve Multipurpose Room;
- 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Wednesday, 11 June at Porepunkah Hall;
- 2pm – 4pm, Thursday, 12 June at Myrtleford Senior Citizens' Centre.
