This is just one of the features included in a new Toolamba and Old Toolamba Structure Plan that was approved by councillors at the Greater Shepparton City Council April meeting.
Councillors endorsed the plan that sees a strategic framework for the future of the towns for the next 10 to 20 years.
The plan identifies the west and south of the township as the most suitable areas for expansion based on updated assessments of bushfire risk, flooding and biodiversity.
In a report to the meeting, council officers said a key direction of the structure plan was that any future development would need to be supported by sewerage infrastructure and should focus on Toolamba over Old Toolamba.
The two towns currently rely on septic systems on all properties.
However, the provision of reticulated sewerage services would enable residential development at a higher density, but would still avoid lot sizes inconsistent with established development patterns in the area.
The plan suggests lot sizes for Toolamba and Old Toolamba to range from 800 square metres to 1200 sq m, with larger lots of up to 2000 sq m positioned at the township edges.
The plan has also taken in flooding issues faced in the area, especially during the 2022 floods, as well as fire risk feedback from the CFA, with development to be avoided in hazard-prone areas.
Cr Anthony Brophy said Toolamba was a community that was expanding, and he was pleased that this was a restructured structure plan, revised after council held community meetings and received written feedback from community members who were concerned about density issues.
Cr Sam Spinks also praised the community for attending meetings about the earlier draft plan.
“It was a great turnout from the community for consultation,” she said.
“It gave us the opportunity to hear what they wanted for the town.”
Cr Geoff Akers described it as “exciting” for the town, especially with the ability to provide town sewerage to any new houses.
9°C