Policy sets course on housing development proposal

RESIDENTIAL land development in Wedderburn is expected on Loddon Shire Council’s agenda within months.

Councillors on Tuesday adopted a land and building development project policy ahead of discussing plans for a sub-division in Ridge Street.

“This policy aims to provide a clear, consistent and merit based approach to considering council land development,” councillors were told in a report.

“The policy supports council’s desire for balanced population growth across the municipality by prioritising development where the private market is not driving growth.” Council could be responsible for market and feasibility analysis, community engagement, rezoning, sub-division, obtaining statutory permits and licences, preparing specifications for services and infrastructure, managing capital works and land sales.

“In the coming months council will be asked to make a decision on the Ridge Street housing development proposal being driven by a local development committee,” the report said.

“Council has been discussing the relative merits of undertaking housing development in areas which do not have private development growth. As a result of community feedback, market pressures and council’s objective to grow the population, Council has discussed undertaking a housing development at Ridge Street, Wedderburn.”

Cr Gavan Holt said: “In some instances there is no appetite from developers in Loddon.”

Cr Holt said accessible housing had been an issue for the shire with its large area, small population and scarce or limited resources.

He said discussions on stage two of the Ridge Street development were at a point where the project could proceed but needed a clear policy that could be applied across the shire.

Cr Holt said council’s policy would not require additional council funds, ward allocations applied to a housing development project if that was the decision of local committees.

Cr Neil Beattie said the new policy was sound and “gives the opportunity to develop housing maybe in a small way but will help our growth”.

The policy says: “Council will treat housing development as an entrepreneurial activity although in some circumstances it may be a direct loss-making activity that has other tangible benefits.”

FIRE restrictions will be lifted in the Loddon Shire from 1am Monday, the CFA said on Tuesday. Restrictions have been progressively lifted across CFA District 20 over the past fortnight with Loddon and Campaspe Shire now being added to the list.

Response on pools

LODDON Shire wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said opening pools on the hottest day after the season had ended “was not deemed a viable option”. She said on Tuesday council had been aware March 19 was going to be a hot day but “was a single hot day in isolation, and in consideration of the work that would be involved to facilitate opening for a single day, this was not deemed a viable option”.

President again

WEDDERBURN College council has re-elected president Carolyn Stevenson and vicepresident Deanne Caserta. New student representatives are Eliza Turnbull ad Pippi Hartnell.