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Mirabella’s maiden Senate speech
FRIDAY, February 11, 2022
Page 4
A COUPLE OF RED HOT RODDERS
Tahli set to entertain outdoors
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Tahlia is ‘going places’ Page 19
Sport
GEOFF Hope (left) with his 1934 Chevrolet Master Sedan and fellow hot rodder Brendan Smith with his 1934 Chevy pick–up. Both men are warming their engines for the Wangaratta Rod and Custom Club’s 21st Rod & Custom Show & Shine on Sunday, March 13. Story page 15. PHOTO: Nick Richards
Where will city grow? PRELIMINARY work connected to rezoning new residential land in Wangaratta is being considered for population growth and land supply shortages in the longer term. Wangaratta council has received $80,271 to conduct early analysis of land options for housing in 15-plus years’ time under the Streamlining for Growth annual program. Director of development services Stephen Swart explained that council applied for funding to
Council to start p planning g for p population p ggrowth in 15+ yyears’ time BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
enable them to gather more information revolving around land supply and demand analysis. “It’s about getting the best possible information we can about what is the best land out there from a residential, industrial and commercial point of view, what the demand is for that
land, and what this means for our planning processes,” Mr Swart said. “Some of the planning processes that we go through to rezone land takes some time to do and this is the first step to help us with that analysis. “It will tell us whether we need to do future planning or what we should be looking at so we can be on the front foot as much as possible.” The rezoning of land in growth corridors in the northwest and south
of urban Wangaratta took several years to be completed and these areas were designed to accommodate short to medium term residential population growth. Mr Swart said determining which actual areas of land in the Rural City of Wangaratta would be priorities for rezoning, will be part of the next step after this program’s analysis. The current Wangaratta Planning Scheme identifies land for long-term growth
and future investigation and Mr Swart said that land is to the west of the current northwest growth area. He said it’s not just about residential growth; it’s about making sure there is land for commercial and industrial enterprise to allow for jobs growth as well. “This information will help us plan for 15 years’ time but this definition of long term could differ either side of that timeframe,” he said. The state program is allocating more than $3.2
Grants up to $2,500 now available Applications close February 28th
For information and applications please scan QR code. *Subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
million to local councils facing population growth pressures or land shortages. This year, the program was focused on projects that will support Victoria’s economic recovery and address land supply shortages in regional Victoria and Melbourne’s growth areas. Councils in regional Victoria will receive $2.18 million from this round of funding with 17 rural and regional councils receiving grants.