Vol. No. Vol. 2618No. 2227
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Wednesday, January 29, 13, 2023 2016 Wednesday, November
OMINOUS: Caleb Heinrich, 13, captured storm clouds rolling in over his family farm at Rainbow last week as farmers worked around the clock to harvest as much crop as possible before the storm arrived. Areas across the Wimmera have recorded up to 70 millimetres of rain since Thursday night. The wet weather has halted harvest across the region as farmers wait for warm weather and wind to dry crops before they get back into headers. Meanwhile, some businesses and homes were damaged by heavy rain. Stories, page 3 and AgLife.
WE
ARARAT
Future vision
Shopping A Spree
BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
transformation plan for central Horsham seeks to address housing diversity and commercial investment across key sites.
This Friday, December 1
FEATURE INSIDE
Horsham Rural City Council’s draft Horsham City Urban Renewal Project would transform the current council depot site in Selkirk Drive, which is due to relocate to Plumpton Road in 2025; the area north of Selkirk Drive and south of Wilson Street; and the area encompassing Firebrace, Madden and Baker streets. The three precincts are considered key to providing housing close to
amenities and services, activating commercial development around Wilson and Firebrace streets and improving access to public open space connection to the Wimmera River. The council has released the draft plan for public comment until February 9. Councillor Claudia Haenel said the draft plan addressed a ‘very urgent’ need. State Government projections for Horsham’s urban area had forecast the population would increase from 16,660 residents in 2021 to 17,469 in 2036 – though rates of growth between 2019 and 2021 exceeded this
projection. A continued reduction in average household size is expected due to demographic factors, which has implications for demand, especially low maintenance and smaller dwellings. It means Horsham will require almost 900 additional dwellings by 2036, equating to an average of 60 new dwellings a year. “As we can see when we look at the designs, there are some great opportunities to address the housing situation we are all facing – both here and nationally,” Cr Haenel said. “There are single and up to threestorey offerings and even a new street created to address both the housing
and amenity through our liveability areas. “These offerings are close to city centre services and the natural beauty of the Wimmera River and Botanic Gardens.” The council started the project work in 2021. Consultation has occurred across the past 12 months with key stakeholders including the Victorian Planning Authority, which has co-funded the draft plan, along with landowners, businesses, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, GWMWater and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Continued page 5
IN THIS ISSUE • Kannamaroo festival fun • Monthly AgLife • Stawell Golf Club milestone Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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SANTA ARRIVES DEC 1