Bannockburn Growth Plan

Amendment C94gpla to the Golden Plains Planning Scheme

Amendment C94gpla introduced the Bannockburn Growth Plan into the Golden Plains Planning Scheme. The Amendment was approved by the Minister for Planning and gazetted on 17 September 2021.

To view a copy of the approved amendment documentation, including the Bannockburn Growth Plan, refer to:

About the Bannockburn Growth Plan

The Bannockburn Growth Plan (Growth Plan) guides the sustainable growth of Bannockburn to the year 2050. The Growth Plan identifies where and when future housing will be developed. It also identifies what infrastructure is needed to support the growing community, such as roads and community facilities, and land for employment and retail.

Background information

A growth plan identifies locations for new housing, jobs, infrastructure and services for an urban area. A growth plan:

  • guides sustainable growth and development over the long term
  • identifies the steps needed to manage growth
  • defines key projects and infrastructure required to support growth
  • provides a more certain environment for making both public and private investment decisions.

A growth plan is used to guide more detailed local planning work.

Bannockburn is one of the fastest growing towns in regional Victoria. The population is expected to reach more than 13,000 people by 2036, but there’s a shortage of land available to develop for new houses. The growth plan will identify the most appropriate land for houses and ensure the infrastructure is provided to support these new homes.

Bannockburn is the largest town in Golden Plains Shire. The Victorian Government and Council see it as an ideal place to support Golden Plains’ growing population, thanks to its existing infrastructure and amenity.

In addition to identifying land that is suitable for new homes, the Bannockburn Growth Plan will identify land for jobs and ensure land with environmental values is protected. This will ensure that Bannockburn develops in a sustainable way.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is preparing the Bannockburn Growth Plan with Golden Plains Shire Council (Council). The VPA is a Victorian government body that undertakes strategic planning and coordinates infrastructure for the future growth and transformation of Victoria’s cities and regions. The VPA and Council will work closely with other state government agencies and the community to plan for Bannockburn’s vibrant future.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is a State Government statutory authority that reports to the Victorian Minister for Planning and acts as the state’s strategic planner.

The VPA’s main task is to make sure Melbourne and Victoria’s regions remain a great places to work and live. This requires vision and long-term planning, to ensure Victorians have equitable access to employment, public transport, attractive public space and affordable housing for our growing population.

The Minister for Planning has appointed the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) to lead this project from conception through to finalisation. Throughout all steps of the project we will be working in partnership with the council, state government agencies and local community members to ensure the growth plan considers and reflects their input.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is working in partnership with Golden Plains Shire Council to consider the infrastructure and service needs of areas that might accommodate new homes and jobs. Once the growth plan is finalised and in the planning scheme, council will take over the project and be responsible for putting the plan into action.

Growth Plan

No. The growth plan will identify the location and timing of areas for housing. More detailed planning work will take place to rezone the land once the growth plan has been finished. This more detailed planning work may take two to three years. We will also welcome community input into this detailed planning work as it happens.

The growth plan seeks to guide growth in a sustainable manner so that Bannockburn remains a great place to live. This will involve creating a high-level plan that identifies the best areas to locate new housing, jobs, retail and other uses.

Yes. The growth plan aims to identify a new growth boundary to accommodate the projected population growth to the year 2050.

Development will be directed away from areas:

  • with high environmental values
  • with an unmanageable bushfire risk
  • that are highly productive for agricultural purpose
  • that can’t be easily serviced by infrastructure
  • that are too steep.

These decisions will be informed by technical reports and by working with agencies such as the Country Fire Authority and Barwon Water. Community engagement will be undertaken throughout the project to give community members a chance to voice their opinions.

There is some land within the current town boundary that is yet to be developed. The growth plan will identify when this land might develop and what infrastructure is required to service it.

Not all of the land in the Growth Plan Investigation Area will be suited for development. We expect approximately 5,500 new homes will be needed to accommodate the population growth to the year 2050. The growth plan will not only identify what land should be developed, but when it should be developed in stages. By staging development in the short, medium and long term, infrastructure can be funded and delivered so it’s built at the time it’s needed.

Yes. Community engagement forms a key part of the process for developing the growth plan.

The first phase of community engagement was completed in March 2020. The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and Golden Plains Shire Council asked the Bannockburn community what their priorities were for the future of their town. The community outlined their priorities, including improvements to shopping facilities, transport, recreational facilities and green spaces. You can see the full results in the Bannockburn Key Issues & Opportunities Community Engagement Summary Report (PDF)

The second phase of community engagements was completed in late November 2020. The outcomes of these engagement are to be posted on the webpage.

Supporting Documentation

Bannockburn Growth Plan - May 2021 - Approval Gazetted
Bannockburn Growth Plan - May 2021 - Approval Gazetted PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Referral Letter - December 2020
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Referral Letter - December 2020 PDF  Version
VPA Projects Standing Advisory Committee - Referral 1 Report - Bannockburn Growth Plan - April 2021
VPA Projects Standing Advisory Committee - Referral 1 Report - Bannockburn Growth Plan - April 2021 PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan - October 2020
Bannockburn Growth Plan - October 2020 PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan - May 2021 - Approval Gazetted
Bannockburn Growth Plan - May 2021 - Approval Gazetted PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Public Consultation Report - Final December 2020
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Public Consultation Report - Final December 2020 PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan Newsletter - February 2020
Bannockburn Growth Plan Newsletter - February 2020 PDF  Version
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Project brochure - October 2020
Bannockburn Growth Plan - Project brochure - October 2020 PDF  Version
Bannockburn Key Issues & Opportunities Community Engagement Summary Report - June 2020
Bannockburn Key Issues & Opportunities Community Engagement Summary Report - June 2020 PDF  Version