Consultation Closed - Warragul and Drouin Character Design Guidelines

  • Project typeStrategic Planning - Public Consultation
  • Project schedule26 March - 23 April 2021 (Consultation Phase 1 now closed)

How do you want our neighbourhoods to look in the future?

Council is in the early stages of preparing residential character design guidelines (the Guidelines) for General Residential Zone (GRZ) and Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) in Warragul and Drouin. The project aims to develop a set of guidelines to reflect the rural character of Baw Baw Shire in residential areas and apply a variety of housing densities and designs and protecting the existing uses on adjoining land.

Whether you live in a newer area of Drouin or Warragul, or one that’s been established for decades, we’d like to hear from you. We’d like to know what works, what doesn’t and what kind of residential development you would like to see in your neighbourhood.

Project background - learn more

The Warragul and Drouin Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs), documents that guide the growth in greenfield areas, were drafted in 2014. They identify extensive future residential development on farming land. The rapid increase in population growth is expected to continue.

The Guidelines will aim to make new neighbourhoods and public places within the Warragul and Drouin PSP areas reflect the preferred character and rural feel of the Shire, without compromising the development capacity of the Urban Growth zoned land. Given that development in those areas is already underway, balancing competing objectives will at times be necessary.

The Guidelines will consider design elements not currently addressed in the existing PSPs to guide the look and feel of new neighbourhoods within the PSP areas appropriate to Baw Baw’s peri-urban context and unique natural milieu.

In the established, older neighbourhoods, the Guidelines will identify existing and emerging neighbourhood character in the residential areas and develop recommendations to preserve and enhance the neighbourhood character.

The Guidelines will include recommendations for both the private and public realm, such as public spaces, forecourts, streets, routes, footpaths, shared paths, waterways, creek corridors, parks and open spaces within new residential developments. They will also consider Water Sensitive Urban Design solutions with accent on water retention, as well as other practical and affordable climate change mitigation solutions.

Guidelines for gateways to the UGZ areas and significant township access points will also be considered as part of the project.

What are the project stages?

Phase 1 – Community consultation (closed)

Community members were invited to have their say on the proposed Guidelines by providing us with better understanding of what parts of the character are important and why. 

This consultation opportunity closed at 11.59 on Friday 23 April 2021.

As part of this stage, the Shire held open community consultations at Drouin Craft and Produce Market and Warragul Farmers’ Market on Saturday, 20 March and gathered many valuable views.

Phase 2 – Draft Guidelines (mid 2021)

Following Phase 1 consultation, and based on the feedback received, draft design Guidelines will be prepared and formally exhibited in mid 2021.  That consultation will inform the final version of the guidelines that will be ultimately adopted by Council.

Tell us your feedback

This phase of public consultation is now closed. 

Contact Us

Have questions? We're here to help. For enquiries about the project, please contact Council's Strategic Planning team via email or by calling 1300 229 229.