Longwarry Structure Plan

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About the Longwarry Structure (Framework) Plan

The Longwarry Structure Plan provides a long-term strategic vision for future growth in Longwarry. The Plan considers land uses, open space areas and connectivity, guiding decisions about development proposals, investments and infrastructure improvements for the town. 

The Longwarry Structure Plan provides a clear planning framework that addresses land use challenges and constraints affecting Longwarry and will inform the necessary planning tools required to facilitate growth and change in an orderly manner. 

The Plan will be used as a basis for formal changes to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme through revised planning provisions to be implemented from recommendations of the Plan.  

Why is a Structure Plan important?

Moderate population growth and change over the past decade in Longwarry has increased the demand for community services and facilities and local employment. In addition, Longwarry experiences heavy through traffic, flooding and ground water issues. The Plan is the required framework to clearly identify the defined town centre area, and direction for surrounding land uses. 

Implementing the Longwarry Structure Plan will assist Baw Baw Shire Council to introduce new and updated planning controls that best reflect the context of Longwarry, and to identify what infrastructure is required to support a growing population. 

Baw Baw Shire Council has adopted previous strategies that will serve as important reference material for the Plan. The existing Longwarry Structure Plan(PDF, 6MB) at Clause 21.04-7 of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme, the Baw Baw Settlement Management Plan 2013(PDF, 14MB), the Longwarry Urban Design Framework 2019(PDF, 10MB) and the Baw Baw Shire Council Plan 2017-2021(PDF, 7MB)

Current Status

Council adopted the Longwarry Structure (Framework) Plan at the Wednesday 14 December Council Meeting.

Baw Baw Shire Council and Echelon Planning prepared the draft Longwarry Structure (Framework) Plan following initial community consultation and extensive background research and analysis.

The Longwarry Structure Plan outlines Council’s approach for the growth and land uses in Longwarry in response to changing community needs. The Plan will guide development and change in Longwarry to 2041, as well as investment in infrastructure from both public and private sectors to address existing issues in Longwarry and ensure growth is appropriately serviced.

Community Consultation

Community and stakeholder engagement commenced early in the process with two drop-in sessions held in the Longwarry Town Hall in April 2021. These sessions were the first phase of the consultation, where many engaged community members discussed their thoughts and aspirations for their township.

A second phase of consultation included drop-in sessions so that the community had the opportunity to provide comment and ask questions on the draft Structure Plan responded to by Echelon Planning and Council officers. These drop-in sessions were supplemented by an online survey and webpage updates to ensure those who were unable to attend in person were still represented. Engagement for the draft Plan was undertaken in February/March 2022 for a period of 4 weeks.

There were 10 written submissions received to the draft Structure Plan, as well as 22 responses via the Have Your Say (HYS) platform.

Community members also provided verbal feedback which was noted at the engagement sessions. The main matters raised in the submissions included:
• Seeking a mix of residential housing, including some low density lots
• New developments to respect the rural character of the town
• Drainage/flooding issues
• Fire management
• The Employment Investigation Area and the need for more employment land in Baw Baw
• Location of the Saleyards and the 500m EPA buffer
• More community facilities and open space, including sporting oval
• Greater retail options
• Improved pedestrian network
• Environmental, ecological and renewable energy considerations
• The ‘Longwarry Triangle’ and its current/future zone

The Process

The Longwarry Structure Plan project involved the following stages: 

  • Stage 1 (complete) Inception  
  • Stage 2 (complete) Background Research 
  • Stage 3 (complete) Stakeholder Engagement 
  • Stage 4 (complete) Draft Structure Plan and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Stage 5 (complete) Final Structure Plan and Planning Scheme Tools 

Further Information 

If you have any further questions regarding the Longwarry Structure Plan project, or would like to be placed on the correspondence list, please contact the Strategic Planning Department on 1300 229 229 or email  Strategic.Planning@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au