Proper planning for Gisborne’s future has emerged as one of the biggest election issues for Macedon Ranges’ south as ratepayers look to the polls.
Attesting strong community interest is ratepayer Dean Markham’s fast-growing campaign to call for change to the council’s draft 30-year Gisborne Futures Plan.
He argues the current draft leaves the town wide open to becoming the next outer suburb of Melbourne with its proposal for four-storey commercial and three-storey residential buildings in the town centre, expansion of the Gisborne Business Park and plan to expand the population rather than cap it.
Since his campaign launched, he has noted a rise in people wanting to take control of the future planning for their town, and has inspired people well beyond his own backyard. Fellow Gisborne local Ben Lasry has been assisting Mr Markham.
“A lot of people are of the belief that ‘it won’t make any difference’ and ‘the council will do what it wants’, which has spread an attitude of ambivalence through an otherwise caring community,” he said.
“Everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it, until now, and people have realised they are not alone in their frustration.”
Mr Markham’s campaign has roused state-wide media attention and gained interest from various other communities on urban fringes that face similar challenges.
As the October election looms, he says it’s important for people to assess candidates and vote carefully.
“We do need to raise an army of people to rally together and continue to keep the matter in the spotlight,” he said.
Further consultation on the Gisborne Futures project is expected next year and Mr Markham is encouraging residents to be heard.
The latest round of community engagement attracted more than 640 people online survey responses and at least 100 written submissions.
A ‘Protect Gisborne’ Facebook page has now been established for those seeking to connect online – with a website under development and rallying of the community to follow.
