Opponents to Gisborne Business Park’s expansion fear their voices have fallen on deaf ears as the proposal lives on in Macedon Ranges Council’s draft Gisborne Futures project.
More than 300 residents petitioned council last year to scrap the plan that seeks to expand industrial and commercial activity to Saunders Road by rezoning Rural Living land.
The plan aims to lay groundwork for a ‘future employment expansion’ south and east of the existing Gisborne Business Park but would completely change one of the town’s main entry points.
Gisborne resident Linda Amarant said the business park expansion went against community aspirations to preserve the town’s semi-rural character.
“I just don’t understand why the council has not listened to its residents and is once again pushing the idea of bringing the business park right down onto Saunders Road,” she said.
“Where is our semi-rural character going? The new proposal is pretty much unchanged from the one that the council put forward last year.”
The proposal sought to rezone land for retail, warehouse and bulky goods retailing along Saunders Road.
Investigation into the expansion was suggested in the 2009 Gisborne Outline Development Plan, which many believe is now outdated.
Councillors voted in December to further consider the Gisborne Business Park Development Plan in the Gisborne Futures project as work on the document continued.
Gisborne Futures aims to create a blueprint for the town over the next 30 years to prepare for the town’s changing needs as the population grows.
The project will set a protected urban settlement boundary for Gisborne and identify future land uses for retail, employment, housing and community services to meet the growing needs of the town.
Some residents have voiced frustration that the project has been released for community feedback during a pandemic when people are distracted.
But council’s director of planning and environment Angela Hughes said like many other of the council’s core responsibilities, long-term township planning must continue, despite recent disruptions in the community due to COVID-19.
HAVE YOUR SAY
The current consultation process will run until September 14 and information updates on Gisborne Futures draft plans are available online.
“If interested people want to have their say how local housing, transports, shops, parks, landscapes and infrastructure will look into the future, they should participate now,” Ms Hughes said.
“Different planning topics will be discussed within small groups each day and our project team will be available to answer questions. We will also be providing guidance on the formal submission process.”
Macedon Ranges Council encourages residents to become involved in Gisborne Futures through a series webinars that will be held this week:
Structure Plan: Tuesday August 18, 1pm and 7pm
Urban Design Framework: Wednesday August 19, 1pm and 7pm
Neighbourhood Character Study: Thursday August 20, 1pm and 7pm.
Other targeted webinars will be offered to various stakeholder groups including local businesses and landowners, agencies and service providers and community groups.
Submissions can be made until September 14.
