Mount Alexander Shire Council has adopted a strategic plan to guide the growth of Harcourt and will seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare an amendment to the local planning scheme to implement the plan.
Council adopted Plan Harcourt at the Ordinary Meeting of Council this week. The strategic plan provides a blueprint for land use planning and town centre design. It also includes economic development initiatives guided by the town’s identity, heritage and community aspirations.
The strategic plan includes a Harcourt Framework Plan outlining the proposed planning policy, zones and overlay controls to be incorporated into the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme.
There are also recommendations for town activation projects to guide the look, feel and function of the town centre and improve pedestrian access to build a sense of place and community connection. The ideas will be further explored in a Harcourt town centre urban design plan to be developed as a short-term priority.
The Harcourt Framework Plan was developed alongside an economic development plan called Shine Harcourt Leanganook, which sits as an appendix to the plan. Shire Harcourt Leanganook identifies five big strategic directions and a collection of community driven ideas to be rolled out over time with a focus on the town’s heritage, natural assets and agritourism.
The ambitions focus on themes of story, collaboration, cultural heritage on Country, local food production and growth plans that express the town’s distinct character and personality.
The two interrelated projects are aligned on a map outlining actions in the plan under the areas of planning policy reform, town centre activation and economic enabling initiatives.
Harcourt is identified for residential expansion and population growth in the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme and the Loddon Mallee South Regional Growth Plan. The town is expected to supply a large share of residential land supply in the shire in the coming 15 to 30 years.
While more than 900 residents call Harcourt home, the main township area has a population of around 600. The township could accommodate up to an additional 1,200 people over the next 15 years depending on different development scenarios.
“Plan Harcourt was developed based on extensive consultation with the community over the past two years to understand local needs and aspirations, and get everyone involved in the process,” said Cr Christine Henderson, Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire.
“This strategic plan was needed to ensure there is enough land supply and infrastructure to accommodate growth, create jobs, and attract more services to the town, while protecting important assets such as agricultural land use, the irrigation network and other natural and cultural features,” said Mayor Henderson.
“Council has taken great care to develop a plan to ensure future change builds on the town’s unique character, and that any development occurs in a coordinated way. Council staff will continue to work in partnership with community and stakeholders to bring this plan to life.”
Some of the proposed changes in Plan Harcourt include: