The draft Managed Grow­th Strategy aims to guide housing grow­th. It focuses on areas near existing services and job opportunities. The strategy aims for 70 per cent of new­ urban development to occur in established areas. The remaining 30 per cent will be in identified grow­th areas.

We expect that the rural townships will continue to make up 16 per cent of dwellings in Greater Bendigo:

• Elmore
• Heathcote
• Goornong
• Axedale

The Rural Area Framework Plan in the Managed Growth Strategy identifies Goornong as a ‘Rural Town’. Limited growth will likely occur. It also recognises that reopening the train station may help reinvigorate the township.

We will investigate more as we prepare the Goornong Structure Plan. We will also need to look into:

• Wastewater options
• The feasibility of sewerage for Goornong
• Long-term financial and asset management impacts on Coliban Water

Viable sewerage for Goornong would require assistance and funding through State Government.

Goornong is not included in the Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy. The absence of sewerage only supports limited growth. The Goornong Structure Plan will include work on housing and neighbourhood character.