May 29th, 2024Your say…
‘Unnecessary and damaging conclusions’
Hepburn Shire Council have completed a tremendous task in producing the Future Hepburn Housing Strategy, but they have reached some unnecessary and damaging conclusions.
The most contentious is to extend the town boundary along East Street in what the council officer confirmed could be to a 100-house suburb.
The council has at no stage in drawing up this draft strategy consulted the Powell family who have farmed the land for over 100 years or any of the residents who live in the area. Council also confirmed there are 380 vacant blocks of land in Daylesford which is between 15–25 years’ supply.
The 100 houses and mooted shops to support the new suburb have the potential to change the character of Daylesford by dragging traffic through the streets east of Vincent Street and taking business away from the main street. Residents, tourists and farmers will all lose.
By the council’s own admission this rezoning of vital farmland isn’t required, but the consequences for all who love Daylesford are clear. The council at the end of the consultation process must abandon the rezoning of farmland.
From Brendan Hutchinson, Daylesford
