In direct response to community feedback, Baw Baw Shire Council will extend the consultation period for the Warragul and Drouin Design Guidelines until 8 December 2021 and provide a range of streamlined, plain language consultation options to make it easier for residents to share their views.
The draft Warragul and Drouin Design Guidelines are important because they will have a major impact on the look and feel of Drouin and Warragul's residential neighbourhoods into the future. They cover a range of residential development considerations, including but not limited to:
- lot design
- retaining wall
- height local character
- development look and feel
The draft Guidelines were prepared following community consultation at pop-up market stalls and online surveys throughout March and April 2021. They have been on public exhibition for final feedback since 21 September 2021.
Around 30 community submissions have been received so far, however Council is hopeful that the extension of the deadline and the addition of simplified means of response will help to entice many more residents to provide their input.
The streamlined feedback methods will include the option for residents to comment directly in response to individual questions posted on Council's Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as a simplified 5-question survey that can be answered in 5 minutes with no prior preparation.
The new feedback options will be made available on Council's website and social media pages in coming days and will also be advertised in the Warragul and Drouin Gazette throughout November and early December.
These new feedback methods will complement the existing comprehensive survey, which will also remain available to those residents and stakeholders who wish to provide more detailed, comments and feedback on the draft Guidelines.
Public commentary via all methods will be accepted until Wednesday 8 December 2021.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss
"Warragul and Drouin, we need you. We need you to turn up and have your say on these draft guidelines. I cannot stress enough how important this document is. We must get it right.
I understand members in our community may feel this consultation will not directly affect them. But it will! There are still 10,000 or so blocks yet to be developed and you can help shape how your town will look.
We've pushed this extension out for another month to give you more opportunity to have your say. The format will be simpler and the questions will be in plain language. I hope to see some great engagement from our community through the survey, the website and via Council's social media channels."
Quote attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
"Council has extended the Warragul and Drouin Design Guidelines consultation period as a direct result from your input. We have heard your feedback and we have made a change.
We know from past consultations that our community will respond to topics when they're presented in clear and concise language. So that is exactly what we will do. Over November and early December, Council will be broadening the consultation opportunity, simplifying the survey questions and making sure you completely understand what the document is discussing.
I look forward to seeing all the responses from this extension and hearing the thoughts straight from our community on the draft guidelines."
Quote attributable to Cr Joe Gauci
"This consultation topic will have major impacts on the look, feel and most importantly the liveability of Baw Baw Shire in the future.
Other Councillors and I have all received community feedback that say they simply don't have the time to read the entire document, digest the information and provide a comment.
The extension until 8 December will allow us to get back to basics. This additional survey will break down the topics, ask simple and plain language questions to ensure the community understands the document and provide feedback. We need to see the community represented in this consultation".
