New homes for key workers and other residents in Simpson and Timboon are a step closer to reality.
Detailed design work is about to start as Corangamite Shire Council's Unlocking Housing project moves ahead.
Coastal Ward Cr Jamie Vogels, who represents Simpson, said the Shire would enable new homes through the two developments at
- 86 Princetown Road, Simpson (working with the landowner) and
- 17 Curdies Road, Timboon (Council land)
"Detailed design is about to start as we change focus from the big picture to making things actually happen," Cr Vogels said.
"Public consultation for the 'Positioning Timboon and Simpson Strategy' in 2020 gathered ideas from the local communities about how each site could be developed.
"Urban designer Architectus has worked with community reference groups, Council and the Victorian State Government to put those ideas into concept master plans.
"Those plans will be finetuned as detailed designs are developed in the coming months.
"Extensive community consultation will happen once plans are more developed."
South-West Ward Cr Kate Makin, who represents Timboon, said a dedicated project delivery group has been established within the Council.
"We will keep holding community reference group meetings as things advance, to make sure locals know what's going on," Cr Makin said.
"Council will engage an expert civil engineering team by early 2023 to design infrastructure and make sure the subdivisions work and are sustainable.
"We are working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to rezone the sites so they can be used for residential purposes.
"The sites will need planning permission and we expect to consult on these in the middle of next year."
Key features proposed for Timboon:
- a new local road through the site to Curdies Road
- 30-40 new homes on a mix of lot sizes
- protecting on-going use of Transfer Station
- an open space reserve and a drainage reserve
- Potential upgrades to the Recreation Reserve in lieu of open space
Key features proposed for Simpson:
- connecting existing residential areas to the new housing site through trails, open space and paths
- a return loop track past the school and through the new homes
- new footpath along Princetown Road
- 70-90 new homes on a mix of lot sizes, including provision of key worker housing
- a new local road onto Princetown Road
- open space and drainage reserve
Council is working with the Victorian State Government to deliver housing on these sites.
Victorian State Government support through Regional Development Victoria totals $2m through the Living Regions Living Suburbs program.
