MITCHELL Shire councillors adopted a development plan to guide the future of the Beveridge township, on the eastern side of the Hume Freeway.
Council will seek approval from the Minister for Planning before preparing a planning scheme amendment and exhibiting it for public consultation.
The plan covers the original town of Beveridge, comprising 78 lots and 68 dwellings across 85 hectares, and is bound by Minton Street in the north, Stewart Street in the east, and Kelly Street to the south.
The plan splits the township into three precincts, 100 Minton Street, large residential lots and a southern redevelopment area.
A planning permit has been issued and development is underway at 100 Minton Street for a residential area, which will include a centrally-located park and convenience retail on the corner of Minton and Stewart streets.
Land west of Spring Street has been marked for large lot residential development with limited development opportunities caused by steep land, no sewerage and fragmented land ownership.
All remaining land within the township will make up the southern redevelopment area under a general residential zone.
With the township adjoining two Precinct Structure Plan areas, council officers believe it will be subject to increased pressure from residential development in the future.
Community consultation of the development plan took place in 2018, with 28 submissions received and changes made in response to eight submissions, including one from a group of 15 landowners.
Included in the plan is Beveridge Primary School, Beveridge Reserve, and a 7900-square metre park within the 100 Minton Street development.
Then councillor Rob Eldridge said the development plan did not mean the township would be developed immediately.
“What this does is set the parameters and guidelines for the orderly development of the township to ensure future and present residents have a township worth living in and keeps a lot of the character of what we’ve already got down there,” he said.
