The plan will guide the town’s growth, development and investment attraction over the next 15 to 20 years, setting out a clear framework for Rochester’s evolution into the future.
The first of its kind for the shire, the structure plan will bring together community priorities, technical studies and planning expertise.
The plan will also identify opportunities across key areas including land use, housing, transport, infrastructure, local business, open space and environmental protection.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the work built on previous engagement with the community.
“This work builds on extensive engagement already undertaken in Rochester, including the Rochester Place-Based Plan and the ongoing consultation associated with the Rochester Flood Study,” he said.
The structure plan will focus on creating a resilient and well-planned town that reflects local needs and values.
Community input will be central to the process, with a series of pop-up sessions to be held at Rochester library on Tuesday, April 28, from 9am to noon, and Wednesday, April 29, from noon to 4.30pm.
Integrated planning manager Kristy Beattie said the sessions were an opportunity for residents to meet the team and better understand the project.
“The pop-ups are an opportunity for people to meet us as the strategic planners at council to ask questions like what is the structure plan and ask how they can be involved in the process,” she said.
A workshop will also be held with community representatives, agencies and technical experts to explore future directions for the town in more detail.
Ms Beattie said the workshop would focus on developing practical, implementable outcomes.
“That workshop will be more like getting into the nitty-gritty and the details,” she said.
“We're going to be working with the agencies and state departments ... in a group, with the community, to workshop options and ideas for the structure plan.
“We want the structure plan to be something that can be implemented and not something that's just a generation of ideas. It needs to be something that's going to work.”
Further community engagement opportunities will be available as the project progresses, with the final Rochester Structure Plan expected later this year.
An expression of interest form is available via council’s website or customer service centres for those interested in joining the workshop.
Places are limited to ensure a productive and interactive session.
More information is available at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/rochesterstructureplan
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