What is a Structure Plan?
A Structure Plan is a plan for a town’s future. It considers if, how and where a town should grow. A Structure Plan process provides a community with an opportunity to share with Council how they believe the town should best manage demands for improved services, whilst protecting the features and characteristics of a town that make it a great place to live in. Ultimately the role of the structure plan is to guide changes to policy within the Surf Coast Planning Scheme to help inform land use decision making.
How are structure plans prepared?
Community members play an important role in contributing to structure plan content by sharing their aspirations and concerns for natural and built environments. Information is captured in project surveys, at consultation sessions and through the lodging and review of formal written submissions. The information that the Moriac community contributes to the structure plan process will inform policies to guide future decision making.
The community, land owners and land developers benefit from the clear planning policy directions contained within a structure plan. The maps and supporting text can help identify opportunities for future development in the form of ‘future growth’ or ‘investigation’ areas. Whereas land featuring topographic and/or environmental assets or constraints can be clearly identified as ‘no go’ zones.
How are Structure Plans implemented?
Once adopted by Council a structure plan has an active and influential life guided by a detailed implementation plan. Implementation actions may include amendments to the Surf Coast Planning Scheme, further investigative studies or the funding of particular physical works. Adopted plans are typically linked to the Council’s corporate plan ensuring a coordinated approach to implementation across Council services.