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Publish Date 09 July 2024
We’re exploring ways to expand accommodation options that might encourage younger people to stay, or attract new people to move to here, and we’d like to hear from you.
One of the strategies in our Council Plan is to explore opportunities to expand the diversity of residential living options in response to community needs.
One of the options we’d like to explore is “rural residential” land, which is residential land in a rural setting at the edge of a town. Lots are larger than typical residential lots but are too small for farming use other than hobby-farming types of activities.
Land at the edge of our larger towns is zoned "Farming" which doesn’t allow subdivision for smaller residential or hobby farm-style lots.
Rural residential land is zoned “Rural Living Zone”. Our Shire doesn’t have any of this zone at present. We have heard that rural residential lots might provide a way of broadening housing options to attract people to the larger towns of Donald, Birchip, Charlton, Sea Lake and Wycheproof, and we’d like to explore this further.
Council is conducting a 'Rural Living in Buloke survey' which can be accessed here.
Rural residential development refers to land in a rural setting that is used and developed for housing and not primarily associated with agriculture. Some agriculture may take place on the land however it would be minor in scale, and likely to be carried out for ‘lifestyle’ reasons. It is unlikely to provide a significant source of household income.
Rural residential land is subdivided into large residential lots of between 5 acres and 20 acres and developed with houses set around large gardens.
Typically, rural residential land generates urban residential amenity expectations and should be located in areas where it will not impact the operations of a neighbouring farm. It is usually located where the edge of town meets the agricultural area. It requires access to most of the normal services and infrastructure provided in urban settlements, such as sealed roads and waste collection. Lots are not connected to reticulated sewer so wastewater must able to be managed on-site.
More information about rural-residential development is available here: Department of Transport and Planning, Planning Practice Note 37: Rural residential development https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/guides/planning-practice-notes/rural-residential-development
The purpose of the Farming Zone is: • To provide for the use of land for agriculture. • To encourage the retention of productive agricultural land. • Ensure that non-agricultural uses, including dwellings, do no adversely affect the use of land for agriculture. • To encourage the retention of employment and population to support rural communities. • To encourage use and development of land based on comprehensive and sustainable land management practices and infrastructure provision. The purpose of the Rural Living Zone is: • To provide for residential use in a rural environment. • To provide for agricultural land uses which do not adversely affect the amenity of surrounding land uses. • To protect and enhance the natural resources, biodiversity and landscape and heritage values of the area. • To encourage use and development of land based on comprehensive and sustainable land management practices and infrastructure provision. More information about rural zones is available here: Department of Transport and Planning, Planning Practice Note 42: Applying the Rural Zones https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/guides-and-resources/guides/planning-practice-notes/applying-the-rural-zones
The Council Plan recognizes that diverse and quality housing stock is needed to ensure Buloke provides the right mix of residential opportunities to meet the diverse needs of the community into the future.
Long-Term Community Vision and Council Plan 2021-2025
Our Community Challenges – Diverse and Quality Housing Stock
Demand for a range of quality housing options across sectors of the Buloke community has been a long-term challenge in the Buloke Shire. The extra pressure brought about by the 2020 lockdown, as well as the renewed interest in rural living has further exacerbated this challenge. Access to social housing, step-down housing for older residents looking to down size from their multiple bedroom detached dwellings or move into town from the farm, right through to family-friendly housing and that which suits the professional end of the market all present challenges for Buloke. Identification and availability of land to build and develop is also a key component of this challenge. Addressing derelict and vacant housing is also a key concern of the Buloke community. The Council Plan includes strategies to explore whether rural residential land would contribute to the mix of land available for housing, including:
Our Built and Natural Environment Strategy
1.2 Suitable Housing Options: 1.2.1 Build on the Wimmera Southern Mallee Housing Study to identify opportunities for Council and the community to enhance diversity in housing stock. 1.2.4 Encourage housing development and investment suitable to community needs and professional housing options.
Current Strategies and Plans that are referenced in the Council Plan:
More information about this study is available here: