Strategic Projects

'Planning for St Arnaud combines the opportunities offered by its existing assets, such as its distinctive heritage and natural and built character, with new opportunities for revitalisation and redevelopment.'

The St Arnaud Township Framework Plan sets out future growth and development directions for housing, commercial and industrial development to reinforce St Arnaud as a key district centre. It facilitates growth while celebrating the valued history and culture of St Arnaud and identifying public open space and active transport opportunities.

Council adopted the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan in October 2023.

Why is the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan needed?

The St Arnaud Township Framework Plan will ensure that St Arnaud develops for the benefit of everyone who lives and works hereby focusing on a number of important challenges such as boosting St Arnaud’s competitiveness, enhancing the town’s resilience to climate change impacts, and tackling the demands of housing, jobs and accessibility to services and infrastructure.

Vision

The Plan outlines a long-term vision for St Arnaud, providing a roadmap for future planning and development to ensure that St Arnaud:

'... remains an attractive place to live, work and play by consolidating growth, strengthening rural industry, supporting housing needs and services, celebrating heritage, improving connectivity, enhancing community resilience and promoting investment in the township.'

Document Links

You can download a copy of the St Arnaud Township Framework Plan by clicking the links below:

The Northern Grampians Heritage Review will consider the Northern Grampians Heritage Study Stage 1 and 2 (Rowe and Jacobs, 2004), Northern Grampians Thematic Environmental History (Rowe & Jacobs, 2004) and new historical research, including input from traditional owner groups, historical societies, business and community groups, landowners and individuals with an interest in the project.

As required by the Planning and Environment Act (1987), the Heritage Review Study will provide Council with the information necessary to:

‘... conserve and enhance buildings, areas and other places which are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural, or historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value.’

Why is the 2024-25 Northern Grampians Heritage Review Needed?

The 2024-25 Heritage Review will build upon the 2004 Precinct background work and new historical research will be undertaken to review of the intactness of heritage precincts. This has involved background information provided by the St Arnaud Historical Society and the Stawell Heritage Society. This research will enable the preparation of Heritage Citations and Statements of Significance for heritage places and heritage precincts of significance.

Heritage citations and Statements of Significance will include:

• History and description of the precincts
• A list of features and buildings that are significant, contribute to the importance of precinct and those features or buildings that do not contribute to the precinct.
• Mapping of precinct extents to inform the application of the Heritage Overlay within the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme

Heritage Precincts

St Arnaud Commercial & Old Civic Precincts

As part of the Heritage Review of the 2004 Study, St Arnaud’s Commercial and Civic precincts were shortlisted as the first areas to be reviewed. The heart of St Arnaud, the Commercial and Civic precinct, is a much loved and tourist drawcard for the town and the Shire. We know through the St Arnaud Structure Plan consultation that the local St Arnaud community value their heritage streetscapes. 

St Arnaud Queens Avenue Precinct

The review of the St Arnaud Commercial, Civic and Queens Avenue precincts will be informed by the revised draft Thematic Environmental History, the Northern Grampians Heritage Study Stage 1 and 2 (Rowe and Jacobs, 2004), PPN01: Applying the Heritage Overlay, additional historical research and site visits, previous planning and building permits and changes since the 2004 Study was undertaken, and new historical information.

Stawell Main Street Precinct

The Heritage Review of the 2004 Study, shortlisted Main Street as one of the first areas in Stawell to be reviewed as it hosts the largest concentration of heritage value, as well as having the highest visibility for both locals and tourists.

Main Street is the commercial heart of Stawell and contains many buildings of historical significance to the town. Pleasant Creek on Western Highway (location of former Shire office) is not part of the early phase of the Heritage Review as it is mostly included within the Heritage Overlay already.

What is a Planning Scheme?

A planning scheme is a legal document prepared by Council or the Minister for Planning and approved by Minister under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. It sets out the objectives, policies and rules that control how people can use and develop private and public land. All municipalities have their own Planning Scheme using a standard structure including:

• State, regional and local planning policies.
• Maps which show the zones and overlays that affect individual land parcels.
• An ordinance which are the written requirements setting out how land can be used and developed.
• Incorporated documents – these are separate documents that provide more detailed requirements about specific uses or individual sites.

Planning schemes are regularly amended through a statutory planning scheme amendment process. 

Why is the Planning Scheme being reviewed?

The Planning Scheme Review assesses the local planning policies, zones, overlays and schedules within the Planning Scheme in achieving objectives and strategies relating to the use and development of land across the Shire. It also ensures that the planning scheme is consistent with any directions or guidelines issued by the Minister for Planning and makes effective use of state and local provisions to give effect to state and local planning policy objectives.

The review is also likely to identify changes or additional strategic works to be undertaken that would improve the effectiveness of the planning scheme. Proposed improvements to the planning scheme review are carried out as planning scheme amendments separate to the review. 

Council last undertook a review of the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme in 2018. The findings of this review were incorporated into the planning scheme by amendments C59ngra in 2021 and C61ngra in 2022.

'In 2040, Stawell will be an enhanced gateway to the region, having grown through well-managed sustainable and climate resilient development that celebrates its history, heritage and environment.'

Stawell is currently experiencing an exciting period of transformation. Effectively planning for and harnessing this change is crucial to securing the resulting community benefits and preserving Stawell's unique qualities.

Council adopted the Stawell Structure Plan in April 2021.

What is the Stawell Structure Plan?

The Stawell Structure Plan establishes a framework and outlines key directions and opportunities for change to foster the future growth of the township. It will guide Council's decisions about future development on public and private land within and around Stawell. It outlines a vision, key objectives and strategies to ensure that its goals are implemented in line with community expectations. 

It will provide direction on the assessment of planning permit applications and amendments to the Planning Scheme, assist with advocating for public funding, and provide input into Council's program of works and projects.

Vision

The plan outlines a long-term vision for the township, providing a roadmap to guide future planning over the next 20-30 years, ensuring Stawell:

'... will be a diverse, vibrant, and inclusive community that has built upon its high-quality community services and is well connected through sustainable modes of transport.'

Components of the Stawell Structure Plan

The Stawell Structure Plan includes the Stawell Structure Plan and the Western Highway Urban Design Framework.

Document Links

You can download a copy of each component by clicking the links below:

'Stawell will be the most memorable and attractive town along the Western Highway between Melbourne and Adelaide.'

The Western Highway Urban Design Framework is part of the Stawell Structure Plan and sets out the vision and directions for future investment development along the Western Highway, with an ambition to make Stawell a better place to live, work, invest and visit.

Council adopted the Western Highway Urban Design Framework in 2021.

Why is an Urban Design Framework needed?

The Western Highway is a major access route to Stawell between Melbourne and Adelaide. There are presently limited incentives or wayfinding opportunities for travellers to turn off from the highway into the town centre. Along the highway itself, there is limited information and amenities for travellers.

Another important consideration for the UDF is the pattern of new development along the highway. These highly exposed properties contribute to the ‘first impressions’ of the look and feel of the township. Presently, buildings are highly diverse, with no clear parameters for the preferred presentation and character of development.

Vision

The Western Highway Urban Design Framework seeks to ensure that development along the Western Highway in Stawell complements the town centre to provide a full range of services for residents and visitors of Stawell. It will ensure that Stawell is:

'... a tourism node and pause point for regional tourism traffic, directing travellers to key destinations in the township and the broader region through clearly defined township gateways and wayfinding signage.'

Document Links

'Stawell is going through an exciting period of change. Planning for and harnessing this change is vitally important for securing the positive community that will arise and ensuring the unique qualities of Stawell endure.'

The main long-term growth area for Stawell has been identified to the southeast of the existing township, along Sloane Street. It is likely that this land can accommodate the majority of Stawell's greenfield development demand over the next 30 years and beyond. The 135ha precinct has the potential to accommodate the majority of the shire's population and housing growth over the next 30-50 years.

Why is the Stawell Growth Area Masterplan needed?

The Stawell Growth Area Masterplan is a component of the Stawell Structure Plan. It is required to investigate the suitability, housing yield, number of years and staging for rezoning of land identified within the 'future residential growth area' identified within the Stawell Structure Plan.

Additionally, a key priority of the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme is to accommodate population growth within Stawell. The Stawell Growth Area Masterplan will ensure that Stawell has the capacity to accommodate the majority of projected housing growth within the Shire, whilst recognising potential land use conflicts between rural zones and land identified for housing development.

When will land in the Stawell Growth Area be developed?

It is important that this land is planned cohesively for long term growth and is protected from subdivision and development that would jeopardise its future growth potential. Rezoning should be undertaken as demand dictates.  

The Stawell Flood Study will produce reliable flood intelligence for use in emergency management situations, assess the current flood impact/exposure in terms of annual average damages caused by flooding in Stawell, investigate structural and non-structural mitigation options, and investigate and make recommendations for establishing a flood warning system for the town. It will allow for the:

• Future application of the Flood Overlay (FO) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO).
• Investigation of opportunities for flood mitigation works and activities.
• Preparation of community flood awareness and education.
• Identification and feasibility of improved flood warning arrangements
• Assessment of flood risk for insurance purposes.

Study Area

Stawell can be separated into two distinct types of potential inundation:

• short duration stormwater flooding
• longer duration riverine flooding

Pleasant Creek Catchment Area

Pleasant Creek originates approximately 8 km south of Stawell at the Black Range, flowing northwest along the Western Highway past southwestern Stawell, before eventually running into Lake Lonsdale, 9 km west of Stawell. The Pleasant Creek catchment upstream of Stawell is approximately 28 km2 and consists of bushland in the upper reaches and cleared pasture in the lower reaches upstream of Stawell.

Stawell Golf Course Catchment Area

The Stawell Golf Course study area is characterised by the Jerrywell Creek catchment. Jerrywell Creek originates on the eastern slope of Big Hill and flows north crossing the Stawell-Avoca Road. Multiple large overland flow paths from the Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve feed into the creek before it joins Concongella Creek, and finally the Wimmera River. The Jerrywell Creek catchment within the study area is largely cleared agricultural land with some vegetated areas in the upper reaches.

More Information

You can find more information about flood planning by viewing the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy.

The St Arnaud Flood Study aims to provide accurate flood mapping for the township and consider how flood risk is best managed through investment and development of mitigation options, improved flood intelligence, and emergency response planning. The St Arnaud Flood Study seeks to define flood related controls in the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme and develop flood intelligence models to inform emergency response planning. It will allow for the:

• Future application of the Flood Overlay (FO) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO).
• Investigation of opportunities for flood mitigation works and activities.
• Preparation of community flood awareness and education.
• Identification and feasibility of improved flood warning arrangements
• Assessment of flood risk for insurance purposes.

Study Area

St Arnaud Creek, a tributary of Lexel Creek, is the major waterway flowing through St Arnaud. The waterway is highly modified from its natural form, with sections of constructed open, lined and earthen channel. The waterway begins to the north west of St Arnaud, flowing underneath the railway line and the St Arnaud-Wycheproof Road adjacent to North Central Farm Trees. Much of the upstream catchment from this point is vegetated. The total modelled area including the St Arnaud and Lexel Creek catchments is 35 km2.

Most recently the area was affected by flooding in January 2011, November 2018 and November 2021 when large number of homes and shops were impacted.

More Information

You can learn more about flood planning in Victoria by viewing the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy.

The Marnoo Flood Study will produce detailed understanding of flood risk to the Marnoo township and its residents, developing an understanding of flooding behaviour to inform future land use, prospective mitigation options, and emergency management options. It will allow for the:

• Future application of the Flood Overlay (FO) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO).
• Investigation of opportunities for flood mitigation works and activities.
• Preparation of community flood awareness and education.
• Identification and feasibility of improved flood warning arrangements.
• Assessment of flood risk for insurance purposes.

Study Area 

The catchment within and upstream of the study area is largely cleared agricultural land with some vegetated areas along the waterways. The study area is focused on the township of Marnoo and includes the following waterway structures:

• Road crossings at the following locations:

• Wimmera Highway over Wallaloo Creek
• Raluana Road bridge over Wallaloo Creek
• Donald-Stawell Road over Andersons Creek

• Road culverts and underground pit and pipe network.
• The redundant railway east of the township and associated hydraulic structures.
• Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) irrigation channels located east of the township.
• Several off-stream dams throughout the township.

More Information

You can learn more about flood planning in Victoria by viewing the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy.