NORTHERN Grampians Shire Council has started work on a new master plan to guide the development of an area of land on the Western Highway near Stawell.
Cr Wayne Rice said the Western Stawell Business Precinct Master Plan would set the direction of the industrial and business land for the next 15 years.
“The area being investigated is about 60 hectares and contains private and public land, the existing industrial precinct and surrounding vacant land on the Western Highway, from the town border to Playford Street, north of Knowles Road,” he said.
Cr Rice said the project would help council plan the longer-term economic and social sustainability of Stawell and broader districts.
“The master plan will provide for the future expansion of existing businesses, and new business investment, through the extension of existing utility services such as water, gas and power,” he said.
“In addition to staging new infrastructure and development to make the most efficient use of scarce public and private funding, the project will enhance the amenity of the precinct, particularly along the Western Highway, which is often the first impression people get of our township.”
Council has appointed Echelon Planning to complete the work.
Cr Rice said consultants would call business owners, landlords and others in the precinct zone in the next few months to understand and assess the current uses, barriers, servicing needs and opportunities for investment.
He said the plan was due to be completed by March 2015. The State Government has contributed $150,000 to the master plan through the Regional Growth Fund.