Council has endorsed a formal process that proposes the rezoning of land to meet future industrial and business needs.
The land at 470 Seymour-Tooborac Rd, Hilldene, will have the ability to support jobs and investment in the medium to longer term with a planning scheme amendment drafted that proposes the rezoning of 53 hectares of land to industrial zone one.
Council’s decision to begin the proposed rezoning aims to ensure the Seymour industrial land market is ready and able to respond to future investment interests. It is the start of a process that will include public exhibition of the proposal.
Council has provided a notice of decision to support a planning permit for a multi-lot residential subdivision on Tarcombe Rd, Seymour.
The application met a number of Seymour’s key planning objectives as set out in the Mitchell Planning Scheme and Seymour Structure Plan, including the strategic layout of the sub-division and its amenities.
The decision allows the planning process to continue under conditions.
Seymour’s importance as a tourist destination has been recognised in the Tourism and Visitor Economy Plan 2020-2024 – an action plan for enhancing the tourism experience and growing the visitor economy across the whole of Mitchell Shire.
The plan also supports the Great Victorian Rail Trail Strategic Development Plan, which has been endorsed by councillors.
It means Mitchell, Mansfield and Murrindindi shires have a solid strategy to grow a tourism and community asset.
The plan provides a solid foundation for activating the trail to realise its social and tourism potential.
It has four key themes and outlines 18 projects that will continue to support and promote the trail as a first-class tourism attraction.
Council received funding from the Victorian Government to further investigate how Seymour could connect to the Great Victorian Rail Trail as part of the Seymour Structure Plan.
Five potential alignments were identified and community consultation to find the preferred option may begin later this year, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Mitchell Shire Mayor David Lowe said Seymour was fast becoming a regional hub that would entice new investment as well as support a rural lifestyle.
“It has so much to offer and council has now laid the foundation to open the town even further to investment and employment opportunities,” Cr Lowe said.
“It places greater opportunity to live, work, invest and visit one of regional Victoria’s premier and growing destinations.
“With established services, the Hume Fwy and a fast rail link into metropolitan Melbourne, there is little wonder there is added interest in Seymour as a business locality.
“Importantly, council has a strong role to play in Seymour’s growth and we will continue to work with state and federal governments to build its reputation, its amenities and its social fabric.
“While people are not able to visit Seymour right now, we are still working hard to create a healthy, connected and sustainable Seymour for the future.
“With a growing tourism sector and more residents moving into Mitchell, there are limitless opportunities for Seymour now and into the future.”
