Golden Plains Shire Council Northern Settlement Strategy Communty Consultation May-June 2016

AREA PROFILE

Smythesdale Scarsdale Newtown

INTRODUCTION The Northern Settlement Strategy aims to guide Council in determining sustainable areas in the northern half of the Shire to accommodate population growth to 2030.

The project study area covers approximately 1,928 square kilometres in the northern part of the Golden Plains Shire. The study area is bordered by the City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong and the Shires of Pyrenees, Moorabool and Corangamite. The strategy will incorporate a Residential Land Supply Review that includes an inventory of vacant land and considers variable factors influencing land use, a Typology of Settlements that recognises different categories of settlement from towns to rural communities and a Strategic Framework to guide future planning decision linked to growth areas and infrastructure investment.

Northern Settlement Strategy Study Area

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ROLE OF THE AREAS

SMYTHESDALE Smythesdale locality is 3452 hectares in area and is located approximately 17.97 kilometres from Ballarat and 135 kilometres from Melbourne. The Glenelg Highway runs diagonally through the town. Smythesdale is a settlement of historical significance established on the site of gold rushes in the 1850s and 1860s. The township reflects the inter-relationship between pastoral, mining and agricultural pursuits.

SCARSDALE Scarsdale is located on the Glenelg Highway, approximately 19.81km south west of Ballarat on generally level ground west of the Woady Yaloak River. The township of Scarsdale is only 3.5km from Smythesdale. The Golden Plains Planning Scheme (Clause 21.03-2) categorises Scarsdale as a town with a commercial and retail sector that serves immediate residents.

NEWTOWN Newtown is a rural locality 3 km south of Scarsdale and 23 km south-west of Ballarat. TOWNSHIP AND LOCALITY CHARACTER Townships and localities in the northern part of the Golden Plains Shire are characterised by their strong commuting linkages to Ballarat and the generally dispersed rural residential development based on communities of interest.

The townships and localities of Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Newtown form the north-west part of the study area with the main access to Ballarat via the Glenelg Highway.

SMYTHESDALE Smythesdale is characterised by its strong commuting linkages to Ballarat. The settlement is generally characterised by dispersed rural residential development. Smythesdale has been identified as the northern growth centre for the Golden Plains Shire, in a prime strategic location to service the wider catchment of rural and residential communities. Smythesdale has a distinct country-living character and the foundations of a thriving township, within commuting distance of the regional centre of Ballarat.

SCARSDALE The township of Scarsdale is linear in form and pivots around the intersection of the Ballarat-Linton Road, the Old Glenelg Highway and the Pitfield-Scarscale Road. The main public buildings are located close to the intersection. The former timber Post Office, the red brick Scarsdale Hotel and the rendered Town Hall are in a row on the east side of the Pitfield-Scarsdale Road. Scarsdale is considered a town with a commercial and retail sector that serves immediate residents.

NEWTOWN The rural locality of Newtown is marked by a scatter of buildings, and several mullock heaps comprising part of the extensive diggings along the Woady Yaloak River valley.

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HISTORY AND HERITAGE

The gold rushes were the catalyst for many towns in the northern part of the Golden Plains Shire which saw an influx of people and money that often lasted only a few years.

Steeped in gold history these towns and localities commenced their origins as canvas towns and later vibrant communities with an individual history explicitly linked to gold heritage.

SMYTHESDALE features five historic buildings of heritage and architectural value and influence. These include the former Smythesdale Court House which currently serves as the Historical Museum, the historic Gaol that was used during the goldfields period, an associated historic Stables the former Smythesdale Post Office, and the historic Court House Hotel. An older church building on this street further adds to the heritage village character.

SCARSDALE is a small settlement established on the site of gold rushes in the 1850s and 1860s. In the late 1870’s the population of Haddon-Smythesdale and Scarsdale was estimated at 16,300. A number of historical buildings dating from the nineteen century include the former Post Office, the former Shire Hall and the Scarsdale Hotel. The Scarsdale railway station was the first terminus and had so many passengers using it that in by 1890 over 20,000 people used the station each year. By 1977 most people travelled by car or bus and the station was closed.

NEWTOWN developed as an extension to the settlement of Scarsdale in 1863. At first it was called Newtown-Scarsdale then later shortened to Newtown. Newtown had its own post office and later a Presbyterian church which was generally thought to mark the boundary between Scarsdale and Newtown. There were also two hotels, several stores and a public hall. In 1890 a railway through Newtown to Linton was opened and Newtown became a railway junction when a line was constructed southwards to Cressy. The Linton line closed in 1985 and became a railway trail. Just 2 km west of Newtown, Nimmons Railway Bridge stands as a reminder of a bygone era.

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LOCALITY MAPS AND RESIDENTIAL LIVING ZONES Zones enable communities to direct the scale of development in different residential areas. A short descriptor of the Residential Zones is provided below.

The Township Zone provides for residential and other uses in small towns and enables modest housing growth. Low Density Residential Zone usually refers to low-density development on lots of 0.4 ha which can treat and retain wastewater where sewerage is not connected and subdivided to a minimum of 0.2 hectares where reticulated sewerage is connected.

The Rural Living Zone provides for residential living in a rural environment and therefore generally restricts residential change. The 2 hectare Schedule to the Rural Living Zone was introduced to enable high quality rural living development within commuting distance to Ballarat and along the Glenelg Highway.

GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE LOCAITIES

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SMYTHESDALE

Total Locality (Hectares) – 3,452

Rural Living Rural Living Township Low Density Residential Zone 2 HA Zone 8 HA Zone Zone Overlay Overlay Total Zone Area (Hectares) 58.56 91.46 329.93 1201.79 Total Dwellings 113 0 81 159 Average Dwelling Age (Years) 35 0 25.6 35.4 Vacant Parcels 237 1 24 652.75 Total Vacant (Hectares) 38.29 91.46 112 279 Dwellings built last 10 years 27 0 23 26

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SCARSDALE

Total Locality (Hectares) - 6,654

Rural Living Rural Living Township Low Density Residential Zone 2 HA Zone 8 HA Zone Zone Overlay Overlay Total Zone Area (Hectares) 48.57 417.87 8.23 1414.6 Total Dwellings 47 138 2 99 Average Dwelling Age (Years) 54.9 32.6 64.5 34 Vacant Parcels 84 81 0 237 Total Vacant (Hectares) 21.83 128.47 0 929.47 Dwellings built last 10 years 8 28 0 21

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NEWTOWN

Total Locality (Hectares) – 1,233

Rural Living Rural Living Township Low Density Residential Zone 2 HA Zone 8 HA Zone Zone Overlay Overlay Total Zone Area (Hectares) N/A 35.45 N/A 511.61 Total Dwellings N/A 30 N/A 38 Average Dwelling Age (Years) N/A 58 N/A 36.5 Vacant Parcels N/A 27 N/A 197 Total Vacant (Hectares) N/A 11 N/A 401 Dwellings built last 10 years N/A 3 N/A 6

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UTILITIES AND SERVICES For this project Utilities and Services have been grouped into three main themes: Utilities, Telecommunications and Transport.

This section identifies critical utilities and services available in each locality.

Township Utilities Telecommunications Transport Smythesdale Potable Water Supply Wireless Internet Public Transport

Smythesdale has treated Smythesdale has access to V/Line Coach drinking water supplied by NBN Fixed Wireless and between Ballarat and CHW. The main distribution Telstra copper network. Warrnambool network is mostly located Telstra provides ADSL operates 5 days a along the main road. broadband availability and week and stops at Reticulated water supply can continues to be the main Smythesdale. be extended to service new carrier for mobile connection. development, however V/Line Coach between reliance on tank water is Ballarat & Mt Gambier more likely to continue in the operate 5 days a week low density living area. and stops at Smythesdale on route. Not Available Recycled Water Natural Gas

Power 22kV HV lines running along the Glenelg Highway are the primary supply of electricity. They are fed remotely from Ballarat South (BAS) zone substation to the north-east. The main line is interconnected with lines of neighbouring towns.

Sewerage Smythesdale has a well- defined network of gravity sewers and pumping stations servicing urban development. Scarsdale Potable Water Supply Wireless Internet Public Transport

Scarsdale has treated NBN wireless internet V/Line Coach drinking water supplied by coverage is available from the between Ballarat and CHW from Ballarat via the Smythesdale tower. Telstra Warrnambool pipeline along the Glenelg provides ADSL broadband operates 5 days a Highway which extends from availability and continues to be week and stops at Smythesdale. This also the main carrier for mobile Scarsdale. extends down the Pittfield- connection. Scarsdale Road to supply V/Line Coach ribbon development then between Ballarat & stops. Mt Gambier operate 5 days a week and stops Not Available at Scarsdale on route.

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Reticulated sewerage is not available Recycle Water Natural Gas

Power The town is supplied remotely from Ballarat South zone substation from the north-east, via 22kV. Much of the town appears to be supplied by radial lines due to its relatively low density development. Newtown Potable Water Supply Wireless Internet Public Transport

Newtown has treated NBN wireless internet coverage N/A drinking water supplied by is available from the CHW from Ballarat via the Smythesdale tower. Telstra pipeline along the Glenelg provides ADSL broadband Highway which extends from availability and continues to be Smythesdale. the main carrier for mobile connection. Not Available Reticulated sewerage is not available Recycle Water Natural Gas

INFRASTRUCTURE For this project infrastructure has been grouped into six main themes: Early Years, Education, Medical, Other Services, Recreation and Retail.

This section identifies currently known infrastructure for each locality.

SMYTHESDALE SCARSDALE NEWTOWN Early Years: Education: Medical: Other Services: Recreation Retail

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ENVIRONMENTAL RISK There are a number of areas in the northern half of the Shire that are particularly susceptible to flood, bushfire and salinity risks creating potential constraints for development. These areas are mapped and represented in the Golden Plains Planning Scheme through land use controls (overlays).

This section identifies mapped hazards in the Golden Plains Planning Scheme for localities in the northern part of the Shire.

PLANNING SCHEME OVERLAY OBJECTIVES Bushfire Management Overlay The objective of the BMO is to ensure that development of BMO land prioritises the protection of human life and strengthens community resilience to bushfire. Land Subject to Inundation The objective of the LSIO is to ensure that development LSIO maintains the free passage and temporary storage of floodwaters, minimises flood damage, is compatible with the flood hazard and local drainage conditions and will not cause any significant rise in flood level or flow velocity. Salinity Management Overlay The objective of the SMO is to facilitate the stabilisation of SMO areas affected by salinity, revegetate areas which contribute to salinity, encourage development to be undertaken in a manner which brings about a reduction in salinity recharge and prevent damage to buildings and infrastructure from saline discharge and high water tables.

SMYTHESDALE

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Bushfire Management Overlay 3086.03 89.40% Land Subject to Inundation Overlay 163.97 4.75% Salinity Management Overlay 35.75 1.01%

SCARSDALE

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Bushfire Management Overlay 5749.91 86.41% Land Subject to Inundation Overlay 135.86 2.04% Salinity Management Overlay 58.34 0.88%

NEWTOWN

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Bushfire Management Overlay 315.63 25.60% Land Subject to Inundation Overlay 98.42 7.98% Salinity Management Overlay N/A N/A

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To view the ordinance that display the overlays contained within the scheme please visit, http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/goldenplains and follow the steps.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS The Golden Plains Shire features rich and diverse environmental landscapes and heritage assets. Balancing rural residential development along with natural hazards associated with the northern part of the Shire is a key challenge for this strategy. Areas identified in the Golden Plains Planning Scheme as social assets protected through land use controls (overlays) are listed below.

This section identifies environmental assets mapped in the Golden Plains Planning Scheme for localities in the northern part of the Shire.

PLANNING SCHEME OVERLAY OBJECTIVES Environmental Significance The objective of the ESO3 is to protect environmental attributes in Overlay the area which vary from remnant vegetation, unspoiled habitats, ESO3 scientific importance, natural beauty, natural heritage and unique geological formations Environment Significance Overlay The object of the ESO2 is to prevent the degradation of water quality ESO2 and erosion and protect habitat and vegetation.

Heritage Overlay The objective of the HO is to conserve and enhance heritages place HO of natural or cultural significance.

Significant Landscape Overlay The objective of the SLO 10 to recognise and protect the significant SLO 10 landscape values of the Scarsdale Avenue of Honour as a dramatic entrance feature into the township. Significant Landscape Overlay The objective of the SLO 11 to recognise and protect the significant SLO 11 landscape values of the World War 1 Avenue of Honour as a dramatic entrance feature into the township. Significant Landscape Overlay The objective of the SLO 12 to recognise and protect the significant SLO 12 landscape values of the Former Smythesdale Botanic Gardens. Vegetation Protection Overlay The objective of the VPO2 is to contain significant remnant VPO2 vegetation located within bushland reserves and government road reserves. Vegetation Protection Overlay The objective of the VPO1 is to protect areas of remnant grasslands VPO1 which are significant for their representative nature of the Western Plains Grasslands

SMYTHESDALE

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 2 243.38 7.05% Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 3 226.94 6.57% Heritage Overlays 205.47 5.95% Page 12

Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 12 3.83 0.11% Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 2 61.92 1.79%

SCARSDALE

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 2 223.5 3.35% Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 3 27.40 0.41% Heritage Overlays 20.40 0.3% Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 10 0.85 0.012% Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 11 0.58 0.008% Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 2 65.99 0.99%

NEWTOWN

RISKS HECTARES COVERED PERCENTAGE OF LOCALITY COVERED Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 2 191.37 15.52% Heritage Overlays 0.29 0.02% Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 11 2.002 0.16% Vegetation Protection Overlay Schedule 2 11.96 0.97%

To view maps that display the overlays contained within the scheme please visit, http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/goldenplains/maps and follow the steps or contact Golden Plains Planning Department (03) 5220 7111.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL

Native vegetation in the Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Newtown area comprises extensive areas of remnant and regrowth Heathy Dry Forest primarily on public land to the east and west of the townships on the Glenelg Highway corridor. There are extensive areas of forestry plantation to the west of the study area.

The Woady Yaloak River; arising from headwaters in the very north of the municipality, parallels the Glenelg Highway corridor to the west of Smythesdale and Scarsdale before heading south to the west of Newtown. It is fed by many small tributaries entering the river from both the east and west. The upper reaches are in relatively good condition with the exception of infestations of Spiny Rush, Gorse and Willows.

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Pest plants and animals include rabbits, foxes, Spiny Rush, Gorse and Willows.

KEY POLICY REFERENCE

Regional Context: Central Highland Regional Growth Plan: The Central Highland Regional Growth Plan provides a regional approach to land use planning in the Central Highlands. It covers the north-west section of the Golden Plains Shire as well as a number of neighbouring municipalities. The plan seeks to accommodate growth and manage change over the next 30 years. The plan identifies Smythesdale as the preferred location for growth in the northern part of the Golden Plains Shire and along the Glenelg Corridor.

In addition, the plan also promotes a number of measures to protect the rural landscape character including using planning provisions to create clear urban boundaries and maintain development to locations with minimal landscape impact. The plan recognizes a number of key influences that need to be managed within the context of significant environmental and economic assets and risks from natural hazards (especially flood and bushfire). The plan promotes the development of sustainable and vibrant communities and encourages the Golden Plains Shire to capitalise on its close links with Ballarat.

Golden Plains Municipal Strategic Statement: Clause 21.03-2 Historic subdivisions have left a legacy of fragmented landholding in the north-west of the Shire and there is a proliferation of low density residential development in isolated areas devoid of appropriate infrastructure. Future planning of the north west area must take into account the timely provision of servicing and infrastructure for more dispersed communities, the disposal of effluent on-site where reticulated services are unavailable and meeting the need for planned rural residential development according to demand and supply projections to provide for sustainable long term land and environmental management.

Smythesdale Urban Design Framework: The framework establishes guidelines that control development and growth of the town over time. It builds upon the township’s lifestyle choice that is offered in terms of access to land, housing, community services, school, recreational opportunities and support from services located in Ballarat. The framework also promotes the heritage of Smythesdale and the immediate district.

Scarsdale Structure Plan: The Scarsdale Structure Plan clearly identifies the extent of the town and accommodates future expansion and low density residential development south of the Glenelg Highway. The plan promotes the historical significance of housing and landscapes in the Scarsdale area.

Newtown: The locality of Newtown does not have a structure plan.

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