DRAFT SUBMISSION on SMRC Michelago Masterplan consultation Introduction Michelago Region Community Association Inc (MRCA) thanks the Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) for the Michelago Masterplan process, and for its consultative approach to planning the future of Michelago. We have examined the: ● Draft Michelago Masterplan Scenarios for Exhibition (the Draft Masterplan Scenarios), ● Michelago Masterplan - postcard A5 (the postcard), ● Kitchen Table Discussion Guide (the Kitchen Table Guide), ● Michelago scenarios summary presentation (13.6 MB) (‘the growth scenarios paper’), and the ● Growth Scenarios Survey (the consultation documents), and provide the following comments. As we have previously submitted, a strategic plan to guide the development of Michelago is needed urgently so this is not left solely to the discretion of developers or landholders. The consultation documents set out the issues helpfully, and MRCA to the extent possible has listened to community responses on the various potential growth scenarios put forward. MRCA submission on SMRC Michelago Masterplan consultation DRAFT The Briefing Paper and Growth Scenarios paper make clear that water availability is a threshold question when considering potential development of Michelago, and that even low or medium growth would require the provision of water and sewerage services. We agree that any proposal to develop such services which would require a detailed assessment of the environmental impacts of the various options and costs to the council and community, and we do not believe the case has been made. We therefore submit that the ‘Scenario A’ growth scenario be adopted for Michelago and region into the future. The ‘Scenario A’ position set out in this document represents what we believe to be the view of the substantial majority of Michelago and region landholders. We respond as follows to the questions posed in your consultation documents. What type of development? The Michelago community has spoken strongly and clearly - any development should be sympathetic with, and enhancing of, the rural village character that makes Michelago special. This unique character is key. Development that is incongruous with or detracts from that character is unwelcome. This is something all Michelagans agree on, and it is fundamental to our responses to the following questions. The MRCA supports growth only to the extent that it is genuinely and holistically sustainable. This applies to lot and population size, energy and water source and usage, transportation and waste treatment. Any development must be undertaken with utmost care and respect for the environment. The aim should be to require the environmental impact to be positive, and based on scientific studies. How much development, and to what extent should water and sewerage services be provided (and if so, where does the water come from)? As the consultation documents make clear, these questions are inseparable. Population growth above say 500 cannot be countenanced without reticulated services. Conversely, reticulated services (assuming water availability) would allow significant growth of the village to many times the current population. We have considered this question from both perspectives: First, as above, the key is retaining Michelago’s rural amenity. Part of this amenity is unquestionably the charm of the relatively small population of the village and region. Part is the self-serviced and substantially off-grid lifestyle of the region. We have heard that people moved to Michelago because of these characteristics, and that most would be loath to change it. Population We consider that it would be possible, if done sensitively and appropriately, to double the current population of the village without damaging its rural village ambience. On the other 2 DRAFT end of the spectrum, turning Michelago into a town of several thousand - which could lead to a 10 fold population increase - would certainly destroy its rural village character, no matter how it was executed. Self-servicing One of Michelago’s rural charm features is its relative self-sufficiency. We heard loudly and clearly that a majority of attendees at the recent ‘Geocon information session’ do not want reticulated services to be part of the future of Michelago. The GHD Water and Wastewater scoping study 2020 recommends using water from the Murrumbidgee River, based on a population of 12,000. This highly costly infrastructure project would obviously not be viable with the growth scenario recommended in this submission. Nor have we heard from landholders that such a service is wanted. In fact, we have heard loud and clear that it is not. The unserviced option also affords an opportunity: for the Michelago and region community to become a model of sustainability. Environment The Murrumbidgee River riparian zone is a high conservation value ecosystem that contains critical aquatic habitats of several nationally-listed threatened species. It would require rigorous environmental impact assessment and a very sound cost-benefit analysis to justify the works that would be required for the higher growth scenarios. As above, the majority of Michelago landholders are strongly opposed to such works, as well as to the higher growth scenarios. Buildings Buildings should be required to model energy efficient design, including solar passive orientation and renewable energy systems. Adoption of leading edge technologies and design from around the world should be promoted and encouraged. Architecture should be low rise, and should blend into the rural setting. It should not detract from our stunning mountainous or rural landscape. Dwellings should suit a range of income levels and a range of demographics. Lot sizes We have heard from the community that in order to maintain Michelago’s rural amenity and ‘off grid’ lifestyle, blocks should be of a size and number that can be self-serviced, with rainwater tanks and environmentally sound toilet systems. We therefore suggest, for example, that a minimum block size of 1,800m2 should apply in an expanded village. Larger block sizes of say 8 to 20 ha would be acceptable on land 3 DRAFT surrounding the village. This would attract new residents who wish to have for example a couple of horses, to plant trees and/or to engage in small scale horticulture. In particular, development of all lots should require: ● sufficient rainwater tank capacity to service the block, ● leading edge toilet systems that do not use potable water for flushing, and that produce safe waste in the form of usable compost, ● energy efficient design incorporating solar passive orientation, ● solar panels and new technology battery storage. Allowance could be made for dual occupancy as appropriate, for granny flats to enable residents to care for aging parents or family members; Recommendations for the Michelago Masterplan We request that the following items be included in the Michelago Masterplan: ● clear maps showing: ○ a bridge or causeway connecting Ryrie St with Micalago Road, ○ a combined foot/cycle path on one side of the full length of Ryrie Street and connecting to Micalago Road, providing a safe route for children to and from school, ○ areas to be set aside for expansion of the Michelago Primary School, a new showground and pony club (see below), walking trails, ○ potential commercial zoning for lots in and around the village centre, and ○ a village square on the location of the old fire shed. We do not support the location of Council’s suggested growth areas in lots 13 and 14 to the north beside the Monaro Highway, other than for large lots of say 8-20ha. We believe any higher density in this area will bifurcate the village into old and new Michelago. Nobody wants to see a separate new community next door to the existing rural village. Any commercial or residential development should be centred around the existing village. thereby bringing traffic through the centre of town and keeping the General Store, Community Hall, Fire Shed, new town square and Railway Station at the centre of the action. This would ensure the new development is fully integrated with the existing village. What does the community want for Michelago’s future development? Michelago has been widely known as ‘the forgotten village’ on account of its lack of council-provided services. We submit that the development of a Michelago Masterplan provides a unique opportunity to redress some of the shortcomings and to make provision for further improvements in the future that maintain the essential character of the village. Infrastructure There is no doubt that the community would welcome improved facilities, infrastructure and services, and we submit that as Michelago is the least serviced village in the local 4 DRAFT government area, some infrastructure improvements are appropriate and fair. We submit that the following should be included in the Michelago Masterplan: Road works We submit that the following should be included in the Masterplan: ● A bridge or causeway connecting Micalago Road to Ryrie Street. As we have previously submitted, this is the most urgent requirement for the village and surrounding areas. As a result of the $830,000 that was allocated from the Bridges Renewal Program to meet half the cost of the Little Plains River Bridge near Delegate, we were assured of funding for the full cost of the Michelago Causeway ($700,000) from the $1.7 million that Snowy Monaro will receive from the Commonwealth's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. As the MRCA and the community has submitted repeatedly, this is a huge safety issue, including for fire brigade response times and for Michelago Primary School children, and it cannot be delayed further. ● Improvement to the entranceway to the village from the highway, to attract people in transit and to ensure safety under the increased usage that will occur, even under ‘Scenario A - status quo’ growth. ● A plan for sealing Micalago Road, Tinderry Road, and Burra Road. ● An access road connecting St Patrick’s Catholic Church to the village so that the dangerous highway entry can be closed.