SMALL TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS STRATEGY
SECOND ROUND CONSULTATIONS
December 2015
BUNGAREE
page 2
DUNNSTOWN
page 6
ELAINE
page 9
MYRINIONG
page 12
WALLACE
page 16
1
BUNGAREE 2ND ROUND WORKSHOP – 14 DECEMBER, 2015
TOWNSHIP ATTRIBUTES
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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Bungaree’s exceptional community spirit.
Nice and Quiet.
The social aspect of the community.
Residents do know one another and care about how people are keeping.
History – there are many stories shared between the older residents and young. Proud to be a
Bungaree resident to see the recent change and success.
Location to major City.
Community feel.
Farming district.
Location – Ballarat, Melbourne, Geelong and Surf coast.
History.
Rural Setting.
The existing facilities/infrastructure.
The Community.
The recreation facility.
Town Water.
Community, lifestyle, close to Ballarat and Melbourne facilities.
A spacious, comfortable density, acknowledging much more room for growth.
Community strength.
Capacity to know neighbours, comfortable lifestyle.
Community feel.
Community Centre.
School.
Churches.
Historical Society.
CFA.
Bungaree Community Centre.
Our Community (people).
Local Store.
Football/Netball Club.
Rural Community – lots of community activities.
Peace and Quiet.
Very Welcoming.
Friendliness.
Services – eg. Sport, church school, shop & post office.
Closeness to Ballarat.
Quiet and peaceful.
The country area and locals that are still there.
Easy access to Ballarat and areas.
Proximity to Ballarat.
Sporting facilities.
Social connection between people.
Rural feel.
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Closeness to Ballarat – far away when you need it and close enough to be handy.
Lifestyle, friendliness, everyone knows everyone, great community spirit.
General Store, Schools & Community Centre.
Access to Ballarat.
Rural/Town attitude.
Community Centre & Activities.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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Planning restrictions to town growth due to lack of basic service infrastructure (sewer).
Lack of safe freeway access.
Needs more trees.
Better access to Highway (Freeway)
Water pooling on roads
From our recent Planning Application experience there seems to be a gap in whether growth is an
option or not. As residents we don’t know whether there is the capacity to change.
Nothing.
Difficulty in finding blocks to build a house.
The restrictions on growth.
No sewerage.
Western Highway access.
Highway access to Ballarat.
Lack of footpaths.
Insufficient size to sustain (long term) local community, namely shop, hotel, sports club, local
employment, community.
Lack of growth.
Lack of building blocks.
Poor Roads.
Fortnightly rubbish collection.
Funding larger areas of the Shire.
Not having natural gas going through the town.
Not enough walking tracks.
Highway access.
Difficult to build due to Catchment/Planning Permit restrictions.
No natural gas.
No natural gas.
Exit of our locals who age and have no facilities to keep them here.
No chance of our young to build here.
Restriction imposed by Authorities.
Chance to grow was taken away, then told Town not big enough to warrant services.
Nothing really. We wouldn’t live here if we didn’t like it.
No public transport.
No Railway Station.
Freeway access at Leigh Creek.
Access to the Freeway.
Facilities such as gas.
Few employment opportunities for young people apart from farming.
Slow trucks as they enter town.
WHAT SHOULD CHANGE?
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The ability to increase population through subdivision.
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Access to Freeway.
In some ways we need to engage more with Bacchus Marsh and the East as this is where the
services are managed from We seem to have a much closer relationship with Ballarat.
Allow more residential buildings in the area.
Freeway access.
Street scaling.
Funding for Bowling Club.
More support for community facility.
Public Transport.
I would like to see growth in blocks to build within the township zone.
I’d like to see the sewerage put in to facilitate the town grow to a small village.
We need more young families.
Highway access to Ballarat!!
Footpaths.
Make the process for building permits easier.
Sensible growth, need to balance residential/township development with need to maintain lifestyles.
By this I mean not cheap development, but commitment to sensible and long term growth.
Water Board restrictions.
Building restrictions.
Gas.
Highway.
New facility for the future of the School.
Sewerage.
Safer access to the Freeway on the Western end of Bungaree.
A proper on and off ramp from the freeway, getting more dangerous each year, traffic faster and
more numerous.
The access on to the freeway travelling west is a serious accident waiting to happen.
Access to Freeway.
Sewerage to enable growth.
Gas bought across from Wallace.
More growth – availability of building lots to encourage young families in, help the School remain
open.
Plant trees.
Better access to freeway.
Retirement facilities.
Sewerage.
Slow or divert heavy traffic.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KEEP?
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St John’s Anglican Church.
School and other services.
Everything.
The landscape.
Community feel.
The Community feel.
General Store.
Football/Netball Club.
Churches.
All the things I like about the town.
N/A. It is really about how we collectively grow and develop for the future.
Recreation Reserve.
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Rural feel.
School.
Historical Society.
Shop (local).
Keep focus on farmland.
Larger lot sizes.
The quiet atmosphere, although not against some more houses around the town. Maybe double
population and natural gas and some practical septic system.
The locals that forged this town to make it what it is today.
To do this we need infrastructure.
The capacity to determine own future.
Keep Bungaree the way it is, a great community to live in, but encourage growth.
Community involvement.
Accessibility to help make change.
VISION
1. Town that is sustainable.
 This concept needs a population sufficient to access sewerage & gas (whatever that population
is).
 A sustainable town enables someone to come to the town, access/build a house, enable young
families to live, to maintain Schools, to provide for older folk to leave the farm house but no
necessarily the area.
 To support small business.
(19 votes)
2. I would like to see Bungaree as a thriving small town village within the township zone of along the
Bungaree/Wallace Road. It should have sewerage and natural gas, good access to the freeway. We
need to keep School, General Store, Churches, Hotel, sporting teams all going. (9 votes)
3. I would like Bungaree to be a town where, if they wish, my children could buy or build a house and stay
within the area. I’d like to be able to grow old within the area and catch the bus or train into Ballarat,
to access health care and services in my old age. More development in the Industrial area of Bungaree
to encourage local employment. Development largely limited to the Main Street. (7 votes)
4. Double the population to 400 with house size blocks made available along the Main Road. Also this
will make facilities such as the Recreation Reserve, School, and shop within walking distance and
reduce traffic. More community feel about it.
Breaking up established farms into 5 acres should be avoided as it will destroy the rural feel of
Bungaree. (6 votes)
5. The peace and quiet of Bungaree is the most valued aspect of the township. The small and cohesive
community is its most important and valued resource. Our vision for this small and idyllic hamlet to
improve the environment to ensure better amenities for community, whilst retaining our most valued
small community and peaceful way of life.
Maybe two small housing estates the type that was previously sold to encourage growth. (6 votes)
6. Bungaree as a Village.
 Support with district schools, community centres
 Development that promotes and sustains our rural urban character
 Liveability.
 Having options that respect different requirement and life requirements.
 Small town atmosphere.
 Neighbourhood character (1 vote)
5
DUNNSTOWN 2ND ROUND WORKSHOP – 9 DECEMBER, 2015
TOWNSHIP ATTRIBUTES
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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Sense of Community.
Agricultural connections.
Natural Landscape of area and entry to town.
History.
Turbine Free.
The position of the town.
The location.
The surrounding landscape.
The people (community).
Church, School, Football Ground, the Pub Building.
School.
Granite Creek.
Community Centre.
Location.
Lived here all my life,
“Was” an excellent, vibrant town.
Great School, Recreation Reserve and Community Building.
Lifestyle, something has to change on Granite Creek which is full of human waste.
Lifestyle, community spirit.
Close to Ballarat.
Rural Outlook.
Lifestyle.
Rural.
Close to Ballarat.
Footy Club.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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That perhaps it is too small at present.
The truck traffic.
The growth restrictions due to water catchment.
Trucks.
Almost degenerating into a Retirement Village. “Through Restrictions” young people unable to build
in the town.
Community Spirit.
No Main Water, gas and sewer system.
Hasn’t any landscaping e.g. trees leading into town to say we belong to Dunnstown.
Central Highland Water.
Wind Farm being built in the area.
Size.
No Infrastructure.
Wind farm too close.
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No water.
No sewer.
WHAT SHOULD CHANGE?
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Like to see tree planting and gateways to town.
Walking Trails.
Erect historic signs and photographs to encourage visiting and reflect a pride.
Signage to reflect the character of the town.
Hopefully we can get more growth in the town so that our services can survive. Perhaps slowing the
trucks down.
Need a train stop.
Love the idea of a tree boulevard.
Sewerage to the town.
More Trees.
Expand the township boundaries.
Should be Government funding towards Water Supply.
Water Board attitude.
Without population School closes, Community closes.
Like to see village concept.
Allow subdivision for town to survive into the future.
Walking & Cycling tracks.
Next generation to build houses.
Older generation help with transport and services to stay in their homes.
More Development.
Size.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KEEP?
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All.
Embrace the wonderful community and farming enterprises, including boutique industries e.g.
Inglenook paddock to plate.
Visitors to meet farmers and buy direct.
Keep our services.
All the Historical Buildings.
School, Church Community Centre.
Keep semi-rural with town to develop around eating town.
School, Church & Sporting venue.
Families connection with in the towns e.g. next generation to build houses.
VISION
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To maintain the wonderful farming connection of paddock to plate. To encourage other to share in the
riches of the community. To provide a pride of the community by physically making the layout with
appropriate autumn and tree boulevards, historic signage, walking trails etc.
To not industrialise the landscape with wind turbines and to not be faced with decaying turbines across
the landscape upon returning in 25 years. No turbines here!
To enhance the beautiful and wonderful features of the town and surround landscape.
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To have a lovely railway station that draws others to the area and to allow people to commute to
Melbourne and Ballarat. With a beautiful village environment and commuters that can drive and board
the train will encourage others to want to come and live in this beautiful community. (7 dots)
Dunnstown in 25 years
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I would like to see moderate growth with Dunnstown have around 500 residents. A tree boulevard
would be a welcoming touch (non-native) linking the Mount (Mt Warrenheip) to the town with some
walking track for people.
A train station which suits the town would be great for both Ballarat people to visit the town and
Dunnstown people to travel to Ballarat.
It would be lovely to see Dunnstown as a tourist attraction with some local food places or markets.
Sewerage and Water would be vital for the growth of the town.
It would be great if the town could keep that nice village feel. (14 dots)
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I would like to see Dunnstown have the capability to expand to a size of up to 1,000 to 2,000 people.
To do this I feel that we at least need both water and gas supplied to the area.
The reason I feel that we need to expand is because to a point I feel that the town is dying to a point
that our facilities are not fully utilised.
I also would like to know what the capabilities area of using self-contained septic systems in the unlikely
event of sewerage coming to the town. (12 dots)
Like to see a village concept where rural and urban can live side by side. (1 dot)
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A rural farming area value adding of farm produce.
A touch of diversified farming and tourism of farms. (1 dot)
Railway Station to see community able to access public transport to Ballarat on a day to day use, eg.
Getting to work. .
That the town is 5,000 strong.
8
ELAINE 2ND ROUND WORKSHOP – 16 DECEMBER, 2015
TOWNSHIP ATTRIBUTES
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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Location.
History.
Pub.
The locals – community spirit.
Location
History (Gaold, Railway, Wool)
Quiet, laid back.
Quiet & friendly.
A quiet place to live.
Country, quiet.
Sports facilities for families.
Campers at Hunts Bridge.
Shop & Quiet.
Post Office.
Hall.
Its location on the Highway.
The Mt. Doran State Forest.
Its agricultural background.
The local people.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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Not a lot of trade.
No public toilet.
No signage.
Public Transport.
Lack of truck stops.
Lack of public toilets.
Lack of Exposure.
No public toilets.
No Avenue of Honour.
No Signage.
Have no complaints, as people get older perhaps day bus to Ballan for meal and meeting other
people.
Lack of opportunity for young people.
Not enough speed sign and speed limits.
Presentation.
Telstra – Communications.
Shocking Roads.
Not enough speed signs.
The lack of town hub.
Lack of houses & businesses.
Very little town hub growth in last 30 years.
9
WHAT SHOULD CHANGE?
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Provision of truck stops.
Provision of Public toilets.
? Wind farm!
Install History Boards (Tourism)
Open up space between Railway Crossing and General Store.
Play area.
Recreation Reserve – Slip Lane.
Dual Highway.
Significant signage.
Move Mechanics Hall to Church area.
Public Toilets.
Green Grass with play and rest area.
Enlarge the service lane.
Better mobile phone reception – have to move around outside to hear.
Day trips.
Toilet Block at Hunts Bridge, very lovely camp ground.
Telephone reception.
Water Supply.
More services to Seniors when needs farm assistance and sickness.
Bore for water.
Road blockages by farmers.
Would like to see more trees in the Main Street.
More houses & businesses.
Walking tracks around town streets.
Train Station from Ballarat to Geelong.
Public toilets in Main part of town.
A bore in township.
A tree-lined entry into town.
Large Elaine town signs.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KEEP?
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The Pub.
Service lane is essential.
The history.
Pub.
Recreation Reserve.
Post Office Shop that it stays is really a good service.
General Store.
Produce Store.
Post Office Store essential.
New Business?
Sport Ground & Store.
Hall Meeting Place.
The businesses in the town.
Shop, farm supplies, sports facilities, community hall.
Sports Ground.
Shop.
The General Store.
Hotel.
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Hall.
Recreation Reserve.
Elaine Farm Supplies store.
VISION
1. In the future the township will grow at a small, but steady pace, much more than it has in the last 50
years. The proximity close to Ballarat, Buninyong, Geelong and Melbourne will ensure the village
become more vibrant.
It will retain its agricultural emphasis, but the township hub will grow as inevitably the population will
expand and more people decide to live in the area.
With terrific transport prospects (Midland Highway and Geelong/Ballarat railway line) access has
excellent opportunities to expand the town and give people living here easy access to bigger cities with
all services.
There will be small businesses and it will be known as a stopping point for travellers along the Highway
and Railway Line. (7 votes)
2.
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Trees lining town. (2 votes)
Drive in rest area, caravans etc. (4 votes)
Caravan for coffee stop.
Signs.
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Farmers Market
Introduction of an “Aussie Produce Tasting Centre”.
Expansion of local General Store.
Public toilets require H2O - ? Bore Water.
Tourism Boards
Walking trails to encompass “Gold History”.
Improve entry and exit to make truck access easier and safer. This applies to tourist
campers/trailers & vans.
Heritage facades on the businesses (or “area specific” frontage).
Encourage the movement of the Mechanics Hall to the Church.
Widen the Highway opposite shop (Ballarat bound) from Produce Store to Railway line.
Internet and TV coverage to be improved considerably please. (15 votes)
3.
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Midland Highway
Signage 1 Km
Signage 1 Km
Service Lane
Produce
Store
T
HB
Tasting
Centre
PT
Pearsons Road
T = Telephone
B = Bus Stop
PT = Public Toilets
HB = History Board
PUB
BS
Church
(1 Acre)
11
MYRNIONG 2ND ROUND WORKSHOP – 15 DECEMBER, 2015
TOWNSHIP ATTRIBUTES
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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I love the views, the silence, and peace.
The Community.
The School.
The Church.
The name.
Country atmosphere.
Peace and quiet.
The sense of community.
Landscape.
Peace & Quiet.
The undulating scenery.
The space – peacefulness.
Its rural feel.
Proximity to Ballarat and Western Melbourne.
“The Plough”.
Country views and serenity.
Peaceful.
Rural Lifestyle.
Scenery.
Country feel.
I like the old heritage look of it and the farming.
Sense of community (shown through events such as “Music in the Park”)
The welcome sign (i.e. the pipe-artwork)
The forests.
Space.
Community.
Age mix.
Country connection.
The base of facilities present to build upon.
Size, quietness.
The surrounding rural farmland and lack of development.
Welcoming community and a willingness to get involved.
The Plough – a successful business we can be proud of.
The surrounding rural farmland and lack of development.
Family amenities – Recreation Hall, Reserve, Tennis Courts.
Access to Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.
WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TOWN?
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No public transport at all.
Not much for teenagers.
Internet.
Too small.
Lack of facilities & services.
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Poor internet access.
Lack of public transport.
Rubbish at Pykes Creek Reservoir.
The messy/untidy look from the freeway (back of houses) is unsightly.
Lack of public pathways to outer areas.
Lack of more formal facilities to keep and build sporting clubs around.
Landscaping of town centre.
That Pykes Creek Reservoir is drained and not an adequate supply of water is left for an attraction
for the area.
Very poor internet service.
It would be nice if the Ballarat/Airport shuttle stopped.
Lack of sporting Clubs/opportunities.
Under-utilisation of facilities, i.e. Recreation Reserve.
Lack of signage for facilities/views.
Lack of internet.
The lack of services, lack of internet.
No footpaths so you can go for a walk.
No NBN.
No small General Store/Café.
Lack of internet access (up Mt Blackwood)!!
The fact that the Plough menu has not changed in the five years I have lived here!
Lack of water, i.e. public standpipe.
Fire Risk.
WHAT SHOULD CHANGE?
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Internet.
Sustainability, planned growth.
Access to the internet (better access).
More consistent speed limits (lower when passing residential areas).
Greater youth and sporting facilities.
More access to the internet.
Allow more development, eg. Subdivision and allow the town to grow.
Biking & Walking Tracks.
More community events/to get to know each other.
Biking/Walking tracks (safe, off the road).
Secondary School.
General Store – small supermarket.
Oval for junior sports.
Maybe a larger population so we can bring in more services like, Secondary Schools, Milk Bar.
Public transport access.
Inter-community consultation (possibility of combining with other small towns nearby to run events).
Bus shelter for school travellers.
Vision set and built upon.
Improvement of present facilities.
Small amount of development.
Facilities for aged/downsizing.
Transport options to adjoining towns and Parks.
A bus a couple of times a day to and from Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.
Small General Store/Café.
Telecommunications.
Ability of others to come and visit/experience without changing it.
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NBN
Mark Mills Menu!
Café/coffee shop.
Some community festival to replace ‘Music in the Park’.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KEEP?
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To be honest I live it just the way it is.
Rural aspects.
Size.
Country & Community feel.
Everything is nice how it is.
Avenue with trees.
Peace & Quiet.
The old look of the town.
Community events, community ‘feel’.
Space (i.e. physical views, tree scape.
Community Village feel.
 Farming commercial us of land.
 Community involvement.
 Small town (village) feel.
 The rural farm scape up Mt Blackwood and to the North of town.
VISION
1. A rural community made up primarily of rural farms and large lifestyle properties, surrounding and
supporting close (not sprawling) town centre, sustaining a vibrant social and involved community of
people who ‘look out’ for their neighbours, welcome visitors. A Village which provides opportunities
to share in the peaceful rural lifestyle and experiences without changing and destroying it. Where
extensive services are provided from accessible centres of Bacchus Marsh and Ballan and via high
speed internet. (11 votes)
2.
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Myrniong would have access to the public transport network. (3 votes)
It would have retained its rural setting, with an emphasis on the natural beauty already here (i.e.
the views).
There will exist diversity in the events that are run, working with the surrounding small communities
to surge tourism for these times but not permanently.
Residential expanse but not an expanse in the facilities but utilisation of already existing ones (of
those within Myrniong itself and surrounding communities) and creation where there is lack.
3. My vision would be to see a more picturesque town.
 Tidy gardens/flower beds. (1 vote)
 Walking paths. (1 vote)
 Lighting – Street Lighting.
 A ‘wow” factor that entices people to visit ore move here, i.e. (Statue, nice feature)
 Community events where people share life/special occasions together.
 Ballarat shuttlebus pick up/drop off point!
 Nice cemented edges on side of roads, leading up to paths (more presentable).
 More trees planted.
 Gas supply.
 Better telecommunication service.
 Picnic area (community meeting place with cover to shade/keep dry in rain).
 Somewhere to buy milk locally.
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
Botanic Park with flowers etc and sportsfield/tennis court.


To make the town attract more people to come to it and enjoy the scenery and the views.
To have enough residents to have our own services like, restaurants, parks, jobs, buses, shops
and not need to go elsewhere.
The town to keep the old farming look to it. (2 Votes)
To have enough people in it to have sports activities for our kids and to have enough kids in the
town to make our own teams. (1 Vote)
To have parks and places for younger people that don’t drive to have somewhere to go close by.
(2 votes)
4.



5. A small township of defined size with a strong connection to its farming heritage and ongoing rural
lifestyle. A town well connected to its surrounding hamlets by path and track. The great landscape of
lake and hills maintained and enhanced through greater utilisation and access. A community that
caters for family and retires alike keeping all within its communities. (3 votes)
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WALLACE 2ND ROUND WORKSHOP – 8 DECEMBER, 2015
Votes Vision
9
Gateway to Ballarat
2
Distinctive village feel where growth is managed
1
Tourism flourishing around themes of food, wine, heritage
1
Connection between Wallace and Bungaree (Walking/bike)
Alternate affordable, quiet and relaxed country lifestyle
A small thriving rural township where all people have easy access by foot and by bicycle to all
features and facilities.
A small rural town which can share its lifestyle, accessibility, resources and warmth with the
region
Votes What will Wallace look like in 25 years?
2
Growth Corridor off Freeway – similar to Westcotts Road Large Blocks possible - 1 Acre? "Hobby
Houses"
2
Tree & Streetscape
2
Relaxed planning controls around 'rural' industry and accommodation and food
2
Pedestrian accessibility linking attractions
1
Farmers Market/Local Produce
1
Parklands/oval facilities upgraded – Asphalt & paths
1
Bed n Brekky – Relaxing Weekend getaway
1
Hotel Accommodation Centre
1
Bed n Brekky – Relaxing Weekend getaway
1
Hotel Accommodation Centre
1
Availability of local produce
1
Limited residential development
1
To bring in families to the area needed; childcare facilities and support
Increased employment opportunities
Maintain country lifestyle/living
Community Usage – Hall? Upgraded and utilised by locals.
Tidy Town – Overgrowth on Naturestrips
Limited speed near facilities/homes
Better Signage
Better Buses and Train Services
16
Encourage
Very happy with Wallace just the way it is in 25 years time hopefully will be the same. If it grows
like Bacchus Marsh and Ballan we will probably move on.
In 25 years I see this Village developed as a small to mid town.
Transport is essential
Tourism - Dairy Factory Combination
Housing Acre Blocks
Retirement Village
A quiet village, that accommodates small cafes, tourist destination, which is easily accessible for
Tourist (buses) to view, market and facilities (No build of Housing)
Quiet Town
Small Cafes
Tourist resorts/destination
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6. The future of Myrniong would be
 To continue with the village feel and character. (1 vote)
 To embrace its heritage and educate locals and visitors alike, including historical drive, walks etc.
 To be supplied with services by Bacchus Marsh and Ballan as they grow.
 To have a small regular bus services connected Ballan and Bacchus Marsh to Myrniong.
 To have NBN available to all. (6 votes)
7. My vision is to continue strong sense of community.
 For the town to retain its rural setting with rolling hills.
 Some form of public transport.
 More things for teenagers.
 Internet that works. (3 votes)

8. A place that has retained its “Village” (small town) and country feel that still provides a safe and inviting
place for children to grow up. Which has not been left behind in terms of basic telecommunications
necessary for business and education. (3 votes)
9. To preserve the rural setting of the town. (1 vote)
10. I would like to see Myrniong grow, allow more subdivision. Allow houses on acreages less than
100acres.
11. Myrniong will remain a country lifestyle/getaway to Melbourne and Ballarat.
18