The Greater Bendigo City Council has adopted the Golden Square Structure Plan, Background Report, the Urban Design Framework and Golden Square Heritage Study and will seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and exhibit a Planning Scheme Amendment to implement this extensive planning work.
The Golden Square Structure Plan aims to develop a land use framework to transform the suburb over time. The plan will help to improve liveability, make better use of existing vacant land, drive employment, and consider a plan for residential, commercial and industrial growth.
Key directions from both the Golden Square Structure Plan and Urban Design Framework include:
- Buildings and areas of heritage significance that are valued by the community will be protected
- Creation of a space for community events and social interaction in the heart of the retail and commercial core
- Support the construction of contemporary shop-top apartments within the retail and commercial core
- Reopen the Golden Square Train Station, which is to be located to the east of the former station, between Maple and Laurel Streets, and will have a strong connection to the town centre
- Support the construction of two or three storey townhouse or apartment-style dwellings on the underdeveloped land fronting Bendigo Creek. Encourage these properties to have an outlook onto the Bendigo Creek
The Golden Square Heritage Study recommends a Heritage Overlay be applied to 47 places, including 32 individual heritage places and 15 heritage precincts.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said Golden Square was uniquely placed within urban Bendigo, with a mix of attributes and huge potential.
"It has a diverse range of businesses, recreation facilities, heritage buildings, some affordable housing options, passive open space corridors and a former station," Cr Metcalf said.
"This plan seeks to promote the potential of Golden Square and guide the urban renewal of underutilised land, create employment opportunities, encourage new and diverse infill housing, and reinforce the importance of investment in the Golden Square Town Centre to deliver a vibrant commercial and community hub.
"The vision is for Golden Square to become a vibrant town centre with a mix of retail and commercial activities and high-density housing. To support this, the City will continue to advocate for reopening the train station, together with seeking funding for improved walking and cycling connections between the town centre, Bendigo Creek and Golden Gully Creek, which would help to unlock and renew underutilised land.
"A suite of documents provides a framework for the future growth and revitalisation of Golden Square to support the plan. The Urban Design Framework sets out an integrated vision for the Golden Square town centre and future station precinct, and guides its use and development.
"The background report supported the preparation of the Golden Square Framework Plan. It looked at the ways in which revitalisation, development and improvement of connection and services could enhance the liveability and wellbeing of the community, including through the promotion of housing diversity and economic growth."
The key actions from the Golden Square Structure Plan, Urban Design Framework and Heritage Study will be combined and undertaken as part of the Golden Square Planning Scheme Amendment C270gben. Subject to the Minister for Planning's authorisation, the Planning Scheme Amendment will be placed on public exhibition.
