Cardinia Shire Council have developed a draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy, incorporating valuable community input gathered during the initial community consultation phase.
The draft strategy focuses on preserving the unique character of Nar Nar Goon while reflecting the community's aspirations to enhance the township. It also recognises Nar Nar Goon's status as 'The Mural Town' and recognising the murals as a defining feature of its cultural identity.
Between May and June 2025, Council engaged with Nar Nar Goon residents and the broader community to gather insights on how they envision the future of Nar Nar Goon. Community feedback clearly expressed a strong desire to protect Nar Nar Goon's rural character and village feel. In response, the draft Township Strategy focuses on preserving what people love about the town.
The draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy does not propose any rezoning, instead, the strategy supports modest infill development in appropriate locations, particularly near the railway station and town centre where services and infrastructure already exist. To ensure new development fits seamlessly into the existing character and streetscape, the draft strategy introduces Urban Design Guidelines within Preferred Character Precincts. These tools set clear expectations around building height, setbacks, landscaping, and architectural style, helping to maintain the unique identity of Nar Nar Goon as it grows.
The draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy reinforces that the township boundary cannot be expanded. The township is entirely surrounded by Green Wedge land, which is protected under strict state and local planning controls. These policies are in place to preserve the area's environmental, agricultural, and landscape values, and they prevent any outward growth of the township.
The draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy aims to create a sustainable and cohesive environment that respects the existing neighbourhood qualities. It focuses on improving public spaces, revitalising commercial areas, enhancing connectivity, and strengthening the natural environment, all while safeguarding the unique identity that Nar Nar Goon offers its residents.
Council is now asking the community to come together again to help refine the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy. Community voices have been instrumental in shaping this draft strategy, and the Council is now seeking feedback on the draft Vision, Design Guidelines (within particular Preferred Character Precincts) and a range of objectives and strategies across six themes: housing, township identity, local economy, climate and sustainable environments, connectivity and movement, and community and culture. Council is seeking to understand preferences regarding the types of initiatives and actions to include in the final strategy and implementation plan. This will ensure that the final implementation plan is evidence-based, locally responsive, and community-focused.
All residents and community members are encouraged to participate in the next round of consultation, as feedback is vital to ensure the final Township Strategy reflects the values, needs, and aspirations of the Nar Nar community and help create a shared vision that benefits everyone.
