Nillumbik Shire Council has voted unanimously to adopt the final Neighbourhood Character Strategy (NCS), which aims to guide new development in the Shire, ensuring it respects and responds to our unique local neighbourhood character.
The strategy, which was presented at the 12 December council meeting, covers all residential areas across the Shire, including the rural townships.
Nillumbik Mayor, Ben Ramcharan said that Nillumbik residents were very passionate about where they lived and how they lived, and thanked everyone who provided feedback during the extensive three-year consultation process.
"What we have heard from the community is the strong desire to protect where we live - not just the plants and animals, but also the feel and the character of what makes Nillumbik such a special place to be," Cr Ramcharan said.
Councillors acknowledged during the 12 December meeting that the NCS goes hand in hand with other strategies currently in development, including the Biodiversity Strategy, the Urban Tree Canopy Strategy and particularly the Housing Strategy, all of which will be open for community feedback in the first half of 2024.
The NCS and Housing Strategy are dependent upon one another in informing Nillumbik's residential framework, and as a result an amendment to implement both the NCS and the Housing Strategy (together) into the planning scheme will happen through late 2024 and into 2025, with the completion of council's Housing Strategy.
