The April edition of Surf Coast Shire Council's newsletter, "Groundswell", contains a major section on Winchelsea. It includes details of investments in Winchelsea and plans for Winchelsea's growth. Read more for the full articles on Winchelsea, or download the complete Groundswell as a PDF.

Proudly Investing in Winchelsea

Surf Coast Shire is continuing to invest in the development of community infrastructure and facilities in Winchelsea; spearheading the town’s growth and development

Since 2002, Council has invested around $2m in capital works including much needed recreation facilities that are now some of the best in the Shire. Many of these projects have received additional funding from State and Federal Government; and been completed with significant community contributions.

Major projects include the refurbishment of Winchelsea Swimming Pool, several new facilities and developments at Eastern Reserve including restoring the memorial grandstand, a new netball precinct and supplying recycled water; purchasing and upgrading the Winchelsea SES Building, transfer station upgrades and a series of road and capital works projects.

Mayor, Cr Libby Coker, said it was great to see community involvement in projects like upgrades to Eastern Reserve. “These great facilities are a legacy of what Council and community achieve, together,” Cr Coker said.

Cr Coker said Council would continue to work with State and Federal Governments to secure more infrastructure to help provide new housing, residential and economic opportunities in Winchelsea. “We’re grateful for the assistance of local member Darren Cheeseman in securing the duplication of the Princes Highway and to local State Upper House Member Gayle Tierney for her assistance in developing Eastern Reserve.

“Council is now involved in planning processes to open up industrial land for further growth. We’re also particularly keen to secure a piped natural gas supply for Winchelsea; which we have raised as a major priority with the Victorian Government during its recent community cabinet in Torquay.

“Given a major gas pipeline runs around 2km from Winchelsea, a connection would be a common-sense measure that would reap great benefits for Winchelsea residents including job opportunities, better living and services. Aside from providing funding for projects and community facilities, Council has a major advocacy role in continuing to grow Winchelsea. Council will continue to push piped natural gas as a major item of interest.”

Planning for Winchelsea's Growth

As part of Council’s efforts to plan for future land use in Winchelsea, Council is preparing a Master Plan for the Winchelsea Industrial Estate to provide a strategic framework for land use and development in the estate and to facilitate increased investment and activity.
The master plan will focus on:

• Improving the aesthetic appeal and visual presence of the estate
• Enhancing the highway frontage
• Improving access to the estate
• Investigating the opportunity for rezoning of land on the south side of the highway to a business zone to allow for bulky goods retailing and associated businesses.

An analysis of industrial land supply and demand, environmental assets, infrastructure and opportunities for future development has been prepared following consultation with land and business owners and other stakeholders. The next step in the process is the preparation of a draft Master Plan, which will be put on public exhibition to invite feedback from the community.

Traffic management and vehicle access were major issues arising during consultation, as was the lack of signage and awareness of the industrial estate, particularly for businesses in the northwest corner along Alsop Drive, and  estate’s appearance. Some of the solutions that are currently being investigated to address the issues that have been identified include:

• Improve access through road and intersection upgrades
• Create a coherent image and identity through design guidelines, landscaping and signage
• Enhance the highway frontage and visibility / exposure
• Improve the visual amenity of the estate
• Improve identification and directional signage
• Subdivide larger lots to increase supply of available land
• Establish a name/brand/image for the estate
• Rezone land on the south side of the highway to a business zone

Expansion of residential development has begun as earmarked in the Winchelsea Structure Plan Council completed in 2004.