Structure Plan for Shepparton North

Greater Shepparton City Council (Council) has commenced the preparation of a structure plan for Shepparton North.

Background

Shepparton North is experiencing strong population growth and significant investment in infrastructure, particularly planning for arterial road projects and stormwater drainage infrastructure, in recent years.

The Shepparton North Activity Centre (SNAC) was identified in the Commercial Activity Centres Strategy, November 2015 (CACS) and, subsequently, designated a sub-regional activity centre in the retail hierarchy of the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme. This is the same status as Riverside Plaza and Mooroopna CBD. The CACS identified the SNAC as comprising land between Ford Road and Hawkins Street on the eastern side of Numurkah Road. Further expansion of retail and commercial facilities are required in the future to serve the growing population of Shepparton North.

Council has prepared the Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan to guide future development and support the transformation of Shepparton North into a fully functioning activity centre.

Key Issues and Opportunities Paper

In November 2021, Council engaged Mesh Liveable Urban Communities Pty Ltd (Mesh) to prepare a Structure Plan for Shepparton North. The Structure Plan will guide the future development of the SNAC for predominantly retail and commercial purposes whilst also investigating the wider Shepparton North Area. This will better ensure that the Structure Plan it provides appropriate connections to surrounding commercial, recreational and residential areas in the wider Shepparton North area.

To inform the Structure Plan, One Mile Grid Pty Ltd was subcontracted by Mesh to identify existing issues, constraints and opportunities for the local and arterial traffic network. Geografia Pty Ltd was also subcontracted by Mesh to provide technical advice on retail, commercial and industrial economics, including an audit and analysis on floor space area and office demand.

An indicative boundary for the Structure Plan was prepared by Council, which comprises:

  • all commercial land on both sides of (Numurkah Road) Goulburn Valley Highway between Ford Road and Pine Road;
  • residential interface areas, including the recently constructed ‘The Vines’ residential estate;
  • commercial and industrial land on the western and eastern sides of Numurkah Road (Goulburn Valley Highway) between Pine Road and Ford Road / Wanganui Road; and
  • the Shepparton Sports City, and the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre.

Mesh has prepared Key Issues and Opportunities Paper. The Key Issues and Opportunities Paper gathers and synthesises all background research, and key issues and themes raised in submissions. The Key Issues and Opportunities Paper also outlines:

  • Council’s aspirations for the role and function of Shepparton North;
  • key influences informing the growth of Shepparton North (e.g., growth constraints, etc.);
  • the role of key land uses;
  • how development can positively contribute to the growth of the area;
  • what form commercial and residential development should take; and
  • what the issues and opportunities for the transport network are.

Download the Key Issues and Opportunities Paper

Once complete, a planning scheme amendment will be prepared to implement the Structure Plan in the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme.

Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan

Mesh has prepared the Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan to guide development and ensure that Shepparton North is transformed into a fully functioning activity centre. The Structure Plan responds to key structural changes, issues, opportunities, and merging challenges that were identified in the Key Issues and Opportunities Paper, and guides future investment and development in the area while achieving planning and urban design objectives. This includes:

  • Identifying potential sites for new supermarkets
  • Facilitating new commercial and retail development
  • Facilitating new mixed use and residential development
  • Guiding new vehicle and pedestrian links
  • Creating more open space
  • Allowing for provision of car parking

Next Steps

The Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 21 March 2023. Council will now commence a planning scheme amendment process to implement the findings of the Shepparton North Structure Plan into the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme.

Timeline

Indicative timeline for the Structure Plan is below:

  • 2021 – early-2022Information gathering and background analysis
  • 21 February – 21 March 2022 Pre-draft consultation with the community, landowners and key stakeholders
  • April 2022Preparation of an Key Issues and Opportunities Paper
  • September – October 2022 Community, landowner and key stakeholder consultation on the findings of the Key Issues and Opportunities Paper
  • March 2023Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan adopted by Council
  • Mid-Late 2023Planning Scheme Amendment to implement the Shepparton North Activity Centre Structure Plan