Council is developing a city-wide land use strategy: Warrnambool Futures.
This strategy will define how and where development can occur across Warrnambool over the next 20-25 years, addressing next-generation opportunities and challenges while providing the community and developers with greater certainty.
The City’s most recent comprehensive land use strategy was prepared in 2004. A great deal of strategic work has been undertaken since then, including new housing, open space, environment, and economic development strategies. The City also has a comprehensive Community Vision (Warrnambool 2040), and its Council Plan.
Warrnambool Futures will update the land use strategy to reflect these other strategies to account for growth, change, and new issues that have emerged since the previous strategy.
The final plan will ensure that the form and function of Warrnambool City and its smaller townships (Allansford, Dennington, Bushfield and Woodford) and rural communities are planned and then developed so as to:
- Strike an appropriate balance between accommodating growth and change while preserving the municipality’s unique natural elements, such as productive agricultural lands, and coastal and riparian environments.
- Maximize the quality of life and well-being for community members by providing environments that foster active living, interaction, and communal activities.
- Improve the alignment of infrastructure delivery including transport, and community service facilities with land use and development.
- Mitigate environmental impacts resulting from future developments, especially in terms of carbon emissions, water and energy use, and biodiversity protection, protection of vistas and scenic view lines.
- Facilitate efficient movement for all community members across the city to access amenities and employment centres.
The project consists of eight stages, including:
- Project inception.
- State of Warrnambool report.
- Preliminary engagement plan.
- Technical analysis and discussion paper.
- Scenario development and strategic directions.
- Draft strategic plan development Open for comment June 2026
- Implementation document and finalization.
Council anticipates the delivery date for the Warrnambool Futures Project is by September 2026, where many stages will invite public participation and feedback.
Consultant SGS Economics and Planning is assisting Council with the development of the strategy.
For more information contact the Strategic Planner Morteza Mirgholami on 5559 4800 or mmirgholami@warrnambool.vic.gov.au