Following a thorough consultation program with local residents and stakeholders, a draft masterplan has been developed for the historic goldmining township of Walhalla. Now, Baw Baw Shire Council is inviting all parties to review the draft plan and provide final feedback and insight before it is finalised and adopted.
The Walhalla Masterplan aims to support a thriving future for the historic township by clearly identifying infrastructure gaps, providing specific recommendations to address the gaps, and determining the agency/agencies responsible for delivering them.
In preparing the draft Masterplan, consultation began in December 2022 with a survey for all stakeholders to begin determining broad themes and common issues. The findings of the survey were used to design a series of in-person workshops and discussions.
Throughout January and February 2023, a background report was prepared and workshops were held with stakeholders to work through details, identify specific issues and agree on principles for a draft Masterplan.
Stakeholders consulted included:
- Walhalla residents
- Walhalla Board of Management Incorporated
- Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Tourism Association
- Walhalla Heritage and Development League
- Walhalla Long Tunnel Extended Mine
- Broader community members
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA, formerly DELWP)
- Regional Roads Victoria
- Visitors and tourism operators
With the input gathered from the consultation process, the draft Masterplan has been developed and is now available for community review and final refinement.
“Once adopted, this Masterplan with form the strategic foundation on which Council, community groups, and other agencies can bring to life the community’s vision for the town,” says Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe. “It will provide a consistent and consolidated guide to exactly how we will prioritise the infrastructure needs of Walhalla and develop the area to its full potential as a tourism destination in Baw Baw and the wider Gippsland region.”
Final feedback on the draft Masterplan is being accepted now until 31 July 2023 via Council’s website at .
