2012 Bellarine 2050,

OUR PLACE, OUR FUTURE

Forum 2 on the future of the Bellarine Peninsula

 
2012  FORUM II – The WAY FORWARD

A BLUEPRINT for the future development of the Bellarine Peninsula will move a step closer to completion this week.

A forum on Friday, 4th July 2012 at the Clifton Springs Golf Club, hosted by the Committee for Bellarine, is the second phase in the drafting of the Bellarine 2050 Masterplan.

 MLC Western Victoria: Simon Ramsay

 

 

Committee executive director Tom O’Connor said forecasts of a population explosion on the Bellarine has added urgency to the drafting of a master plan.

The plan will detail a wide range of complex social, industrial and administrative challenges associated with the effects of future growth.

He said Bureau of Statistics projections show 140,000 people almost treble the current number will call the Peninsula home by 2050. The masterplan will examine how the various residential, industrial, education and recreational issues should be identified and dealt with.

Those attending the forum will include business and community leaders, local councillors, police and emergency services and members of community organisations.

Mr O’Connor said his group would also meet with experts from Marcus Oldham College to discuss future employment strategies.

“We need to develop job opportunities linked to the many strengths of the Bellarine,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It is important we recognise and preserve the natural resources of the peninsula and the offshore potential.”

He said the employment potential of the equine, agriculture and aquaculture sectors would be high on the agenda.

The committee is also due to meet with Planning Minister Matthew Guy later this week.

“We will be looking at the urban design framework as it applies to the various towns on the Bellarine,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The future requirements for retail and service industries, public transport and roads will form the basis of that discussion.”

 

 

Among the expert key note speakers due to address the forum is urban design consultant Professor Paul Carter.