Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy
The Draft Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy is now on public exhibition. We invite you to review the draft and make a submission before it is considered for adoption at a future Council meeting.
ABOUT THIS STRATEGY
Indigo Shire is growing, at around 1.25% per year, that's approximately 200 new residents every year.
Our communities have told us they value sustainable living, environmental care, climate action, and strong community pride. You've also been clear that each of our towns has its own character and identity that deserves to be recognised and protected.
The Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy will be our first-ever strategy to guide how our towns grow and change over the next 25+ years to 2051. It responds to the State Government's target of 3,100 additional homes in Indigo Shire by 2051, while ensuring that growth complements what communities already value about where they live.
The strategy will:
- Assess housing trends and forecast where growth is likely to occur across our townships
- Set a shared vision for the future that reflects community needs and values
- Provide the strategic foundation for future land use decisions
- Establish clear policy direction for planning decisions about residential, industrial, community facilities and services
- Include an implementation plan with specific actions and timelines
What this strategy won't do:
- Rezone any land, it provides the strategic justification that may lead to rezoning through separate future processes
- Make recommendations about rural land use or farming
HOW WE GOT HERE — YOUR CONTRIBUTION
This draft strategy has been shaped by extensive community and stakeholder engagement. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Community survey: More than 270 survey responses were received during earlier consultation, sharing views on housing, growth, and what makes each township unique.
Drop-in sessions: Well-attended community sessions were held at locations across the shire, giving residents the opportunity to talk directly with Council staff.
Written submissions: Submissions were received from residents, service agencies and referral authorities, providing additional depth and breadth of perspective.
The findings from this engagement, along with detailed background on housing trends, population change and infrastructure, are documented in the Discussion Paper and Community Engagement Findings, available under Documents on this page.
REVIEW THE DRAFT STRATEGY
We encourage you to read both documents before making a submission:
- Draft Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy(available under Documents)
- Discussion Paper and Community Engagement Findings(available under Documents)
Refer to the FAQs for further information about the strategy and the public exhibition process.
MAKE A SUBMISSION
Public exhibition is open until 5pm Friday 14 August 2026.
Submissions can be made by emailing Grace Perry, Strategic Planner: info@indigoshire.vic.gov.au
All submissions received during the public exhibition period will be carefully considered by Council.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
- Public exhibition closes - 5pm Friday 14 August 2026
- Submissions considered - Council will carefully review all submissions received
- Council adoption - Council will consider adopting the final Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy at an upcoming Council meeting
- Implementation begins - Once adopted, Council will begin delivering the actions in the strategy, with regular progress updates provided to the community
